From the 1981 production of ‘Clash Of The Titans’

I don’t have a strong connection to this film personally. There is no personal anecdote I can share about this one. It’s not one of my favorites, though I don’t dislike it. It has quite a bit going for it that makes for essential viewing, mainly in the visual effects department. Though another reason yet, is in its depiction of classic Greek myth.

My favorite books to read between ages 8 and 12 were about UFOs, Sherlock Holmes, short stories by Poe or King and Greek myths. Not necessarily because of ‘Clash Of The Titans’ (another one my parents would not let me watch), but when I did see it, I thought (and still do) the designs were great. Even as a kid, they were fairly outstanding. An understatement, to be sure, considering they are the work of the late, great, one and ONLY Ray Harryhausen.

I saw this film again recently at an Alamo Drafthouse Kids Club screening and the effects remain marvelous. Being that stop-motion has developed so much in the past few decades, I find it most gratifying that arguably the strongest work of the master has lost none of its lustre. The work has aged quite gracefully and Perseus’ confrontation with the Gorgon, Medusa is still effective as an eerie, suspenseful sequence. Above all, however is the charming design of mechanical owl, Bubo.

In a clear cut case of the Ourobouros effect, Bubo stands in for R2-D2 as the cutesy, seemingly gender-bendable robot who communicates through chirps, tweets and coos. He saves the heroes bacon just like Artoo, the character design is top-notch and is the clear favorite from most I’ve talked to about ‘Clash’.

And yet, the snake of pop culture has an insatiable appetite. Like Pac-Man, it just keeps eating and eating and eating..! Take a look at the start of arena battle in 2002’s ‘Attack Of The Clones’ where writer/director George Lucas makes it clear in no uncertain terms that Ray Harryhausen is the MAN.