Explosive Conclusion is the Fate for ‘Pompeii’

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HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – For a film in which everyone knows the ending walking in, “Pompeii” creates a decent good-versus-evil precursor to the volcanic big bang, and enough sword and sandals style fight sequences to provide some action. It all comes down to an active volcano, in modern digital design and 3D.

Although the screenplay is stiff and old fashion, there is something reliable about Kiefer Sutherland playing a Roman senator villain in 79 A.D., and it always seems like he’s having fun while he snarls. The story unwinds as a revenge scenario, as Sutherland’s character slaughtered an entire town as a military officer, and Milo the Celt – who later became a slave – saw it all as a child, including his parent’s demise. The pre-volcanic activities includes a comely Pompeii maiden, and it becomes a Roman holiday for all, at least before the big bang. The special effects are smashing, and the Mount Vesuvius explosion is appropriately pyrotechnic – it is a disaster movie, after all.

Milo (Kit Harrington) is from the Celtic Horse tribe of Britainia in the first century of the first millennia. As a child, his territory is raided by the ruthless Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland), and all the citizens are killed, including Milo’s parents. The boy is captured and sold into servitude, but grows into an expert gladiator-type fighter bent on revenge. His date with Pompeii are during the fights at the coliseum.

Emily Browning, Kit Harrington
Bad Timing for Love: Cassia (Emily Browning) and Milo (Kit Harrington) in ‘Pompeii’
Photo credit: TriStar Pictures

The second part of his destiny occurs here. Milo’s expertise with horses allows for an encounter with Cassia (Emily Browning), daughter of a high official in Pompeii. They have a connection, but Milo is taken in chains to the stadium for the battle, while Cassia’s father Severus (Jared Harris) is trying to cut a deal with the now Senator Corvus from Rome. To get his freedom and his love, Milo must fight the Romans, with his fellow slave Atticus (Adwale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). In the background, Mount Vesuvius is smoldering, readying its destructive power.

There is nothing new or dramatically different in this hero against villain toga party. The Romans are appropriately evil as depicted, ready either to dismiss the hicks in Pompeii or fight at the downturn of a thumb. They allow Milo to live far too long – in his role as a hero – but none of it is groan inducing. There seemed to be care in this production in recreating the era, and the actors have enough talent to portray their broad characters without too much commonality.

Kiefer Sutherland obviously relishes playing a villain, and does it with true cruelty as the brutal military man turned senator. The role is a mustache twirler, as old Kief is mean to Cassia (blackmailing her into a relationship), Severus (double crossing a business deal) and Milo (killing his parents). Had he some spare time between overseeing the gladiator matches, I’m sure he could have strangled some puppies, but he obviously relishes playing the bad guy.

The main couple, Milo and Cassia, have the beauty that all lovers need, and Kit Harrington and Emily Browning inject some life into the characters. They are supported grandly by Adwale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Atticus, a solid sidekick, and he had a appreciably defiant demise. Jared Harris (son of Richard) has established his credibility in a long career, and portrays the sad sack bureaucrat who shows some grit as Pompeii is going under.

Kiefer Sutherland
Hiss!: Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland) is the Villain in ‘Pompeii’
Photo credit: TriStar Pictures

The anticipation is in the destruction of Pompeii, and the film delivers that with a flourish. The ability to use digital technology in re-imagining history, time and place is as interesting as using it for fantasy. The Roman empire comes alive again, and then is destroyed all in vibrant 3D. That allows for the standard story to take an eventual back seat, which is interesting enough until the lava arrives, and also somewhat forgives the rigid dialogue.

This is a popcorn movie to cure the long winter of discontent. While reveling in the togas, chariots, maidens and gladiators, at the same time – despite all of the polar vortexes and snow squalls – at least it’s not a rain of fire. Now don’t you feel better?

“Pompeii” opens everywhere on February 21st. See local listings for 3D theaters and show times. Featuring Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Adewale Akinnouoye-Agbaje, Jared Harris, Carrie-Anne Moss and Kiefer Sutherland. Screenplay by Janet Scott Batchler, Lee Batchler and Michael Robert Johnson. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. Rated “PG-13”

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2014 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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