Christopher Nolan's epic tale, "The Odyssey" to take over the Box Office

I'd like to bring in Dave Morales, you're the co-host of the Backstage Experience, I'm in the Odyssey. This is epic in every sense of the word. It really is and I'm glad you said that because Christopher Nolan, the director of the film, actually said, I made this movie not to stream on your phone but to see on the biggest screen possible. I've seen it, don't let the two hour and 42 minute runtime scare you. It is captivating, it pulls you in. And the star of the film, Matt Damon stars as Odysseus and I had a chance to talk with him about this role, about the story. Here's what he has to say. Let's take a look at the Odyssey. Matt, we've talked over the years, I've known you for some time now. We won't say how long. Well, people can look it up. I can't imagine what this was like to take on. Were you nervous when this thing started? I know you're a pro, but this is huge. Yeah, it's the biggest movie I've ever been a part of and it's really the best role I've ever been offered in my life. And so I felt like a tremendous responsibility. But honestly, the fact that Chris offered it to me, that gave me a lot of, it put my mind at ease because I certainly trust him and I've worked with him a bunch. The very first time you saw The Trojan Horse, which as a guy, I'm sorry, we love stuff like that. Everybody loves things like that, but you've heard so much about this in history. When you saw this for the film and no spoilers today, but when you saw it in person, what was your reaction? It was overwhelming because I saw it buried in the sand on the beach and I came over the dunes and just the size of the production is the first thing that kind of took my breath away. There were thousands of people. I mean, it was just incredible. And then to see it, they really built it with not only making it look as incredible as it does, but also it's out of the same material that the ships are out of. And with the idea that these guys were shipbuilders, so they would make it, he buries it in the sand to make it look like it's a gift to Poseidon that the tide is going to take it away. You know, it's all of these details that just kind of, you know, in aggregate make you just really make the whole story work. It's just such a massive story. What fascinates you now that you have embraced and brought on this character about Odysseus? I think this story, you know, the fact that it's lasted nearly 3000 years at this point, you know, it precedes the Bible. It's just this story that's foundational in Western literature and it survived because it's still relevant. You know, it's still relevant. All of its themes are still, you know, what human beings were grappling with 3000 years ago is what we're still, it's about the experience of being a human being. And depending on who you talk to, what they take from it, it changes. And if you read it early in your life, and if you reread it, you know, you'll get different things out of it because there's just so much in it that's relevant to the human experience. I gotta, I have to give you my instant review. Please. It is awesome. This is a movie event. This is not just going to the movies, trying to get some air conditioner and, you know, and a great snack. This is an event that cannot be missed. The Odyssey is now playing my Travel by Universal Pictures. It's fantastic. It really is good. I actually just listened to Matt Damon on Amy Poehler's podcast and he described the filming of the Odyssey. He was like, we would arrive at a location and then Christopher Nolan's like, and we're going to go into that cave and shoot there. Or we're going to go to the top of that mountain and shoot there. So like Matt Damon went on an actual Odyssey before he even shot the Odyssey. This is a man, I love Matt. I've talked to him over the years as we talked about, this is a man, no controversy. He's just a great person. What you see is what you get. He truly is. He and Tom Hanks are truly some of the best in Hollywood. I love talking to them. They dedicate their lives to their craft and it definitely shows. Matt does a fantastic job in the lead role as Odysseus in the Odyssey and that's what it needed to be for this movie to work. What's it rated? I could look it up, but I'm sure, you know, is it like a PG-13 and R? What is it? Is it a family? I think it's R, but don't quote, you know what's funny is I'm trying to think back. For me, it's violent and that's the only reason I would give it an R. But as far as like, you know, graphic nudity, no, I don't remember seeing that. Language, nah, but the violence I think would put it over the top. But you know what? Still, I think all ages are going to see this thing. Plus I told Matt and Chris Nolan, I said, hey, I needed this movie when I had to read the Odyssey back in school because I would have passed the class if this movie had come out back then. Yeah, no, I think I had to read it too. And I mean, it was it felt eternal. And here it is only two hours and 42 minutes. So people know I actually looked it up as you were answering. It is rated R and it is largely rated R due to intent, what is being described as intense and brutal violence, horror elements. But then this is also we've got like two seconds left. The dark psychological themes. Matt Damon said this is like for anybody who's had PTSD because there is that threat in it as well. It is definitely in there and I can see why. And that's why I said, you know, that's the only thing that I can see why I would get that ready. But still, it's fantastic. Find the biggest screen, drink the small soda. It's great. Yeah, yeah. I mean, because there's probably you couldn't find a spot for like a natural intermission, could you? No, you probably never wanted it to stop. You were there the second time I've been asked that question today. And my answer is the same. Don't miss a second of this movie. That's why I said small soda, small soda. All right. You got it. Well, it's funny you mentioned this is not a movie to go see just to escape the heat. I did that. I saw Toy Story five this past Tuesday. It was like half off at my little local movie theater. Loved it. It was great. Popcorn, soda, Pixar. And this is what you're describing. You know, the Odyssey is a whole other different movie going experience. It really is. Thank you so much for having me today. I love talking about it. Good, I can tell. I can tell that you and Matt Damon have history in the best sense of the word. All right. Dave Morales, you're the co-host of The Backstage Experience, bringing Hollywood to us here on Fox Local San Francisco.