If you haven’t already – by all means see Christopher Nolan’s big screen adaptation of The Odyssey written so long ago by Homer. (No need to dive into the rabbit hole of the question of who Homer was and whether her was real. But it is a lot of fun.)

First I have not seen a film on the big screen in many years so this is not a traditional film review, but some impressions and thoughts.

Second, if you get motion sickness beware seeing it on the IMAX screen. It is overwhelming and immersive and well worth it. But then much it happens on heaving seas!

I first became aware of The Odyssey when I was a young kid of 8 or 9. I was precocious kid who loved to read from a young age and before I had much spending money of my own I asked my parents to buy me comic books. I am lucky they chose to buy me what were called “Classic Comics.” These were great stories like Moby Dick, Tale of Two Cities, and others in traditional comic book style with illustrations and dialogue balloons. I especially enjoyed the versions of ancient tales including “The Odyssey.” I loved that comic book. (When I did start earning spending money of my own I collected MAD Magazine, but that is a story for another time.)

So when I started being required to read the original texts I quickly discovered that the historians and translators followed the bones the story but added their own interpretations and personal sense to the tale. So what I learned from the colic book to my Latin classes to my history classes to my Literature classes varied.

I was ready then for variations for this movie but Mr. Nolan threw me some unexpected curveballs. I loved the ride but I have had to churn through some thoughts since seeing it. Only recently have those thoughts settled thanks to commentary by New York Times Editorial Writer Ezra Klein. He has brilliantly summed up the lessons for our age which, if you are politically minded you should read.

So see it, see it soon and use the link below to see Mr. Klein’s commentary. Bon Voyage!