Jason and the Argonauts (2000): Should Your Family Watch It? – Cocoflix Guide

A Hero's Journey, Old-School Style

“Jason and the Argonauts” (2000) immediately drops viewers into the world of mythical quests and courtly intrigue. Jason witnesses his father’s brutal murder by the in-law Pelias. This seen, all storytelling novices, old and young, know it is time for revenge, which brings us to our first quest: to get the Golden Fleece, demanded by Pelias for a task he most assuredly expects to be impossible. Jason must undertake this quest to get his rightful belongings. Once again, this is a story of adventure, of the retelling of Greek myths in a series with little funding in comparison to others and even less effort in the use of CGI. Mythical creatures and treacherous terrain abound. A crew and a ship, the Argos, must be assembled. This movie concentrates on getting to the next point of the story. It forgoes many of the world-building opportunities in an effort to simplify the plot, and there is a focus on creating challenging situations for the characters in tandem with Jason (the sought after protagonist) and his companions. A past pacing of a series in the style of “Jason and the Argonauts” (2000) is a lot more deliberate. Each following scene is given time to describe not just the physical makeup of the scene, but the psychical and emotional characters to a massive degree. This series leans into practical effects and has a visual style of its time. Though, it lacks finesse and is noticeably less polished.

Who Boards the Argos, and Who Stays Ashore?

This Jason myth adaptation focuses on a wide-family audience, but different generations will appreciate it in their own ways. Grandparents will enjoy a more traditional structure and storytelling style, based on ancient myths. Loyalty, courage and the urge to fulfill your destiny are evergreen topics. Parents will feel a sense of nostalgia watching this style of fantasy, while reminiscing the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. With a clear-cut good-villain character, and a simple quest process, it's easy to follow. Cricket-obsessed teens might struggle with the less fast-paced, action-packed cinematography. Although, stylized fantastical action sequences still have a clear, simple focus. In addition, the tropes found in fantasy storytelling will also interest young adults. The story is fast paced and action heavy, and while it may be too intense for young children, it is throughtful of delicate sensibilities. The adventure and quest are meaningful, and the stakes are high. This is a movie that carries true messages of justice and perseverance that are also meaningful, and can spur very good conversations at family dinners around responsibility and what true good is.

Moments That Make the Journey Worthwhile

Though flawed, "Jason and the Argonauts" has its moments. For starters, King Pelias, played by Ciarán Hinds, is a formidable antagonist. The human battle of power struggles gives the villain depth and is a nice juxtaposition to the fantastical elements. The titular hero, Jason London, has moments of growth as Jason’s journey progresses and Jason’s inner princely wronged leader comes to the surface. The mythological challenges are often the best parts of the series. The early 2000s CGI in parts of the series still holds up. The Argonauts have a consistently high spirit when they are running from a fancy obstacle or a threat from the ancient world. A mix of recognizable and lesser known stars develops a mythological band of brothers. Rivaling the spirit of ancient adventure is the camaraderie of the Argonauts. Jason’s tasks are created as epic in scope making the audience anticipate the journey’s final destination, the Golden Fleece.

Where the Argos Might Hit a Snag

The series certainly has its strengths, but the length of individual episodes and the deliberate pacing of the plot may become distractions for younger family members. The nearly two-hour log length may become monotonous, especially compared to fast-paced stories. Longer stretches may become exposition and character development at the expense of the plot, but deliberate pacing may cause audiences to lose interest when they have come to expect the plot to continue to escalate. The series’ visual effects dating back to the early 2000s are a nod to the series’ era, however seamless integration of CGI, as evidenced in more recent films, is expected. It has a fantasy epical feel to the series, however it may become distracting for some when they show less photorealistic CGI fantasy creatures and environments. This may become distracting to critically pick teenage audiences. While the story remains clear, many of the character arcs and supporting characters simply do not receive the attention they deserve and therefore are easily forgotten. While the intentions of the series are noble, the lack of modern, witty fantasy may signal a lack of stylistic sensibility for many members of the intended audience.

Is This Ancient Quest Right for Your Living Room?

“Jason and the Argonauts” (2000) is a straight-forward, old-school adaptation of a classic myth. This series is for those looking to check off the classic elements of an adventure, betrayal, and of course, heroism. Those looking for fantasy stories won't be disappointed. Also, those who wish for stories lacking convoluted plots or morally corrupt characters won't be disappointed either. For multi-generational viewing, grandparents will enjoy Zach Snyder's basic, straight-forward story-telling style, and young viewers will enjoy the introduction to Greek Mythology, even though the style may seem dated. The audience rating of 6.5 seems to indicate the audience appreciates the straight-forward traditional narrative. Of course, it isn't going to wow viewers with a over-the-top narrative and fantastic effects. However, it commendably delivers a commitment to the journey. The story is a great option for family viewing with mythological creatures, ancient adventurers, the classic “Hero’s Journey,” and a quest. By facing some technical difficulties of the time, the story will provide a satisfying ending to a classic myth and tale.