Hi! This past weekend I enjoyed a fabulous viewing of the latest blockbuster, The Odyssey. I went into it not really knowing what to expect and, I admit, I was a bit ambivalent. Primarily because the almost three hour run time is daunting and I was worried I was going to have to go to the bathroom the whole time lol. I am pleased to report that I didn’t need a potty break once and that this lengthy flick simply breezed by. By the time it was over, it was like no time had passed at all and I was genuinely sad that it was done. It was SO good and I wanted more!! Before we begin our spoiler free discussion, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Odyssey for animal cruelty. You ready? Let’s go!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Odysseus, King of Ithaca, led the Trojan War and it is now time to make his way home to his wife and son, Penelope and Telemachus. It will be no easy feat to make his way back to his kingdom but he has his soldiers who are loyal and his love for his family to guide him home. And then… It all goes to Hades in a hand basket and for twenty years, everyone believes King Odysseus to be dead. In that time, Penelope is being courted to take up a new king but her heart only yearns for her husband. She confesses her fear of attacks on her kingdom to her son and Telemachus decides to go on his own adventure to locate his father.

Through interweaving story lines, we see Telemachus’s quest as well as what went so horribly wrong through Odysseus’s memories. On his journey home from war, he and his crew don’t just face the elements of hellacious storms and a lack of wind to sail, but mythical creatures that block their paths. They have run ins with a cyclops, Circe the witch, and sirens. One by one, his faithful soldiers are being killed off until it is only Odysseus left.

After years of travel, Odysseus falls under the care of Calypso who is a nymph and becomes infatuated with him. Rather than help him return home, she drugs him with an amnesia inducing flower. She denies Athena’s request to bring Odysseus home but does encourage him to remember what brought him to her in the first place. This could not come at a moment too soon as tensions raise in his kingdom for Penelope to select a new king. It is time for Odysseus to reign once more if he can make it back to Ithaca. Will he survive to return as husband, father, and king? Watch The Odyssey to find out!

I have no comments on The Odyssey but to sing its praises. The star studded cast was top tier and everyone was acting their hearts out. The cinematography? Moving. The scenery? Awe inspiring. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. Three hour movies can feel like they are dragging but The Odyssey plowed forward at such a rapid pace. The timing that Christopher Nolan created was spot on. Lulls in the story were instantly replaced by nonstop action and I was fully engrossed the entire time. In fact, it felt very similarly to watching a Lord Of The Rings movie, which was a delightful hit right in the nostalgia.

Christopher Nolan is a visionary and he guided his cast and crew with such care. The Odyssey is a HUGE story to tackle and everything about this movie felt so perfectly in place. I could tell that he put his heart and soul into making this movie and I could literally feel the tenderness with each passing scene. My favorite parts outside of all of the incredible performances was the cyclops and the visit to Circe’s island. Those parts were freaking crazy and I absolutely loved the way the cyclops looked. Honestly, I loved everything about this movie and would be more than happy to see it again. This is a flick that is a must see in theaters!!

I am going to award The Odyssey with the coveted ten out of ten stars. I seriously cannot recommend it enough and expect big things from it in the upcoming awards season!

What did you think about The Odyssey? What is your favorite lengthy movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah