A very expensive, but mediocre documentary

Rating: 5/10 (25 December 2004)

This movie is really in a mess. First off it jumps all over the place and needs the narration of Anthony Hopkins to try and keep the audience aware of what exactly is going in. This is a true weakness and makes this movie look more like a documentary than a real bio-pic. It covers some key-points, or what the makers feel are the key points, of Alexanders life. This is not offered chronologically or in any other logical order (it even starts with his death). And while Hopkins is narrating away, his mother played by Angeline Jolie decides to do voice overs as well. Heck, we only lack the expert-historians to make this a true documentary.
All characters seem very artificial and evoke absolutely no sympathy whatsoever. The movie looks OK and the battle scene is quite good. Even the music by Vangelis is just mediocre and can be described as a cross between his music for 1492 and funnily enough some John Barry 007 themes.
Not really worth investing time in I would say; try the Discovery Channel instead.