A trashy adaptation of a Great Classic

Rating: Null/10 (18 May 2004)

*Contains Spoilers*
My feelings for this movie is somewhat mixed. There were some great acting from the veterans like Brian Cox (Argamemnon), Sean Bean (King of Ithaca) but much lacking in Orlando Bloom (Paris), Brad Pitt (Archilles), Diane Krueger (Helen of Sparta) and Rose Byrne (Briseis).
I couldn't care much for Brad Pitt's acting; I can't even remember his lines, but he is ideally casted for the fighting scenes. His athletic ability shines in the sword fighting display, that has swift moves, making it almost dance-like. And you cannot deny that he is one strong man.
Diane Krueger's acting is so weak as Helen that you do not understand why the war was started all because of her. Yes, she is beautiful but you wonder is there anything beyond that?
It also could do away with the utterly redundant partial nude/nude scenes littered within the movie; it just distracts the audience from the main story line. As this is pretty much a war epic, I guess Mr. Petersen is just trying to get the attention of the ladies in the audience by lingering on these love scenes, close-ups of Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana and and the very buff Brad Pitt. However, these only made me feel like I am reading another Mills & Boons, disguised as a great classic.
And the scripts have left much to be desired. There were too many clichés; enough to make me cringe in my seat. And sexist remarks like - "Men are foolish creatures" and "Women has a way of complicating things". Bad, bad, bad.
If you ever were to watch the movie, let it be for the art direction, epic war scenes, beautiful costumes and props. Other than that and you will be sadly disappointed. Unless that is if you love a good trashy novel.