Intriguing, Though Flawed, Movie

Rating: 5/10 (27 July 2005)

The movie is too long, too wordy, the script muddled, at times even ridiculous, and the special effects not particularly special. Yet, the movie has some redeeming qualities. First, it depicts, albeit in a contorted way, the life of one the most interesting and famous persons in history, Alexander the Great. Second, Colin Farrell gives a strenuous, although not entirely believable, performance, and what it lacks in quality, he makes up for it in sheer determination. Then again, maybe it was asking a bit too much from Mr. Farrell to play a Macedonian and to portray the character not so much as a conqueror but as a person in conflict, with himself, his companions and his family. Maybe the movie misses the mark by concentrating more on Alexander's personal issues and less on what he actually accomplished. For Alexander's accomplishments in and of themselves could have provided more than enough material upon which to base a drama. That Alexander is depicted as constantly bickering with his companions and even having some kind of strange relationship with his wife detracts from the fundamental premise of the movie - that Alexander was a special person who accomplished a lot in a relatively brief period of time. One should be warned that if you are expecting a documentary about Alexander, this is not the movie to watch. Nevertheless, this movie is still worth a look. It's not the greatest movie, far from it, but at least it will let you know that Alexander DID exist, that he DID conquer almost all of the known world and that what he DID still generates interest 2,500 years later.