Gods Of Egypt
Horus show
released OUT NOW! 12a | 127 minutes Director alex Proyas Cast Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Brenton Thwaites, elodie Yung, Gerard Butler
It must have seemed a good idea on papyrus. Take a Game Of Thrones star, pit him against the lead of 300, add a love resurrection subplot to remind everyone the same director made The Crow, then sit back and count the gold. Unfortunately, the only gold Gods Of Egypt’s going to be associated with will be on multiple Razzies.
The plot is... familiar. Before King Osiris (Bryan Brown) has the chance to coronate his successor – son Horus (Nikolaj Coster Waldau) – evil uncle Set (Gerard Butler) stages a coup. Horus banishes himself, before teaming with a fantasy trope named Bek (Brenton Thwaites) to fight his way back. It’s basically The Lion King, but less realistic.
An unoriginal plot is far from the only problem. The CGI is overwhelming, constant and distracting. When Butler does one of his shouty speeches, it’s tough to take seriously cos there’s a giant cartoon scarab attached to a chariot fidgeting in the background. And the performances are all terrible. Elodie Yung somehow makes lines like “Don’t keep the Queen of Egypt waiting” sound unconvincing.
Alex Proyas attacked US critics for Egypt’s bad reviews, but we have no idea where his passion comes from. It’s embarrassing to watch, let alone have your name on. Avoid like the Ten Plagues.
Gods Of Egypt shares over 200 cast and crew members with Mad Max: Fury Road. If only it had the same director.