Jason and the Argonauts [DVD]

This version of Jason and the Argonauts is not a remake of the classic 1963 Ray Harryhausen feature, but a new re-telling of the Greek legend. It takes just as many liberties with the saga, but--with a running time twice as long as the original--it packs in much more of the story, building to an exciting finale filled with betrayal, retribution and copious sword-play. Made by mini-series specialists Hallmark, who also produced a lavish version of Homer's The Odyssey (1997), only the rapid fades where the commercial breaks would be really give away the fact that this is a TV feature. The multinational cast is variable, and while Jason London is unhappily wooden in the title role, such stars as Denis Hopper and Frank Langella are good value, American accents aside. Coming straight from the big screen sword and sandal epic, Gladiator, Derek Jacobi adds sheer class, while Jolene Blalock makes a breathtaking debut as Medea. The visual atmosphere is strong; the superb cinematography varying between lush beauty and the stark, sun-bleached look of Pitch Black. Production values are excellent, with several increasingly powerful and spectacular action set-pieces incorporating outstanding (for TV) CGI effects, the whole being immeasurably lifted by British composer Simon Boswell's splendid musical score.--Gary S. Dalkin