All In All, Not Bad!

Rating: 8/10 (25 August 2005)

*Before I begin I do not know if I'll end up writing a spoiler or not...so beware* I repeat THERE MAY BE SPOILERS!!!
I would like to begin by saying that Eric Bana's performance was absolutely wonderful and I'm not even a fan of his. The script definitely wasn't the greatest, but he made the best of it and when he died i even cried. It was so noble and beautiful.
The movie in itself was not too bad at all....some of the war scenes seemed to look the same, but was good none the less. There are definitely some historical mistakes, but it's a movie. There were parts where all the people would stop fighting and watch two people face off against each other. It just seemed weird to me, you don't see that kind of thing in most war movies no matter what century it's in.
Brad Pitt was definitely NoT for this movie, he could of been so easily recast better. He took the Achillies character and somehow made me really dislike his character. For me, I was easily able to hate him and I'm not a Brad Pitt basher....he's just definitely done better movies. This role wasn't for him and the accent he was trying to pull off wasn't well done. I must say that I was disappointed by this performance. Though, I must say that Brad's battle scenes were very well done and you could very easily believe he was the best fighter in the world and he took the text from the Illiad "fought with God like grace and strength" and brought that alive to the screen, so for that I must give a thumbs up.
Now Orlando Bloom's character of Prince Paris, I can say right now I''m a big Orlando fan, BUT this was not his best movie that is for sure!!! He was a totally wuss and had no honor. He caused the war with his girlfriend and the war was his and Helen's fault and he played THAT well. Some people....or I should say MANY people have said he SuCkEd in this movie, but those are harsh words. He played what he was supposed to be. A whiny little brat who wants what he wants and the script wasn't much to work with. SO I think all in all Orlando did a job well done, but definitely not one of his best films. It was funny how the wimp kills the best fighter. Some bad parts on Orlando's case is that he seemed to have no facial expression and in the bedroom scene with Helen(Diane Kruger), he tries to do 20 facial expressions in 20 seconds! *laugh*! Hilarious! But, at least you get to see him naked from the hips up. =)
Peter O'Toole's performance deserves an applause in my book and Í'm sure it wasn't easy for him since the word "gods" was in about 95% of all his lines, he still pulled it off well even though some have criticized his performance in this movie. He was the King of Troy and was able to be the father figure for the his two sons, be king of Troy and still be so compassionate. He held such a warm presence in this film and I loved it. He loved his sons, people, and country.
The man who played Agamemnon (name has slipped my mind right now) did a fabulous job, even though slightly annoying, was somewhat funny to watch. He was the "evil or bad guy" in this movie for sure...or it seems that way and he was a jerk most of the time, but I can't say much more than he played his character extremely well!
The three main women in this movie all did well since they had to hold themselves up to the many many many men characters in this movie. Diane Kruger however could of brought a little more to screen. Her and Paris(Orlando Bloom) were supposed to be lovers that brought war. I didn't really feel the passion and the emotion on screen at all and was disappointed. There was more love and emotion poured into Achillie's(Brad Pitt) and his love interest Briseis and I really didn't like that romance at all. I found it very unnecessary in so many ways. It was just not needed and I think the only reason it was added was to make Brad's character seem like more of a good guy since he killed of HEctor{Eric Bana). Hector and his wife Andromache even had more of a romance and emotion on screen that Helen and Paris and I just all in all found it a real shame. I mean, they DID start the war.
Sean Bean's character Odysess(name might be spelled wrong)was also well played and I loved how he was witty and strong. He just brought some kind of "lightness to the screen and a little humor" which I loved! The same can not be said for Achillie's cousin who was just an annoying little brat who wanted to fight and was glad he was finally killed in the movie. I found his even more annoying that some of Paris's(Orlando Bloom) scenes! Uhh!
But, all that said, I really enjoyed the movie, so much I bought the DVD *and I must add that I wish there were some better special features*. Anyway, I rate this movie 8/10 stars!