awful awful awful

Rating: 1/10 (9 December 2004)

This could pass by as the regular mildly entertaining glossy Hollywood production with an overdone score and grossly melodramatic acting, but unfortunately it doesn't even make that mark. I can't believe Oliver Stone directed this...not that I think he's a great filmmaker, but it seems with his experience he'd know how to write and direct a semi-decent script. In this film, however, he shows absolutely no sense for dramatic build. The film is so poorly structured that any opportunities the story gives to grasp the audience are completely destroyed. There is no suspense, no way to connect with the characters, no intrigue, no excitement...and this is ridiculous, considering Alexander the Great's life gives plenty to work with. What should be the most interesting parts of battle scenes are omitted, the action sequences are poorly timed and poorly placed. The inconsequential and
unnecessary flashback in the last half of the film is a perfect example of how terribly the film is structured. The acting could have been acceptable if the directing had been any good, but it's not. Consequently the characters are pitiful, and inspire in the audience none of the feelings they so exaggeratedly demonstrate on screen. Alexander is the most boring character of all. And this torturous nightmare lasts over two hours! I weep at the money that was wasted on this project.