This is a drama, not a feel-good action movie!

Rating: Null/10 (17 November 2004)

Well someone already gave a scathing review of the movie. That's one way to look at it, and it's quite understandable if you're expecting another Troy (shame!) or Gladiator (nicely made action). However, Alexander is NOT an action movie. I repeat, this is NOT an action movie. If you want an action movie, go somewhere else. This movie is a real true-to-form epic drama which does include action. But it is primarily a drama, that tries to be historically accurate (I cannot vouch for it), and that certainly succeeds in sucking emotion out of the viewer as a true drama should.
It is long and starts slowly, but I presonally didn't feel the length as it builds up well, in multiple unpredictable waves. There's no "cool, in 5 minutes he's gonna kick this guy's ass" moment. And every victory has its share of failures, nothing is black and white, as is any real story. Alexander is clearly 100% Oliver Stone, with all the complexity and emotion of his previous movies.
Alexander is also showcases Oliver Stone's genius for fight scenes. They are powerful, violent, bloody, confusing, but with some order in the chaos. It makes them real. They're not the beautifully orchestrated perfect battle scenes of Gladiator, but you'll remember them long after you forget Gladiator's battles. Think Saving Private Ryan. The editing of the battle scenes is excellent, on par with Gladiator's as well.
Finally, after so long, here's one Hollywood epic that is not cheesy. The spoken lines in Alexander feel natural and flow well.
Overall, I very much appreciated this movie. But it's certainly not for those looking for a feel- good special effects bonanza.