Good but not spectacular, missing that special something

Rating: Null/10 (6 June 2004)

Not a bad movie but it just doesn't have any soul. Comparisons to some recent movies are pretty obvious  LOTR, Peter Jackson's baby was full of its directors love and admiration for the original book, 'Gladiator' was obviously Crow's labour of love. Those were two great movies with lots of character  'Troy' is a good movie too, it just doesn't have that special 'it'. I went to see the movie really expecting the worst after reading some reviews from reviewers whom I usually trust and respect  actually I didn't want to see the movie, but my wife really wanted to see Mr. Pitt  this time however I don't agree with most nay-sayers. I guess my partial approval for that movie comes from the fact my expectations were so low, but anyway, some aspects of it are OK. Eric Bana is very good in the movie. I can still remember him playing little comedy sketches on Australian TV and I was really unconvinced of his abilities as an actor (well, 'Chopper' should have changed my mind I suppose) but he proves to be a very good and versatile one in this movie. He plays the role of Hector with a lot of dignity and pride. He is THE star in 'Troy' I think. Brad's Achilles is very different to Homer's Achilles. I guess that's how the character was written, not really Pitt's fault, but I didn't find him very convincing as such. If anything, he inspired me to work out harder at the gym  perfect six-pack, oh where are thou?  so I guess his role wasn't totally wasted. As to the rest, Helen was pretty badly miscast I think (the actress playing her is quite beautiful but not nearly goddess-like as I believe is required by this character), Peter O'Toole is very good (as always), Sean Bean acts quietly somewhere in the background and that's pretty much it. The battle scenes are good but only just good. LOTR really raised the bar of battle scenes and 'Troy' unfortunately never cleared it. One-on-one fight scenes however are very good, Achilles vs. Hector is IMHO one of the best duels ever. Cinematography is solid but uninspired, score is bland and as I have already mention, the movie just doesn't have that special 'it', simply has no soul. Perhaps one of the reasons for it, is that it's just too short for what is was trying to show. I would have to sit longer in the cinema watching it but I wouldn't mind watching 4-hour long DVD special versions (perhaps one close to the original). Oh, the original. At least I'm glad they called it 'Troy' and not 'Iliad'. The plot, the characters, the story is changed so much there are just shades of the original there  don't watch it if you love Homer's classic, it's going to break your heart. One could only imagine what would happen to Peter Jackson if he had taken so many liberties with LOTR  I'm sure he would get lynched by Tolkien's fans! I give it 6 out of 10. It's not as bad as some make it to be, but classic it is not. Anyway, I'm off to the gym to work on my abs!