Archimedes
December 2, 2009
So there’s a remake of Clash of the Titans on the go – because it’s not like there’s about a hundred other Greek myths to plagiarise. I’m sure I’ll trundle along to see it when it comes out, although I don’t think any number of waxed chests and pixels will make up for the tangible magic of the stop-motion original. And I noticed a conspicuous absence from the new trailer – no Bubo the mechanical owl. Exclamation mark. My classics knowledge might be a little hazy, bt I’m pretty sure Robo Birdie wasn’t in the original mythology (and thus spake Athena: “F’ckin A, my owls got f’ckin LASER BEAMS COMING OUT OF IT’S EYES!!!”), but he was a great addition, being all shiny and cute. And Bubo v 2.0 with laser eyes and a facebook ap would have been just charming, I’m sure.
Oh well, we will see. Anyway, 2010 is going to be all about Olympus I reckons. Them gods are going to slay the vampires. Or something. The last year or two has been pathetically vampire-heavy in the teenybop culture (sic) stakes – it’s like Buffy and Lestat never even happened. I secretly heart True Blood ‘n’ all, but it I also remember Buffy the first time round (and I mean the Donald Sutherland, Luke Perry first time round). Ugh I feel so old – for all the Holly Come Latelies trolloping off to watch Twighlight the whole thing is so…new.
3000 and 2004’s Troy didn’t really go in for the myths ‘n’ magic vibe – it was more a case of war, war WAR, war, war. Not going to reel in the girlies with that I’m afraid. I hate to generalise, I really do. Yes, I know I do it all the time. but I hate to. err. But I have faith in my gender that they’d have the good sense to agree that overlong battle scenes are b-oring. Flying horses – now you’re talking.
Annnnway, my guess is that with Clash 2010 and Percy Jackson & The Olympians I wouldn’t be surprised if Greek Chic ends up being a big trend. Because lets face it, like Prometheus’ liver, greek myths are the bank of movie ideas that just keeps on giving. And Homer’s not about to start claiming intellectual rights.
*Tenuous list*
So, in tribute to Bubo the mechanical owl that never was here are my top five favourite fictional owls.
5. Archimedes from Disney’s Sword in the Stone.
4. Hedwig from Harry Potter. For no other reason than the name always reminds me of Hedwig and The Angry Inch. And that’s funny.
3. Bubo
2. Nite Owl II aka. Dan Dreiberg from Watchmen
1. Plop, The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark. …. memories…
