A film which grows on you

Rating: 6/10 (6 March 2007)

When I first saw this film I found it a disappointment. The historical inaccuracies were terrible, I mean really bad. Not just small mistakes like they didn't use that sword at that time but major characters being killed who didn't die in the the Illiad and also the ridiculous idea of the Trojan war lasting 2 weeks?
Apart from the historical inaccuracies there was the problem of Brad Pitt's acting. It takes about 5 minutes to realise that Pitt uses one method of facial action for each emotion. When he is angry he pouts, when he is happy he pouts, when he is making love... he pouts. Yep that's pretty much it.
Also I found the casting stupid as well (I mean who decided on the actresses for Helen and Hector's wife? I mean come on!). Also the master stroke of Sean Bean playing Odysseus, the only 'good' Greek, ha!...the irony!.
However after watching the film again I am able to see the positives. Despite Pitt, on the whole the actors do a good job. Eric Bana who is a constant danger of being a good actor is the only character I actually like. Hector makes you want to support the Trojans and I found that I supported the Trojan cause much more than the Greek cause.
The film is actually pretty enjoyable. The fight scenes are no Helm's deep or Osgiliath but they still can hold their own.
In short I liked this film because it does grow on you. However it is no LOTR killer which it set out to do. Really its just a combination of decent to mediocre actors saying one liners throughout, with a huge budget for the director to waste.