Synopsis
“Pompeii” is a historical action film from 2014, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, who is particularly known for his work on the Resident Evil series. The movie attempts to combine a romance and a story of revenge with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. while also showcasing the gladiatorial battles from Ancient Rome.
The film begins with a scene showcasing the gruesome aftermath of a Celtic tribesman being slaughtered by Roman soldiers. A boy who witnesses the murder of his parents is taken as a slave to Rome, and he later becomes a powerful gladiator called Milo (“The Celt”), played by Kit Harington. Milo is known for being a fierce yet quiet gladiator, who is deeply pained by his past.
Fast forward a couple of years, and Milo is brought to the Roman city of Pompeii to partake in a gladiatorial competition. During the journey, he meets Cassia (Emily Browning), the daughter of a wealthy merchant family who had just returned from Rome. Their encounter, albeit brief, ignites an immediate yet forbidden attraction. Cassia is unwillingly married to the vicious Roman senator Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland), a man who is the reason for the destruction of Milo’s tribe.
In Pompeii, Milo confronts other gladiators, including the seasoned and imposing Atticus (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a gladiator who is nearing the end of his fights and believes he’s close to freedom. Atticus and Milo were initially rivals, but they eventually come to a mutual respect for each other’s honor and form a reluctant alliance.
As personal dramas unfold, a shadow of doom arises. Strange animal behavior along with unnatural weather patterns, and seismic tremors hint to the impending eruption. Soon, Mount Vesuvius erupts, showering the city with ominous ash, lava, and fire. Volcanic chaos ensues as the sky blackens with smoke, buildings collapse, and chaos brews.
As chaos erupts, Milo and Atticus fight to escape the city. At the same time, Milo tries to save Cassia, who was imprisoned by Corvus after declining his proposal. The climax features the desperate attempt to escape Pompeii’s volcanic cliffs, composed of collapsing structures, fiery duels, and high-stakes chariot chases, while trying to outrun pyroclastic surges.
No matter what they try, escape is futile. In the end, Milo and Cassia embrace and await the ash cloud that’s about to engulf them. Their tragic end is reminiscent of the Pompeii victims who were preserved by volcanic ash, symbolizing love and defiance against a tragic and climactic calamity.
Cast & Performances
Milo is performed by Kit Harington.
Airing off the success of Game of Thrones, Harington is now a ripped, revenge-filled gladiator. Though his lines are few and far between, his portrayal of the gladiator form carries a lot of the action SPF and his stunts are integral to the film.
Browning extends grace and dignity as Cassia, who is a mixture of selfless and selfish who is bound by her society’s values. Though her character does not go through much, she does have emotional depth which makes her a compelling character.
Kiefer Sutherland as Senator Corvus
Sutherland is theatrically and menacing as the antagonist of the film. His version of a cruel, power-hungry Roman adds unnecessary political elements, yet provides the audience with a character to root against.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Atticus
One of the more memorable performances, Atticus is awe-inspiring and yet, kind. His bond with Milo is one of the more interesting aspects of the film.
Jared Harris and Carrie Anne Moss are Cassia’s noble parents and together, they lend weight to the political spin of the upper-class.
Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
Anderson applies his trademark action elements and pacing to a historical movie. While Anderson is not known for his subtlety, at least the film maintains a quick pace and lots of action.
Written by: Janet Scott Batchler, Lee Batchler, and Michael Robert Johnson
Production and visual
Filming for Pompeii took place in Toronto and Italy, where the ancient city was partially recreated using CGI and practical sets. Costumes, architecture, and weaponry exhibited attention to detail and strong production design which contributes to the movie’s world-building. The movie’s best parts were the disaster scenes, especially the volcanic eruption, where structures collapse, fireballs rain, and lava flows.
Significant historical accuracy is sacrificed for storytelling in the movie, but parts of Pompeii’s society and environment were framed with the help of historical consultants. The eruption of Vesuvius, however, is depicted with terrifying realism based on modern geological research.
Themes and analysis
- Love in the Face of Doom
Milo and Cassia’s romance is the emotional center of the film though it is extremely cliché. The lovers’ fate parallels the idea that relational bonds can persist in the face of annihilation. One of the film’s most striking visuals is their final embrace, frozen in ash.
- Revenge and Justice
The emotional motivation for Milo comes from the need to avenge his family, and the confrontation with Corvus is more than personal—it’s almost a form of justice for the powerless.
- Brotherhood and Loyalty
The narrative receives further attention with the developing bond between Milo and Atticus. Their camaraderie is forged in blood and shared survival, and with Atticus’s sacrifice, the emotional resonance of the story’s ending deepens.
- Nature’s Wrath
The film portrays a character as Mount Vesuvius and its eruption. The eruption serves to demonstrate the might of fully uncontrollable forces. It is nature’s overpowering influence and fills the film’s narrative of status, wealth, and military might utterly being rendered inconsequential.
Critical Reception
The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. While many praised the visual effects and action sequences, especially the disaster scenes, the predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and shallow historical script received heavy criticism.
Harington and Akinnuoye-Agbaje were praised for their physicality and presence, and were seen as serviceable in the roles they performed. The romance, which many considered central to the plot, was largely viewed as underdeveloped.
Although critical reviews were underwhelming, Pompeii found an audience willing to pay to watch a mixture of gladiator-like action and cinematic destruction. The film did fairly well globally, and it profited from international viewership and 3D screenings.
Conclusion
Pompeii is a film that clearly outlines what it’s trying to accomplish. It is a dazzling concoction of history, myth, romance, and action meant to cater to lovers of epic and large-scale destruction. It might not have the emotional depth of adaptations like Titanic or Gladiator, but it certainly is a thrilling ride laden with romance, intense action and a whirlwind of emotions centered around love, loyalty, and destiny.
Ultimately, Pompeii is not a film that focuses on innovative storytelling or historical accuracy. Rather, it focuses on providing an emotionally satisfying and visually striking interpretation of one of the world’s most devastating natural disasters. The closing image of the film is of two lovers, petrified by the volcanic fire and ash, and this remains one of the most powerful reminders of vulnerability and the profound connections between people.
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