Clash of the Titans (1981) (Movie Review)

  Movies in general have always been a means of escape, a time to take a break from the familiar, and embark on an experience that you could never have anywhere else. As such, when I was a kid, it was the fantasy and adventure genera’s that appealed to me the most. It was through “The Wizard of Oz” that I discovered my love of fantasy, but I discovered my childhood love for adventure cinema through a little film from 1981 titled “Clash of the Titans”. Before “Indiana Jones”, before “Sinbad” and even before I saw “Star Wars”, “Clash of the Titans” was one of my earliest movie experiences that sparked my imagination, drew my attention to Greek mythology, and helped lay the foundation for my overall love of movies in general. While most would cite “Jason and the Argonauts” as the superior classic of this genera, I’ll always prefer “Clash of the Titans”, as it’s personally one of my favorite movies, and the main reason I have so much fondness for epic “sword and sandal” adventure cinema.

  Inspired by the legends of Greek mythology, “Clash of the Titans” follows the journey of Zeus’s son Perseus, who’s on a quest to liberate the kingdom of Joppa, protect the Princess Andromeda, and fulfill a great destiny prophesized by his father. Rather than re-tell the straight forward legend of Perseus straight out of Greek Mythology, “Clash of the Titans” takes pieces of various legends, as well as other myths, and creates its own original story in the process. 

The film also came out in the wake of “Star Wars”, which was clearly an influence on both the narrative, as well as the creation of some original new characters that were never even a part of Greek mythology. Also, just like with other Myths, “Clash of the Titans” isn’t just a single narrative, but a collection of tales that all come together as a whole. The opening fifteen minutes revolve around the Greek God Zeus, who unleashes his vengeance on a king that tried to drown his mortal wife and his infant son Perseus. This segment alone, with Zeus destroying an entire Kingdom feels like an epic in of itself, and we’re just getting started. Once Perseus grows into a man, we see him fall in love with the Princess Andromeda, how he’s tasked to lift a curse from her home Kingdom of Joppa, and his first confrontation with a villain named Calibos … who will become his arch nemesis. There comes a point when the villain seems beaten, our two lovers are about to get married, and it seems like a happy ending … but it’s here when the real quest begins. Next, the vengeful Goddess Thetis declares that the whole Kingdom will be destroyed unless the Princess is sacrificed to a great sea monster called The Kracan. Thus, Perseus sets off to find a means to defeat one of the most unbeatable of titans. From this point, it’s probably best to highlight the individual characters and creatures one at a time.

Perseus (played by Harry Hamlin)

Perseus fits the archetype of the every-man who discovers he has a great destiny to fulfill, and emerges from his journey as a mighty hero. There’s nothing too deep beneath the surface, so the strength of the character has to rely on the charm of the lead actor Harry Hamlin. He gives a committed performance, and feels self-aware that he shouldn’t overact, but take things just seriously enough to feel genuine. Most of his delivery is very stoic, like someone with personality, but keeps the emotions reserved under a calm demeanor. His obviously 80’s hair style has also stuck with me as the definitive look of Perseus. As a bones, Perseus is given signature weapons by his father Zeus to aid him on his quest. These magical items include an indestructible sword that can slice through solid marble, a shield which allows him to speak with his father Zeus, and a helmet that can turn him invisible … probably what inspired Harry Potters invisibility cloak.

Princes Andromeda (played by Judi Bowker)

It’s my impression that the majority of the cast were experienced stage actors before this picture, as the line deliveries are hit and miss, but the physical and emotional performances are solid all around. This especially applies to the young Judi Bowker, as her portrayal of the Princess Andromeda is “so-so” when it comes to delivering the dialog, but she really shines when she just conveys her emotions or caries herself on screen. There’s so much passion put into her physical performance, and she really sells it even when working off of stop-motion creatures that aren’t physically present on the set. For example, when she’s offered up as a sacrifice to the Kracan, the look on her face has me one-hundred percent convinced that she’s looking upon a giant monster. The character herself is little more than a traditional damsel in distress, but consistently lovable, and is personally one of my all-time favorite movie princesses. She’s also ridiculously attractive, and watching this at a young age made her one of my very first movie crushes, like ... she was the princess of my dreams. Whenever the term “Princess” is dropped, I immediately think of Andromeda first, as she’s always been my staple of the traditional movie Princess.

Calibos (played by Neil McCarthy)

The main threat of the movie comes in the form of a half-man-half-monster named Calibos, who was originally meant to wed the Princess, until he was deformed by the Gods for his cruelty. His transformation scene is brilliant in it's simplicity, as we just see the changing shadow of his statue carving. Something about this transformation always felt very ominous, and it's interesting to get a villains backstory before he physically appears on screen.  

This was a completely original character who never appeared in Greek mythology, but feels like someone who’d fit right in, and has both a unique design and backstory that’s stuck with me. He also makes for a worthy foe to work opposite of Perseus, and it’s even more fitting that they’re both children of the God’s, with Perseus as the son of Zeus, and Calibos the son of the Goddess Thetis. The only thing off-putting about Calibos is his dual portrayal on-screen. Whenever Calibos is seen from a distance, he’s a stop-motion monster, but in the close-ups it’s actor Neil McCarthy with monster-makeup. The transitions between the two are very obvious, but the performance at least adds more layers to the character then any of the other monsters.

Zeus (played by Laurence Olivier)

Now we come to the big guy himself … the Greek father of the Gods … Zeus. This is hands down my favorite portrayal of Zeus to ever be captured on film, and the late Laurence Oliver delivers a towering performance worthy of the characters status. Every single inflection, and line delivery cares a sense of weight and strength. What makes the performance even more credible was that the actor himself was not in good health during the filming, and yet, through his performance, you’d never suspect once that this was an actor dealing with health issues.

Animal Side-kicks

   In the original Greek mythology, Perseus traveled on winged sandals, but this version features him traveling on the winged horse Pegasus, which I feel is superior for both the story and the experience. In my view, there’s a romantic quality to that of a noble hero riding on the back of his trusted steed.

Weather it’s the legends of Greece, the Knights of Europe, the Samurai of Japan, or our own Cowboys of the old West, there’s an adventurous aspect between a champion and their mount that I feel can’t be captured with an artificial mode of transport. While the flight scenes have admittedly lost their wonder over the years, they did still set the template that we’d see with other cinematic hero’s taking flight on their mount, including the likes of Harry Potter on Buckbeak, or Hiccup and Toothless in “How to Train Your Dragon”. I should also note that when I first saw “Clash of the Titans” as a kid, it was around the same time that Disney’s “Hercules” was in theaters, and I had to tell all my friends that Pegasus was the companion to Perseus before Hercules.  

Pegasus, became such a staple that when MGM Studio became Tri-Star, they used Pegasus as their new studio mascot. Also, aiding our hero on his quest is a golden robotic owl named Bubo, who was yet another original character created for the movie, and the most obvious sign that “Clash of the Titans” came out in the wake of “Star Wars”. He basically serves as the cute little silent robot side-kick, just like R2-D2, but has the gold-plated features of C-3PO. Still, he makes for a memorable mascot in his own right.  

The Supporting Players …

The late great Burgess Meredith plays the classic wise mentor named Ammon, who guides Perseus on his quest, and brings some levity to the film through his distinct charisma and charm. While I’ll always remember the actor best for his roles as the Penguin from the 60’s “Batman” series, and as the grouchy trainer Mickey from the “Rocky” movies, this performance has always stuck with me as something special, as it was the role that introduced me to the great talent. Siân Phillips plays the Queen Cassiopeia, who does a good job, but I always felt that the character needed more involvement … especially sense her Image appears in the constellations at the end. There’s also a number of talents playing the Goddess of Olympus, including Ursula Andress … the very first James Bond Girl … as Aphrodite. One of my favorite contributions is Tim Pigott-Smith as Perseus’s best friend Thallo, who could have been a throwaway role, but brought some dignity to the screen. At last, we have the Goddess Thetis, who’s brilliantly portrayed by a younger Maggie Smith. Now days the actress is best known for playing Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” movies, and it’s cool to see that she had a memorable role in the fantasy genera before those films.

  The film is incredibly rich in the visual department, and it fully allows you to submerse yourself into the time and culture. Every shot is brimming with rich landscape, temples, statues, sculpture, and some gorgeous map paintings. There’s a great moment when our hero goes walking through a busy market-place, and it’s one of those special scenes that gives the setting some personality. 

The costumes are all great, and It’s one of those environments that I feel completely submersed in. Mount Olympus itself is likewise stunning to look at, and I love all the details. There’s a room full of wooden sculptures representing every living person on the planet, and it’s through models that Zeus can affect the people on Earth. Also, I love Zeus’s throne, with a big shining blue light behind it, and golden animal statues on either side. At last, I have to mention the music score by Laurence Rosenthal, which is one of my favorites of the whole adventure genera. Right on the same high bar as the theme music from “Pirates of the Carrabin” or “Indiana Jones”, this score invokes a sense of awe-inspiring excitement and wonder. Personally, I’ve always considered it a classic movie score in its own right. The opening credit sequence is likewise one of my favorites ever, as we follow a bird as it travels through the mountains on its way to Olympus. The cinematography on display is breathtaking, and when matched to Laurence Rosenthal triumphant score … it sets the mood perfectly.  

 

  I noted in the intro that “Clash of the Titans” was my gateway into Greek mythology, and it’s something I’ve been a fan of ever sense I was a kid. Looking back, it’s cool to see what characters and elements of the Greek myths were cheery picked to make this original story, and it leads to some memorable highlights. 

There’s a scene when our heroes have to sail across the river of death, also known as the River Styx, and the only way to cross is a ride from the Ferryman named Charon. In mythology, the river leads to the Underworld ruled by Hades, and Charon is depicted as a bearded old man. In the movie, the river separates the human world from the land of monsters, and Charon this time is a clocked figure with a skull for a face … which I think is a lot cooler. Another memorable highlight is when the Goddess Thetis delivers an ultimatum to the Princess, and rather than arrive in human form, she makes her appearance by reanimating a statue of herself, which is highly imaginative. We also have the Three Grey Ones, who in this movie are depicted as blind witch’s that provide our hero with the information needed to complete his journey, which isn’t too different from the Greek legend of Perseus. One of the more imaginative sequences is during the purge of Calibos in the middle act, in which he summons the spirit of the Princess, by having her soul transported in a cage by a giant vulture.

  This brings me to the main appeal of the whole movie, the charmingly archaic stop-motion animation techniques of Ray Harryhausen. Ever sense the early 1940’s, Ray Harryhausen was a special effects pioneer, and will always be associated with the creation of cinemas most iconic stop-motion monsters. While stop-motion has been utilized by a number of effects artists, Ray Harryhausen was the legend who perfected the craft, and had the longest standing carrier in the field. He had previously brought us soldiers dueling with Skeletons in “Jason and the Argonauts”, had sailors encounter a giant Cyclops in "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad", and had cowboys lassoing a T-Rex in "The Valley of Gwangi". 

It was here in “Clash of the Titans” that he arguably delivered his best work. Now, “Clash of the Titans” premiered in 1981, and at this point, the art of stop-motion was seen as a dated craft. As such, this movie marked the last time he’d bring his art to the big screen, and in my view, he couldn’t have chosen a better climax to his mighty carrier. Audiences today seem to prefer CGI effects, and to be fair, CGI can make creatures look more realistic, and make them perform acrobatic feats that couldn’t be accomplished before. While CGI has its place in our current generation, I’m still one of the fans that love classic stop-motion animation. They’re so awesome to look back on, as they come from an age before computers, and it’s really impressive to see how all these different creatures were brought to life. What fascinates me more with Ray Harryhausen, is that he worked on all these effects, by himself in a dark room, which makes the end results all the more impressive. There’s a bit of mystery to this craft, and it still makes me wonder how he accomplished most of this. The monsters in this film are all pretty awesome, including the massive vulture, a two headed wolf and a battle with giant killer Scorpions.  

  My favorite sequence of all is when Perceus and his team have a nail-biting, cat-and mouse encounter with the Greek Gorgon Medusa. Back when I was a little kid, I had an odd obsession with snakes, and Medusa … being a half-woman-half-serpent with snakes for hair, made her my favorite mythical creature, even before I saw this movie. Actually, it was thanks to Medusa that I grew-up with “Clash of the Titans” in the first place. 

Upon seeing her image on the cover of the original VHS, I just had to rent the movie, to see her presence on screen in live-action. While, Medusa has been featured in a number of movies both prior and after this film, I don’t think a singe version has ever surpassed Medusa’s appearance in the original “Clash of the Titans”. This is where Ray Harryhausen’s effects shine the most, as the model of Medusa is a stunning feat of stop-motion, and it’s set in this hellish room full of flickering fire-light. As such, Harryhausen wasn’t just animating a detailed looking creature, he was also working in different shades of lighting. Speaking personally, this is my all-time favorite monster sequence ever but to film, as it not only features my favorite creature of Greek mythology, but the scene from beginning to end is cinematic gold. The build-up to this encounter alone is thrilling, as we enter this hellish room full of soldiers that have been turned to stone by looking into Medusa’s eyes, and the way she slowly reveals herself is brilliant. First, we hear the rattle of her tail, then we see her figure as a shadow silhouetted against a wall, and then finally after taking out an accomplice, she slithers on screen in her full visual glory. Even though she’s stop-motion, there’s still so much expression in her face and eyes, that she feels like a real presence. The whole scene is a hauntingly atmospheric and claustrophobic chase, and it still keeps me on edge to this day. The sequence builds to a satisfying payoff, and the final shot of Perseus triumphantly holding her severed head feels like a legendary moment of Greek mythology brought to life through film.             

  As the adventure draws to a close, Perseus races home to rescue the Princess Andromeda, before she’s sacrificed to a great sea monster. Again, the build-up and details on display surpass what is commonly expected in movies of this sort. First of all, I love that when the Princess is led out to her execution, it’s a slow and calm wake, with her people gathered around grieving her fate, throwing confetti in her path, and showing respect for her sacrifice. Then when we reach the beach, there’s an ominous sense of dread slowly building, which is effectively paired with a gorgeous shot of the rising sun. Another great detail is that Perseus at this point is absolutely beaten and warn out … he’s not showing off like an unstoppable hero, he’s collapsed on the ground and drained of energy. Yet, there’s still hope as his father Zeus secretly gives him the strength to get back up again. It’s a subtle moment, but very effective. I should also note that Andromeda being chained to a stone, and presented as an offering to a sea monster is an iconic moment taken out of Greek mythology … but there’s one major difference. 

     

  In the Greek myth, Andromeda is being sacrificed to a sea monster called Cetus, but the movie switched that monster with another feared creature from the deep … The Krachan. 

It’s a curious change, as The Krachan was never even part of Greek myths … he actual steamed from Norse Mythology. Also, the original image of the Krachan resembled a giant Octopus, while this movie gives the beast a completely original design … resembling a giant, bird-faced, four-armed humanoid with scales and a fishtail. He’s also referred to in this movie as “The Last of the Titans”, which is a new detail that gives the creature more of a legacy. Needless to say, I love his 80’s movie design, and even though it’s a departure from its original source, The Krachan as depicted in “Clash of the Titans” remains one of my all-time favorite giant movie monsters. It is so flipping cool … I never get tired of seeing this. Naturally, all of Ray Harryhausen’s monsters are fun to look at, but the Kracan was the first to truly be presented on a grand scale, with a tremendous presence, and a fool orchestra boasting its size. This was such a spectacle to see as a kid, and still to this day, I think it’s superior to the CGI Kracan’s featured in both the 2010 “Clash of the Titans” remake and in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” … although the ladder film is closer to the original image.

  The very last highlight I have to mention is a closing narration by Zeus, which is paired with the origin of star constellations that resemble our heroes from the story. This again is inspired by Greek myths who have their stories written in the stars, and when paired with these dazzling visuals, it gives the movie a sense of weight … like we’ve just experienced one of the great mythical legends, and here’s how the memories of these champions will be preserved. Obviously, “Clash of the Titans” is nothing more than cheesy B-movie entertainment … but it’s still one of the absolute greats of its genera. It’s a movie that meant the world to me as a kid, it still brings me joy as an adult, and even though it may not resemble high art … it’s still one of my personal favorite movies. Definitely a movie for viewers with an acquired taste, but if you’re someone who loves Greek Mythology, or have a soft spot for these old-school sword and sandal epics, then do yourself a favor and give this one a watch. 

Thanks for reading my review of the the original 1981 fantasy adventure “Clash of the Titans” … a continue to enjoy the movies you love!

My Top 10 Actress I’ve Had a Crush On

It’s February again, the season of love, the month of Valentines, and warm feelings are in the air. So, for the occasion, let’s look back at … my earliest crushes. Now, I’m not talking about in my personal life ... I mean the woman I grew-up watching on TV or saw regularly in movies. I think most would agree that our earliest crushes are with the performers we frequently saw on the box. So, I thought it would be fun to kick-off the Valentines season with the 10 actress that worked their magic on me at one point in my lifetime, and I never forgot. This countdown has nothing to do with their personal lives, what they do behind the camera, or even their popularity, it’s just how they’ve left their mark on me though the various movies and shows I’ve grown up with and watched.

#10 Kelly Hu 

 When it comes to different ethnicities of woman, I’ve always had a certain attraction to Asians above all else, and I think Kelly Hu might have had something to do with that. Despite starting her acting career with some stinkers like “Surf Ninjas” and “Friday the 13th: Jason Takes Manhattan”, Kelly Hu has managed to make a name for herself, and has certainly left a memorable impression. 

I was first introduced to the Chinese/American actress when she brought one of my favorite comic-book villains Lady Deathstrike to life with a live action portrayal in 2003’s “X2: X-Men United” ... which is still one of the best installments in my favorite supper hero franchise. Over time, Kelly Hu has stood out as an exceptional talent in her own right, and one who I wish I saw in more movies. In the years that passed, I’ve mostly associated her with voice acting roles in projects like “Batman Under the Red Hood”, “The Spectacular Spider-Man”, and the voice of Karai on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”.   

She's also supplied her vocal talents to video games, such as voicing Visas Marr in the “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” game series. Most recently as the voice of Adira in “Rapunzel's Tangled Adventures”. However, my real feelings for the actress bloomed when I saw her play a Sorcerous in 2002’s “The Scorpion King”. Holly cow, back then, my teenage mind was viewing her as the most attractive person on the planet, and it wasn’t simply do to the amount of skin she was showing off in that film ... or her perfect five star navel. There was something about her face, eyes and smile that made me realize … Asian woman in general just have perfect faces. Weather it’s her physical appearance or just her voice, I think she’s still insanely beautiful, and the one who made me discover my fondness for Asian woman.            

             

#9 Cameron Diaz 

  For the majority of actresses on my countdown, I’ve developed feelings watching them over a number of films … but in the case of this currently retired American actress … it just took one movie for me to develop a massive crush on her. The 1994 comedy “The Mask” was a childhood favorite of mine, and one that still brings me joy to this day. Most of Jim Carry’s comedies hold a special place in my heart, but in the case of “The Mask”, he was only half the appeal. This was Cameron Diaz breakout performance after a career in modeling, and I don’t think she’s ever lit-up the screen the same way she did in that movie. It’s hard to explain but … there’s attractive woman … and then there’s Cameron Diaz in “The Mask”. However, her insanely good looks were matched by genuine charm and charisma that was all her own, and she was able to stand toe-to-toe with Jim Carry’s larger than life cartoon performance. 

It was that signature charm of hers that became the foundation of her career, and the driving force behind the majority of her comedies to follow. Her charm also stood on equal ground with Julia Roberts in 1997’s “My Best Friend’s Wedding”. While I personally wasn’t a fan of 1998’s “There's Something About Mary”, I do still view it as a staple of classic 90’s comedies, and her leading portrayal of Mary was nothing short of lovable.  

Cameron Diaz then hit franchise fame voicing the Princess Fiona in the long running and highly successful “Shrek” movies. For whatever it’s worth, I think the 2004 sequel “Shrek 2” has stood the test of time as one of the funniest animated movies ever made, and I think it marked the peak of her voice acting. Further appearances in films like “Day and Knight” or the “Charlies Angles” movies have been perfectly enjoyable, but still, nothing has ever quiet captured that fire she sparked back in the 90’s. As of 2014, Cameron Diaz retired from acting, and I wish her well … she was a comedic talent bursting with charm, and left her mark on me as one of my earliest movie crushes.  

#8 Tia Carrere 

 Just like with the previously mentioned Cameron Diaz, Tia Carrere … or if we were to go by her proper name Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo … was another case of love at first sight in the role of Casandra, from one of my all-time favorite comedies “Wayne’s World”, along with its equally funny sequel “Wayne’s World 2”. Actually, Mike Myers reaction to his attractive co-star mired my own. 

She had it all … style, charisma, charm, fashion, and killer looks. Once again, it was a case of a female lead standing head-and-shoulder with the larger than life comedic talents of both Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. Due to her portrayal in the film, I was always under the impression that Tia Carrere was authentic Cantonese, when she is in-fact American, born in Hawaii … specifically Honolulu, which just happens to be the same place my sister was born … imagine that. In 2002, there was a little animated picture from Disney set in Hawaii titled “Lilo & Stitch”, in which Tia Carrere voiced the older sister Nani. While I didn’t know that initially, she was already my favorite character in the film, and in my view has always been an underappreciated female Disney character. She also stood firm acting along-side Arnold Schwarzenegger as a shady femme-fatale in James Cameron’s 1994 action movie hit “True Lies”. 

She’s also a talent when it comes to music, with two Albums on her resume, and the ladder of which titled “Hawaiiana” received a Grammy nomination for Best Hawaiian Music Album. Earlier in 1993, she performed the main theme song “I Though I Never Knew You”, from one of my all-time favorite superhero movies “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm”. Weather she’s in one of my favorite comedies, or acting along one of my favorite action stars, or performing a song in a favorite Batman picture, or voicing one of my favorite Disney characters … Tia Carrere always seems to be paired with something that’s a “favorite” of mine, and she herself is absolutely one of my favorite actresses.   

    

#7 Zoe Saldana 

   In many respects, I look at Zoe Saldana as one of the generations leading faces of Sci-Fi cinema. While I was first introduced to her in a supporting role in the 2003 adventure hit “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”, it was her portrayal of Lt. Uhura in the 2009 reboot of “Star Trek”, along with its two sequels that she really caught my attention as someone bursting with both flair and charisma.

She then continued to electrify the screen in a number of Sci-Fi blockbusters, including her portrayal of a bad-ass alien princess in James Cameron’s 2009 hit “Avatar”. At last, the role that solidified her status as a favorite was her portrayal of the green skinned anti-hero Gamora from “Guardians of the Galaxy” and subsequently it’s sequel and further Marvel spin-offs. She’s an actress who can juggle drama, charisma, hummer and feminine whiles all at once. Heck, she’s beautiful just when voice acting in animated pictures like 2014’s “The Book of Life”. No mater what kind of alien she appears as, or if it’s just her voice alone, both her talents … and beauty … continues to shine.  

     

#6 Jennifer Connelly

 I first fell head over heels for young American actress Jennifer Connelly in the 1986 fantasy “Labyrinth”. While that certainly wasn’t one of her best performances, it was the novelty of seeing a girl brave her way through so many frightening pearls in this dark fantasy setting which really left an impression on my youth. Most beautiful young girls in fantasy films are unfortunately reduced to the cliched pretty face that needs to be rescued, but Connelly was leading the whole adventure, and it set the template for how she’d tilt stereo types on their heads. 

Even when she became a figurative damsel in one of my childhood favorite superhero movies “The Rocketeer”, she still proved strong, resourceful, and just illuminated the screen with what feels like classic Hollywood style beauty, that I find lacking these days. She was quiet literally a bright spot in the gloomy 1999 Sci-Fi “Dark City”. Then I really began to admire her acting talents in the 2000 drama “Requiem for a Dream”, in which she really left an impression on me as a great talent. Heck, even though I hated the 2003 comic book adaption of “Hulk”, I thought her portrayal of love interest Betty Ross was spot on, and was easily the best thing about the whole movie. 

She also made for an appealing villain in the 2019 adaption of “Alita: Battle Angle”. Heck, I thought she was hot even as the disembodied voice of “Suit Lady” in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. Combining both glamour and charm in her portrayals, Jennifer Connelly was one of those actresses I feel like I’ve gone on a journey with, as I’ve watched her career progress, and I look forward to seeing where she goes from here.          

#5 Salma Hayek 

 If there was any actress unaffected by age, it’s Salma Hayek, who’s 53 years old, and still look’s as hot as a bomb shell. I was first introduced to Salma Hayek through a number of movies I watched when I was a kid, including “Wild Wild West” and the Robert Rodriguez directed sequel “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over”. Neither of which rank among her better films, but they at least allowed me to recognize her face and screen appeal. 

As I grew up, I became a devoted fan of Robert Rodriguez directed filmography, and Salma Hayek was a regular player in his films. I knew I developed a crush on Salma in her role as Carolina in both Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado” and “Once Upon a Time in Mexico”. Then I was absolutely smitten after seeing her play a seductive vampire Queen in another Robert Rodriguez picture titled “From Dusk till Dawn”. She also makes for a dynamite pair with Antonio Banderas, and even when the two are voice acting together in “Puss in Boots”, they’re still a perfect match. Salma received her first Oscar nomination for best actress in the 2002 picture “Frida”, which proved that she was a talent to watch ... certainly one to look at.

#4 Rachel Weisz 

 Next is a generations actress who’s certainly known, but I don’t think she ever achieved the acolytes or attention that she really deserved. Regardless, British-American actress Rachel Weisz has made a comeback in recent years, and has proven time and time again to have a great range of talents. She won her first Academy Award for best supporting role in the 2005 drama “The Constant Gardener”. 

She was recently nominated for an Oscar in the 2018 picture “The Favourite”, and also received a Golden-Globe nomination for her leading role in the 2011 drama “The Deep Blue Sea”. She’s also appeared in a number of franchise films including “The Bourn Legacy” and most recently “Black Widow”. Rachel Weisz has also proven to make for a menacing villain actress as a wicked witch in “Oz the Great and Powerful”. Heck, she’s even managed to be a bright-spot in some terrible movies, like as the voice of a Dragon in the 2006 adaption of “Eragon”, and as a girlfriend in the 2007 holiday stinker “Fred Clause”. 

Yet of course, I’ll never forget how she first won my heart when I first saw her as a beautiful and intelligent Egyptologist named Evie in the 1999 adventure horror “The Mummy”. While I’ve loved the actress in all the previously mentioned pictures, it was unmistakably because of her role in “The Mummy” that I had a huge childhood crush on her. Rachel Weisz was just so naturally lovable in that role, and marked a first for me as a kid, as I looked past her obvious beauty, and was really drawn to the spirit and charisma she brought to the role. Honestly, I think she’s one of the lucky actresses who can beat the curse of aging, as her appeal for me always went beyond her physical beauty, and was always for the flair she ignited in her performance.

  

#3 Rosario Dawson 

 Boy oh boy, American actress Rosario Dawson is often described as one of the decades most beautiful actresses … as well as exceptionally talented, funny, charismatic, and even has a fine singing voice. I was first introduced to her in the Blockbuster sequel “Men in Black II”, and I’ll admit she didn’t leave much of an impression at first … but things were just getting started. I then saw her in the 2005 musical “Rent”, and needless to say, I was smitten after that. Everything from her charm, to her theatrics, to her beauty was on full display, and I knew she was one to watch.  

I then saw her thrilling conviction as a hard as nails hit-girl in the 2005 adaption of “Sin City”, and its 2014 sequel “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For”. She also proved one of the funniest comedic actresses of the decade as she was able to stand on equal ground with Chris Rock in the breakout 2014 comedy “Top Five”. Heck, she manages to steal the show with minor roles in films like “Zombieland: Double Tap”, and “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”. She’s also proven time and time again to be a stirring voice actress, largely in her superhero roles of Wonder Woman in various DC animated films, and even as Bat-Girl in “The Lego Batman Movie”. One of her best roles is Claire Temple in the Marvel expanded TV shows. 

First beginning with “Dare Devil”, and continued on with “Luke Cage”, “Jessica Jones”, “Iron Fist” and “The Defenders”. Finally, as a side-note, I’m a long time “Star Wars” fan, and Rosario Dawson again shines as the live-action portrayal of one Jedi by the name of Ashoka Tano … who prior to Dawson's performance was already one of my all-time favorite of all the “Star Wars” characters. Not only did the actress look the part and acted the part, but it was awesome to see one of my biggest movie crushes become one with my biggest “Star Wars” crush.    

#2 Nicole Kidman 

 I first took note of the Australian/American actress as a reoccurring partner with Tom Cruise. Of course, the two were married for ten years, but they also appeared in a number of movies together, including “Days of Thunder”, “Eyes Wide Shut”, and the first time I saw them together was in Ron Howards 1992 romantic adventure “Far and Away”. Also, back when I was a kid, I was obsessed with Batman, and the 1995 movie “Batman Forever” was the one I watched the most by far. As such, it was Nicole Kidman, with her bright blond hair, hot red lips, imposing eyebrows, and black attire who always came to mind as Batman’s most memorable love interest ... maybe not the most compelling character, but unmistakably the most attractive. 

Then came the big one in 2001, a little musical directed by Baz Luhrmann called “Moulin Rouge!”, and from that first viewing, Nicole Kidman was the one actress I was holding on the top of my list of favorites. Her portrayal of Satine got her an Oscar nomination for best actress, and has sense stuck with me as one of my all-time favorite character performances. She is so passionate in the role, and runs the whole gambit of different emotions and theatrics. I’ve admired Nicole Kidman as a very talented actress, and this is the role that proved she could do it all. It’s a performance that’s everything whimsical, tragic, fiery, adult, and she just shines on the screen. Also, as a side note, I think she even makes for a more attractive red-head then she does a blond. 

That same year she also stared in one of my favorite horror movies of the decade called “The Others”, which was both one of the most original, and thanks to her performance, one of the most emotional haunted house movies I’ve ever seen. Her career then skyrocketed from there, as she’d finally win the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2003’s “The Hours”, which was well deserved. She received yet another nomination for best actress in a leading role for the 2011 movie “Rabbit Hole”, which I honestly think was her second-best performance behind “Moulin Rouge!”. Still in the late twenty-teens, she’s proven a dynamite actress with an Oscar nomination for best supporting role in 2017’s “Lion”.  

She also joined forces once again with director Baz Luhrmann back in 2008, with the romantic epic “Australia”, which admittedly wasn’t one of her best movies, but it wasn’t bad, and it was a real treat to see her acting on her home turf. Back in 2007, there was a pointless forth remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” simply titled “The Invasion”, and it was absolutely Nicole Kidman’s committed performance in the lead role that made that remake worthwhile. 

She also appeared in yet another DC comic adaption, this time in 2018’s “Aquaman” as Queen Atlanna … which was awesome, just to see her in a position of power as opposed to another attractive damsel like in the previously mentioned “Batman Forever”. In both 2004 and 2018, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and … call me a lover, because she’s one gifted talent I’ve adored watching over the years, and even in her 50’s, I think she still has a bright career in acting.     

Before I reveal my #1 biggest crush, here are some honorable mentions …

Natalie Portman

Scarlett Johansson

Emma Stone

Marina Sirtis

Emilia Clarke

#1 Catherine Zeta Jones 

 Here she is, the actress who’s stolen my heart a hundred times over, and the one I had the biggest childhood … teenage … young adult … grown man crush on. I was first introduced to the sizzling Welsh actress in a rather unique role … a belly-dancing spy who wins the attention of a young Indian Jones. That’s right, I grew-up with the “Adventures of Young Indiana Jones” series, and one such entry titled “Daredevils of the Desert” was a favorite I owned on home video. While I didn’t know her name at the time, I already thought she was something. Catherine Zeta Jones would continue to surprise me with her wicked talents in further films. She shined as a dramatic actress in the 2000 picture “Traffic”, which won her Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance in a motion picture. Jones did take a small nose dive with a pointless, and scare-free remake of "The Haunting", but she wasn't bad, it was just the movie that sucked. 

Then I saw her paired with another action adventure hero from my childhood ... the swashbuckling Zorro, in the 1998 action hit “The Mask of Zorro”. Still to this day, it remains one of my favorite entertainment movies, and still to this day … I think Catherine Zeta Jones in her leading role as Elena is the most striking and beautiful woman I’ve ever seen on film. Again, she’s an actress who seems to have that classic Hollywood look that goes a step beyond just an attractive face. It was also the first time I saw a woman in an old-school action adventure that went beyond a cliched damsel, as she was every bit as awesome as the films lead hero. She absolutely bounced back and lit up the screen again in the 2003 musical “Chicago”, in which she displayed great skill as a dancer, singer and personality. 

This was also the role in which she won the Academy Award for best Actress in a supporting role. She even dabbled in voice acting with her leading role in Dreamworks 2003 "Sinbad Legend of the Seven Seas". While her career quieted down in the two-thousand-teens, she still stays active, and had another stand out role in the breakout 2013 thriller “Side Effects”. Now days, her career is strongest on TV, namely in the series “Queen America”, in which she delivers an enticing and poised performance. While many talented actresses will continue to come and go, it’s Catherine Zeta Jones who will always resonate will me as the most special, and the one who I had the biggest crush on.   

Thanks for reading my countdown ... and continue to enjoy the talents you Love! 

Happy Valentine’s Day!