by Mark Young
We all look for different things as we enter the cinema. Some are looking for amazing technical skill, others are looking for a good story, still others for relatable characters, but all are looking for a good time. Pompeii is all of these and more.
The movie is based around the sudden volcano eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In 79AD the eruption was recorded in great detail in a series of letters by Pilney the younger. The disaster happened so suddenly that the town was preserved in the moment of destruction and gives us a snapshot look of Roman first century life.
The destruction of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii has captured the imaginations of historians and archeologists for hundreds of years. The scale of the disaster that happened in Pompeii provides several unique challenges to its presentation on the big screen. Paul W. S. Anderson, director of the Resident Evil Movie Series, chose to take on these challenges and has provided his audience with an amazing spectacle that raises the bar for disaster movies.
Pompeii stars Kit Harington, from Game of Thrones, as Milo a young slave turned gladiator. Milo hates his Roman overlords and hopes to take revenge on the men that killed his parents and wiped out his entire tribe. On the slave march to Pompeii Milo meets Cassia the wealthy daughter of the Roman aristocracy, played by Emily Browning known for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and Sucker Punch. An instant connection is formed and strengthened as Milo and Cassia’s paths continue to cross. The story comes to a head as the Roman officer who killed Milo’s family arrives and forces his will on slave and free persons.
Pompeii is a spectacle to behold. The special effects are top notch, and the action will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters have been accused of being one-dimensional, but this is done more to advance the story and allow you to quickly grasp the plot than out of bad writing. Besides how many dimensions of a person can you see in a film that spans the history of one day? Pompeii is an exciting action film that can keep you guessing at the ending even with the foreknowledge of the city’s impending doom.
The movie is based around the sudden volcano eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In 79AD the eruption was recorded in great detail in a series of letters by Pilney the younger. The disaster happened so suddenly that the town was preserved in the moment of destruction and gives us a snapshot look of Roman first century life.
The destruction of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii has captured the imaginations of historians and archeologists for hundreds of years. The scale of the disaster that happened in Pompeii provides several unique challenges to its presentation on the big screen. Paul W. S. Anderson, director of the Resident Evil Movie Series, chose to take on these challenges and has provided his audience with an amazing spectacle that raises the bar for disaster movies.
Pompeii stars Kit Harington, from Game of Thrones, as Milo a young slave turned gladiator. Milo hates his Roman overlords and hopes to take revenge on the men that killed his parents and wiped out his entire tribe. On the slave march to Pompeii Milo meets Cassia the wealthy daughter of the Roman aristocracy, played by Emily Browning known for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and Sucker Punch. An instant connection is formed and strengthened as Milo and Cassia’s paths continue to cross. The story comes to a head as the Roman officer who killed Milo’s family arrives and forces his will on slave and free persons.
Pompeii is a spectacle to behold. The special effects are top notch, and the action will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters have been accused of being one-dimensional, but this is done more to advance the story and allow you to quickly grasp the plot than out of bad writing. Besides how many dimensions of a person can you see in a film that spans the history of one day? Pompeii is an exciting action film that can keep you guessing at the ending even with the foreknowledge of the city’s impending doom.
