Troy was more entertaining

Rating: Null/10 (30 November 2004)

This film was fairly accurate to most historical accounts but as far as entertainment, which should be the purpose of all movies (in other words you shouldn't be going to the movies to learn about history Hollywood while remaining fairly accurate does take dramatic liberties with certain things that can distort what actually happens) this movie fails miserably. I sat in my seat for most of the movies three hour length wondering when it was going to end. Probably the most controversy being raised over the movie is of the so called homosexual scenes. First, it is important to remember that the idea of homosexuality did not exist in the lexicon of ancient times. It was not uncommon in ancient Greece for men to have male lovers but they did not for the most part forsake their wives for these male lovers. So yes Alexander probably had a male lover, was it a dramatic event between he and his wife when she finds out, most definitely not.
Colin Farrel does a fair job of playing Alexander and seems to channel a range of emotions that we have never seen in a character that Farrell has played. A particularly good scene occurs when Alexanders army is threatening to desert him and he lashes out at his men. Colin Farrell does however seem to overact in certain scenes that could have been more low key. In some respects he plays Alexander as though he is constantly on the battlefield. Angelina Jolie channels her inner psychopath (this seems to be fairly regular for her now) playing Alexanders mother Olympus. She is a constant reminder in Alexanders life that whatever he achieves he will never be good enough. She would have it were he to rule the entire world. Angelina Jolie does a good job for the most part in her character. The best actor in the movie with probably the most realistic portrayal is Val Kilmer as Alexanders father Philip of Macedonia. His scenes are well acted especially those where he is teaching Alexander the ways to be a good king.
The movie as directed by Oliver Stone comes off as one big surreal experience. Stone attempts way to much imagery in the film leaving the viewer confused as to what the heck these symbols actually are supposed to represent. Stone does have an interesting way of telling the story. The story is not so much told chronologically but rather events are expressed as they become important to the life of Alexander and as far as that goes Stone does a wonderful job. However overall the portrayal that Stone presents of Alexander seems just a bit too dramatic rather than a purely historical viewpoint. The problem is that we never become attached to Alexander as a character in the way that Stone wants us to.
In short if you're looking for an entertaining movie dealing with the ancient greeks I would recommend Troy. If you enjoy over the top acting and dramatic crying scenes with odd imagery then by all means see this movie. I give it 6/10