Really Good.

Rating: 10/10 (25 November 2004)

I don't think it was as messy as many claim; that unchained chaos some critics say runs rampant is very appropriate, especially with the subject at hand and when you're on campaign! I don't like some of the assessments, ex, with the battles, because every person who (doesn't have a time machine) hasn't served their country (almost the entire country), their opinions are baseless. You can't compare the pandemonium of war to the glamorous vision Hollywood feeds you either (a film isn't less for lacking in it); Alex and his boys aren't going to show off to their enemies with some bullet time moves when dodging arrows and Alex isn't going to jump off Bucephalus and pull a Legolas with that Indian elephant. The hectic made it real.
Aside from some annoying chomping-giggling girls behind me in the theaters, that's all that could fall under irking or things that needed improvement... although, those girls did urge A and H to kiss when it seemed like they were and disappointed when they didn't, as well as clapped at the end. That was cute, the only thing cute from them, 'cause afterwards they drove me and everyone around them crazy with their chatter!
Speaking of close proximity, I couldn't get enough of the moments and drama between Alexander and whoever else, be it Olympias, Phillip, Cleitus, or Hephaistion, although the latter is my favorite, and fortune does indeed favor the *bold*! Damn, did I love their screen time (chemistry) and praised the film for its display. I was shaking the whole film (so excited and nervous) and gasped and cried (horrible, I know, but there were others crying, so I didn't feel alone) when Hephaistion died while Alexander was telling him their future together. I wanted to scream at Alexander to shut up and turn around, lol. His scream and view afterwards was great.
The performances, the dialogue, the raw emotions, I did not find to be over dramatic. Most situations (all situations?) characters were fighting for their lives and futures, so I wouldn't take that lightly unless you didn't see yours or others as much. The scenery (beautiful), the battles (the battle in India, awesome), and all the rest, were gorgeous and grand. The quotes and symbolism were all lovely, and I did feel like such a massive (ever proud) nerd for the prior knowledge and knowing who quoted what. The accents I had no problem with; again, it did its distinguishing and as with the dialogue, took away that modern feel and made you feel more like you were there.