Christopher Nolan has created a massive, high-budget Hollywood project that looks incredibly grand. The first half is packed with massive historical action scenes, but Nolan uses a non-linear style of writing where he constantly jumps between past and present. While this looks very stylish and high-class, normal audience members might find it a bit confusing as there is almost no stable present tense. The 173-minute length is very heavy, and the pacing drops down significantly in the middle. The scenes where Odysseus gets stuck on an island with the lady Calypso (Charlize Theron) feel like a major lag and slow down the movie completely.

In the second half, the film gains good momentum when the story shifts to the witch Circe (Samantha Morton) and Odysseus' clever escapes. The climax is fully loaded with raw action as Odysseus enters his palace in disguise to take revenge. However, the biggest drawback of the movie is that it is emotionally very dry. The family bond between Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus is not established well. You appreciate the massive scale and the genius brain of Nolan, but your heart does not feel any pain or connection for the characters' suffering.

Technically, the movie is on an ultimate level. This is the first feature film shot entirely on real IMAX cameras, and the visuals of the burning city of Troy, the giant wooden horse on the beach, and the deep blue sea are absolutely stunning. Ludwig Göransson’s background music (BGM) is outstanding, providing a heavy, thumping theater experience. The sound design makes you feel the weight of every sword clash and wooden splash, easily covering up the lack of emotional depth.

Matt Damon: He has given a very mature and grounded performance. He does not play Odysseus like a typical muscular action hero; instead, he shows him as an old, tired, and guilt-ridden father. His eyes show the heavy pain of war beautifully.

Samantha Morton: She steals the show completely as the witch Circe. Her acting is bone-chilling and terrifying. She does not do over-the-top screaming but uses a quiet, creepy calm that makes her character the scariest part of the film.

John Leguizamo: As the blind advisor Eumaeus, he is the real emotional heart of the film. His loyal waiting for his king is acted out so beautifully that it brings genuine tears to your eyes.

Robert Pattinson: He plays the main villain suitor Antinous with a very snide, proud, and irritating attitude. He makes the character so annoying that the audience will desperately wait for him to get beaten up in the climax.

Tom Holland: He is a major misfit in the movie. He is a good actor, but he looks too young and callow for the role of Telemachus. His modern American accent and soft look do not bring the heavy royal weight needed for this historical drama.

Anne Hathaway: She is decent as the suffering Queen Penelope, showing the right mix of sadness and strength, but her screen time is limited.

Lupita Nyong'o: She does a neat job in a double role as Helen and Clytemnestra, but her characters are written in a very hurried manner.

Zendaya: She looks incredibly graceful and divine as the Goddess Athena, but she only has very short visual cameo appearances with almost no solid scene.