A pretentious and expensive piece of trash. Without a single doubt, the Worst Film of the Year.

Rating: 5/10 (4 December 2004)

Alexander. Directed by Oliver Stone. *
I am so grateful for a film like "Alexander". And here are the reasons why:
1) Because its box office bombing status and the madness (in a "we want to rip you apart" kind of way) among critics could bury the "return to epics" we had this year; don't take me wrong, good old epics were great, but when you start getting stuffed with major turkeys like "Troy", "King Arthur", and our national treasure "Zapata" it is time to say the idea good-bye.
2) It is living proof that either Stone got old and lost every last bit of his talent or he has been the most overrated director around for a long time. For every Zemeckis, Howard or Spielberg there is actually a director that knows what he is doing (i.e. Payne, Haynes, Araki); but this year Stone might defeat them all and be crowned as the new Overrated Champ. It is so funny to see over 30 years old hardcore Stone's fans to stand up and defend Stone and his new "masterwork", when in fact a motion picture should speak for itself: the film is awful.
I will not go into big details on how bad this film is. Let's just say that both my ears and eyes could not believe it. Angie Jolie embarrassing herself for the 15th time. Farrell giving the audience a stalwart masterclass on Bad Acting. Hopkins granting the expression "verbal vomit" a new dimension. One of the most dreadful screenplay written in years; and probably the most talky film in the last 10 years! There's not a moment of silence or meditation on it. Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk and talk. Geez!
I think the only people that can keep themselves from embarrassment is Rodrigo Prieto and his photography, Elliot Cowan as Ptolemy, Connor Paolo as Young Alexander, and Rory McCann as Crateros. Holy Cow! Even Vangelis' music is as corny and mellow as it can get. Totally, out of place.
Save your time, money and self from this stinker. You've been warned.
Note: One thing is "killing" a lot of extras, and a different one, "killing" innocent elephants and horses. It made me sick. I know they are not hurt because of sues, but why do you have to abuse the audience? I hope some elephants may escape from San Diego Zoo and go straight to WB studios.
5/10