Jeff and I are watching Jason and the Argonauts. Jeff and I are both fond of classical myth and literature, so even if it is a bit cheesy, we're enjoying it.

Unfortunately, the makers of this mini-series didn't get the memo: Absolutely no James Callis in revealing clothing. *sigh* Nevertheless, it's a not-too-bad rendition of the story. Much of the casting is somewhat peculiar (Dennis Hopper as an ancient Greek king?), but this fact actually adds a quirky, earthy flavor to the production. Despite the vast array of acting talent, a lot of the actors seem to be either wooden or meandering around in their roles, but this indicates a lack of definitive direction, and nobody expected Emmy-winning performances, I think. The special effects are at least not embarrassing (it was made in 2000, after all), the location shooting is attractive, and the art direction is often impressive to a Hellenophile like myself. There are nice touches, such as the presence of a pool in the temple of Hera (locations for sacred spots were often selected for their proximity to natural pools or springs), and imaginatively semi-authentic architecture. The costuming is good, too. The mechanical bull was lame, though. Jeff and I both liked Hercules. And I thought Orpheus was hot.

I think this should be seen in a double feature with a production of Medea (if there is a good one recorded on film), as a sequel that tells the ultimate end of the story of Jason and Medea.