Jason and the Argonauts

A re-viewing of a classic from childhood. There is so much about this movie that is thoroughly impressive. The film’s most famous elements, the Ray Harryhausen effects, are worth the effort to watch it alone. The script is remarkably faithful to the original Greek myth, unlike so many other adaptations that play fast and loose with a well-known story. Even the acting is quite good here, which is unusual for many of your b class mid-century swords and sandals epics. Special props go to Honor Blackman as Hera (you remember her as Goldfinger's Pussy Galore); she gives the story a lot of its vibrancy, especially early on. Todd Armstrong is convincing as well as Jason; you believe him as a guy who combines both brawn and brains and can pull off a dazzling feat or two. Mostly, though, the stars of this show are those effects: the skeleton soldiers, Talos the living statue, the Harpies and the Hydra. It’s one hell of a show, the sort of flick that could make a young boy understand just how awesome movies can be. This is no serious study of suburban angst, and thank goodness! It’s more like what cinema was made for: a great story told with fabulous visuals and exciting action. If you too are on a quest for a great treasure, this is where you’ll find it.