Political overtones spoil great action movie.

Rating: 6/10 (14 July 2005)

Wolgang, Wolfgang. Why must you take a classic story and twist it around to reflect your modern political bias? The Iliad portrayed the characters of the Trojan war as flawed, on both sides of Troy's city walls. However, it was the Trojans that were the villains. Paris is a cowardly thief, Hector is treacherous, and Priam a manipulative psychotic. The only reason I see for making the Trojans the "good guys" is to draw attention to current events. Let me see, who might the Greeks, imperialistic invaders, represent? And the middle-eastern people, the Trojans, protecting their homeland? Hmmmmm? The Trojans are the strike-in-night terrorists and it very disturbing that Petersen turned that around. That being said...
The action in this movie is fantastic. Brad Pitt leaping in the air and striking his opponents comes right off ancient pottery. Fantastic. Peter O'Toole was great, but Bana looked lost most of the time.
Memo to Wolfgang--If you want to make a great film--don't monkey with a great story.
6 out of 10 for poor judgment