A solid movie

Rating: 10/10 (1 January 2005)

Not completely historically accurate and it took some liberties (Not that I care because I don't) but it was remarkable in many aspects. The cast was more than adequate and the realism was impressive. You feel like you are in the middle of the action and it never lets up. Watch it with surround sound and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. I have never been a Brad Pitt fan and probably never will be but I have thought that three of his performances have been noteworthy (Seven, Interview with A Vampire especially) and this is the third. This film needed a big big name to play Achilles, the greatest warrior who ever lived and they found one. You actually like his character and want him to win the battles and get the woman he loves and who loves him more than anything. This is the romance that the viewer really cares about not the silly and ultimately self-destructive one between Bloom and Kruger. The women were also very beautiful and added nicely to the viewing experience. I am also not a big fan of "star-crossed lover stories" but they did a wonderful job of weaving in the romance with all the action sequences. Bravo Peterson for not trying to give us another friggin Titanic which we didn't want or need. Eric Bana did a fabulous job as Hector he gave the film added credibility and Sean Bean as Ulysses was also a good if unexpected pick. Peter O'Toole as King Priam didn't hurt either and Brian Cox is back in the saddle riding high as the SOB Lord of Men King of Kings Agememnon with some clever dialog and witty banter with Pitt. Almost as good as Gladiator and Braveheart to be sure a great way to spend a Friday night. If the Gods are pleased they will follow up with The Odyssey as a sequel I would love to watch that as well and don't forget to cast Bean again.