a byte of sci fi

The CGI, 3-D remake of Ray Harryhausen’s epic about Perseus and the Greek Gods The Clash of the Titans hits the theaters today, but the critics do not consider this one much of a Hommerian saga.  As of its opening day, the movie has only conjured up a 35% Fresh Rating at the Rotten Tomatoes site from the gods . . . er . . . I mean critics.  Following is the current consensus opinion on the movie:

An obviously affectionate remake of the 1981 original, Louis Leterrier’s Clash of the Titans doesn’t offer enough visual thrills to offset the deficiencies of its script.

Kirk Honeycutt of the Hollywood Reporter seemed to favor the movie in his review calling it “a fun digital ride through Greek mythology as humans clash with gods and monsters.”  Nick Setchfield of SFX Magazine was much less kind in his review saying “the first Clash Of The Titans had considerably more charm than this. Money can buy you technology but it can’t buy you magic.”  You can see the trailer for the movie at its official website and you can read more of the critics’ opinions at the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes page.

The 3-D animated How to Train Your Dragon opens today from Dreamworks about a viking teen who decides it would be better to be friends with dragons than try to slay them.  Critics have shown nearly unanimous approval for the movie so far as it has achieved a 94% Fresh Rating as of its opening day on the Rotten Tomatoes website.  Following is the current consensus opinion:

Boasting dazzling animation, a script with surprising dramatic depth, and thrilling 3-D sequences, How to Train Your Dragon soars.

In his review on Sci Fi Wire, Mike Szymanski notes that “The 3-D action sequences are as breathtaking as Avatar” and that “although it’s an exciting ride to an easily predictable yarn, this is one kids’ movie that is fun for everyone.”  And Mark Dujsik from Mark Reviews Movies comments that “There’s a level of purity to the storytelling of How to Train Your Dragon that’s rather refreshing.”  You can see the trailer for the movie at its official website and you can read more of the critics’ opinions at the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes page.

The Hot Tub Time Machine opens today about a group of men who travel back in time to the 1980’s with the use of a hot tub and it might have some interest for genre fans and/or anybody who grew up during that decade.  Critics, however, have been less than enthusiastic about the movie as it has only garnered a 62% Fresh Rating at the Rotten Tomatoes site so far.  Following is the consensus view on the movie:

Its flagrantly silly script — and immensely likable cast — make up for most of its flaws.

JimmyO from JoBlo’s Movie Emporium had these thoughts on the movie: “What we have here is a fun ride that will bring back memories for some, and bring laughs because of the ridiculous clothes and hair for others.”  Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal was less king in his review asking: “How bad must a movie be to be good fun? How dumb to be smart? Whatever the case, Hot Tub Time Machine doesn’t make the cut.” You can see the trailer for the movie at its official site and you read more of the critics’ reactions at the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes page.

Repo Men opens today about a future world where people can buy replacement organs but better make sure that they keep up with the payments on their new tissue otherwise the Repo Men will pay them a visit.  So far, the critics have been less than enamored by this movie as it has only managed a 19% Fresh Rating at the Rotten Tomatoes website.  Following is the consensus opinion on the movie:

Repo Men has an intriguing premise, as well as a likable pair of leads, but they’re wasted on a rote screenplay, indifferent direction, and mind-numbing gore.

Katey Rich of CinemaBlend.com had this to say about the movie in her review: “There’s a lot of style and even a little bit of substance in Repo Men, but not enough of either to hold the ludicrous plot in place.”  Drew McWeeny from HitFix was a bit kinder in his review saying “Jude Law and Forest Whitaker have surprisingly rich chemistry in the film, and despite one major storytelling stumble, it’s soulful enough to linger.”  You can read more of the critics’ reactions at the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes page.