By Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
Playing in theaters starting since Good Friday, April 02, 2010
'Clash of the Titans' (2010)
Source:
http://www.imdb.com.
The movie is rated PG-13 for
extensive scenes of violence.
The run time is 118 min.
Main Cast:
Sam Worthington - Perseus
Liam Neeson - Zeus
Ralph Fiennes - Hades
Alexa Davalos - Andromeda
TRAILER FOR CLASH OF THE TITANS:
PLOT SYNOPSIS: 'Clash of the Titans' is about the tension between the humans
and the gods that took credit for creating them. In that tension, it
gives rise to Hades (played by Ralph Fiennes), the greek god of the underworld who wants to
destroy the human race. He is given permission by Zeus (played by
Liam Neeson), the god of the
heavens except Perseus (played by Sam Worthington), an
half-god, half-human goes on a perilous journey to save Andromeda (played by the beautiful Alexa Davalos) from being sacrificed and hopes to
save the human race from destruction from the gods.
CONTENT REVIEW:
'Clash of the Titans' has a lot of fantasy violence in it
and addresses issues such as man's place in this world, redemption,
sacrifice, leadership, heaven v.s. hell, good v.s. evil, God v.s. Satan,
etc
PLOT REVIEW: 'Clash of the Titans' is a mythological adventure that
raises excellent questions and points for discussion in a post-modern
generation. It is very well scripted from beginning to end bringing the
importance of the role of man, the role of God, and the role of Satan
and reminds us of many biblical connections that stand out when seen in
the light of God's Word, the Holy Bible.
RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
BIBLICAL REMINDERS: (SPOILER
ALERT)
Spoiler Alert I:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’, we see a funeral casket floating across
the ocean. A fisherman who comes across it, opens it and finds an infant
boy there. This boy is adopted by the fisherman as a woman on land
watches.
This reminds me of
the biblical story of an infant who is sent across the river in a closed
basket.
“But when she could
hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with
tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the
reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see
what would happen to him. Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile
to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw
the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. She opened
it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is
one of the Hebrew babies," she said.” When the child grew older, she
took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him
Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water." (Exodus 1:3-6, 10, NIV)
Spoiler Alert II:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’,
we see the boy grow up and become the leader of the Greeks. His name is Perseus.
This reminds me of
the biblical story of Moses who became the leader of the Israelites.
“Pharaoh sent for
Moses and Aaron during the night. “Get out!” he ordered. “Leave my
people—and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the
Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you said, and
be gone.” (Exodus 12:31, NLT)
Spoiler Alert III:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’,
we see the humans going their own way and doing their own things
bringing destruction upon themselves especially when they decided to be
self-reliant and smash the statue of Zeus, who was seen as their creator
and god. This gave Hades, an opportunity to destroy the humans.
This reminds me of
the biblical story of Adam and Eve who were in a right relationship with
God, their Creator until they decided to go their own way by listening
to the serpent instead of what God had commanded them. This brought sin
into their own lives.
“Then the Lord God
asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she
replied. “That’s why I ate it.” (Genesis 3:13, NIV)
Spoiler Alert IV:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’,
we see the humans wanting to separate themselves from Zeus, who is seen
as their creator thinking they can do better without him. Then they reap
the consequences when they go up against Zeus. Zeus just laughs
realizing the fragility of man.
This reminds me of
the biblical Psalm 2 of what happens when humans separate themselves
from the Lord God, their Creator.
“Why do the nations
conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their
stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his
Anointed One. "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off
their fetters." The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at
them.” (Psalm 2:1-4, NIV)
Spoiler Alert V:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’,
we see Zeus, as the creator of humans.
This reminds me of
the biblical story of creation where the Lord God is the One who created
all humans.
“Then God said, "Let
us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the
fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all
the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So
God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be
fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over
the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living
creature that moves on the ground." (Genesis 1:26-28, NIV)
Spoiler Alert VI:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’,
we see Hades, who was banished into the underworld and became its god.
The underworld is filled with unquenchable fire.
This reminds me of
the biblical account of the fall of Lucifer, also called the Satan,
Serpent, Devil, who is banished into Hell also known as Hades.
“Hell from beneath
is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead
for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from
their thrones all the kings of the nations. How art thou fallen from
heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the
ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine
heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars
of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides
of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be
like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides
of the pit. (Isaiah 14:9, 12-15, KJV)
“Then death and
Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second
death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he
was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14, NIV)
Spoiler Alert VII:
In ‘Clash of the Titans'
we see Perseus, who learns that he is a god and man at the same time.
This reminded me of
the biblical story of Jesus who is God and the Son of Man at the same
time.
“In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God
in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing
was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the
light of men….The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-4, 14 NIV)
Spoiler Alert VIII:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’
we see Zeus who looks down from Olympus to see if anyone would worship
him but all have turned away not wanting to believe.
This reminds me of
the biblical story of us humans who have turned away from God who looks
down from Heaven to see if anyone would worship him but all have turned
away.
“The fool says in his
heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there
is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of
men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have
turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who
does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:1-3, NIV)
“What shall we
conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the
charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who
understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have
together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The
poison of vipers is on their lips." “Their mouths are full of cursing
and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery
mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know." "There is no
fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:9-18, NIV)
Spoiler Alert IX:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’
we see that Hades asks for a blood sacrifice of a missionary to save the
human race from judgment.
This reminds me of
the biblical story of how Jesus Christ, became the blood sacrifice to
save the human race from judgment to all those who believe.
“This righteousness
from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There
is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that
came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,
through faith in his blood.” (Romans 3:22-25a, NIV)
Spoiler Alert X:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’
we see a missionary who is tied up with hands stretched on each side and
legs put together to become the sacrifice to save the human race.
This reminds me of
the biblical story of how Jesus Christ, came to earth as God-incarnate
to die upon the cross for humanity to save all those that would put
their trust in Him.
“He is the image of
the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all
things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all
things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in
him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the
church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so
that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to
have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to
himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by
making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20,
NIV)
Spoiler Alert XI:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’
we see a dragon who is unleashed by Hades to destroy the world until Perseus intervenes and destroys the dragon and sends Hades back into the
underworld.
This reminds me of the biblical account of the dragon and Hades
mentioned in Revelation and how Jesus conquered the dragon and Satan.
“The great dragon
was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who
leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels
with him.” (Revelation 12:9, NIV)
“And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming
out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his
horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.” (Revelation 13:1-3, NIV)
“He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,
and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and
locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations
anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set
free for a short time.” (Revelation 20:2, NIV)
Spoiler Alert XII:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’,
we see that the gods are fueled by the prayers of the humans they
created. The more the humans pray, the more the gods are strengthened
This reminds me of the biblical account where it is the total opposite.
We are strengthened by our prayers to the Lord Jesus on whom we place
our faith in.
“For this reason,
ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for
all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering
you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,
so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has
called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and
his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the
working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he
raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,
and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also
in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and
appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his
body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians
1:15-23, NIV)
Spoiler Alert XIII:
In ‘Clash of the Titans’,
we see different gods of whom the people of Argos were asked to give
their allegiance to.
This reminds me of the biblical account of a missionary named Paul who
set the record straight for the Greeks in Areopagus who were worshipping
idols.
“Paul then stood up
in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in
every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked
carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this
inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something
unknown I am going to proclaim to you." "The God who made the world and
everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in
temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he
needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and
everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they
should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them
and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men
would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is
not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our
being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the
divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's
design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he
commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he
will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has
given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." (Acts
17:22-31, NIV)
Questions to Ponder
- General:
1. What character in the movie do you most identify with and why?
2. What character in the movie do you least identity with and why?
3. What did you like most about the movie?
4. What did you least like about the movie?
5. What questions does this movie raise in your mind and how have you
resolved them? What can God's Word reveal to you based on your questions
raised from the movie?
6. What scene in the movie affected you the most and what did you take away from this movie?
7. In what ways can this movie be an evangelistic tool to talk about
Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God? Please cite examples from the
movie!
Questions
to Ponder - Specific:
1. What did the fisherman do with what was given
him and what are you supposed to do with what the Lord gives you?
2. What does 'Clash of the Titans' reveal about
adopted parents and their child? How is it similar or different to when
you are adopted into the family of God?
3. What
do we learn from Zeus, the Greek god of the Heavens and how is his
personality and nature different from the God of the Bible?
4. What do we learn from Hades, the Greek god of
the underworld and how is his nature similar to Satan mentioned in the
Bible?
5. What do we learn about Perseus, the half-god,
half-man and how is his nature different from Jesus, who has the
characteristics of divinity and humanity as mentioned in the Bible?
6. What do we learn about Andromeda, the
missionary and how are her actions in support of what the Bible teaches?
7. Why should watching 'Clash of the Titans' draw
us closer to Jesus who is God? What are the qualities of Jesus, the Lord
of Heaven and Earth that should draw us closer to Him compared to the
Greek gods seen in the movie and mentioned as idols in the Scripture of
the Holy Bible?
8. Why should watching 'Clash of the Titans'
remind us to keep away from Satan, the prince of darkness and the ruler
of Hell? What are the qualities of Satan that should keep us away from
him as seen in the movie and reminders from Scripture?
9. What role should you be giving the Lord God in
your life right now?
10. Why does Jesus, the God of Heaven and Earth
want to have a personal relationship with you and how will you respond?
Source: