Definitely Thumbs Up

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2004)

As a Literature Major, it was hard to go to a movie when I knew that it would be based off of one of the most incredible epics ever written. I feared for the accuracy, but told myself that I must see it with an open mind and understanding. While I can tell you now that many things about the movie were inaccurate, I can understand that they were decided upon for good reasons and overall, the movie was a plus.
As a movie fan, I think Troy was exceptional. The action was well choreographed, the visuals absolutely stunning at times, and I honestly believe that the actors were chosen very well for each character. I would like to state now that Eric Bana absolutely stole the show as Hector, I believe. When he was on the screen, you felt riveted and moved by his stellar performance. He managed to bring all aspects of the complicated character of Hector (father, son, prince, warrior, leader, husband, brother) to light and you truly felt for this man. It could have been done terribly in the hands of a bad actor, but Eric Bana really shone.
Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom were well suited to their characters, and both performed up to expectation, but I fear they were just outmatched by the talent of Bana and the overall better character of Hector. Yet Pitt did a very good job of showing many sides of the angry, troubled Achilles, so you both loathed and sympathized with the warrior. Bloom also brought a bit of sympathy to the playboy-like Paris, who otherwise always seemed a coward and a foolish man. In Troy, he was both, but also you felt pity for his position and Paris seemed like a very simple, young boy thrown into a pit of larger-than-life heroes, and he just could not compete. Bloom pulled that off well.
Overall, the acting was admirable, and I give it a thumbs up.