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CLASH Film #21: The Odyssey, Animal Farm + Moana
Clash's latest film column reviews three releases: Christopher Nolan's ambitious epic The Odyssey, Andy Serkis's animated take on Animal Farm, and a live-action remake of Disney's Moana. The Odyssey, Nolan's follow-up to Oppenheimer, receives by far the strongest praise, while the other two films fare less well, reflecting a mixed few weeks for cinema releases with one clear standout amid more formulaic offerings.
Starring Matt Damon as Odysseus alongside Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, The Odyssey scores 9/10, praised for its scale, performances and willingness to tackle an unconventional subject for a summer blockbuster. Animal Farm, featuring the voices of Seth Rogen, Laverne Cox and Glenn Close, scores only 4/10 for softening Orwell's dark political satire into a lighter family-friendly production. Moana, starring Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga'aia, is described as a near-identical live-action copy of the 2016 animated original, continuing Disney's pattern of remaking its classics for profit.
In short
- Nolan's The Odyssey earns a glowing 9/10 review from Clash.
- Animal Farm animated adaptation scores just 4/10, called too soft.
- Moana live-action remake criticised as a near-copy of the original.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Orwell's Animal Farm derives its power from darkness and disillusionment; lightening it for family audiences dilutes the work's political critique at its core. Likewise, studios' pattern of remaking successful recent animated films represents risk-averse capital seeking guaranteed returns rather than genuine artistic ambition, displacing original voices in the process.
The case against
Adaptations necessarily involve reimagining works for new audiences and mediums; a family-friendly Animal Farm makes Orwell accessible to younger viewers whilst the original remains available to all. Live-action remakes can offer fresh artistic perspectives, employ more diverse casts, and create new interpretations of beloved stories, enriching rather than diminishing cinema.
Explained simply
CLASH is a film column that reviews cinema releases. This edition covers three major recent films: Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Andy Serkis's animated adaptation of Animal Farm, and a live-action remake of Disney's Moana. The reviews assess these releases across different genres and types of cinema.
The Odyssey is Nolan's latest project following his film Oppenheimer, and stars Matt Damon as Odysseus alongside Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson. Animal Farm is an animated film featuring Seth Rogen, Laverne Cox and Glenn Close, adapting George Orwell's political satire. Moana is Disney's live-action remake of its 2016 animated film, starring Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga'aia.
Such reviews help audiences navigate what's currently in cinemas and understand critical perspectives on these major releases. This can guide viewers in choosing which films match their interests and expectations.