Take Two is a series from movie buffs Isabelle Curtis and Fritz Freudenberger to review entertainment options in the region. This month’s pick is 2026’s “The Odyssey,” directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland. The film is showing at the Harbor Theater until July 30.

Fritz: I'm going to skip the plot synopsis for this one. It's an almost 3,000-year-old story and, if there are spoilers here, you had your chance. I will say this: “The Odyssey” is, at its heart, a story about coming home. That includes the yearning, disappointment, anxiety and web of other emotional baggage packed for the trip.

I didn't really enjoy Nolan’s version. Somewhere in the second hour of this three-hour epic, I felt like Penelope, eager for her husband to return home to wrap up this ordeal. It lacked tension, and the pacing was erratic. We watched in great detail how the crew escaped the giant Cyclops. Later episodes received similar attention, while others were glossed over, filmed for no apparent reason other than to show the excitement of evading a new threat. Odysseus was steadfast and heartfelt in his mission, but I didn't feel compelled to follow him along the way.

I felt much of the movie fell flat. The big names either seemed to be phoning it in or not challenged enough. Matt Damon played Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway tried too many angles at once. I was most disappointed with Robert Pattinson, who played Antinous like a cartoon villain, all but missing a thin mustache to twirl. I most connected with Odysseus’ lieutenant. Himesh Patel's supporting role stole each scene for me.

That said, the film was technically masterful. Dramatic shots elicited a sense of awe for the grandeur of Ancient Greece and its fickle gods. The soundtrack, paired with the scenery, moved me more than most of the characters. It was simple and haunting. I later learned the composer used recreations of Ancient Greek instruments in its making. Kudos!

Ultimately, I felt that the film was technically masterful but lacked heart. Nolan flexed his brilliance but needed a foil to save him from himself. If you want a sprawling epic with gorgeous shots, larger-than-life action and scenery, but best watched with an intermission, give it a shot.

2.5/3 wooden horses

Is: I’m not sure who Matt Damon was portraying, but I don’t think it was Odysseus. Admittedly, I’m exaggerating, yet the man on screen didn’t feel like the same cunning, silver-tongued hero of Homer’s epic.

For instance, there’s an encounter in the original where Odysseus has repartee with the Cyclops, gives himself a false identity, and then tricks and maims the monster. He almost gets away with it, too, if not for his pride causing him to break the ruse. In Nolan’s version, the pair exchange no words. It's a moment of anger that gives Odysseus away. I don’t expect a one-to-one adaptation, but by cutting character-defining scenes, Nolan took something away from Odysseus and flattened his essence.

My other gripe is with the film’s visual and tonal language. It was boring to look at! Lifeless. Despite filming largely in the Mediterranean, the setting was giving Medieval Europe more than Ancient Greece. This is partly due to the costuming. Why are the men wearing pants with these flimsy leather skirts overtop? Again, the clothes don’t have to be historically accurate, but this choice felt like it was pandering to modern sensibilities rather than a creative choice.

I think the story’s divine elements (gods, monsters, magic, etc.) suffer from a preoccupation with realism in the same way the visuals do. Supernatural aspects are present–although most of the gods either are cut entirely or have reduced screen time– but they lack a fantastical, whimsical nature that I would expect.

On a brighter note, I thought Nolan’s overarching message brought an interesting, fresh take to the epic. Credit where credit is due (even if it wasn’t my favorite decision). The cast, soundtrack, fight scenes and practical/special effects were also stellar. Considering that “The Odyssey” has a near-perfect review score across platforms, chances are you’ll enjoy this film more than we did, so I encourage you to tune in and form your own opinion.

3/5 wooden horses