MUCH better than I thought it would be!

Rating: 9/10 (11 January 2005)

The previews made this seem a (yawn) CGI special effects movie, but instead it narrows its focus to concentrate on various relationships against the background of war: brothers, cousins, lovers, parents, friends. Some of the dialogue is beautifully poetic, and the sets and costumes are stunning. A short documentary on the DVD made me appreciate the group battle scenes.
It's been DECADES since I read a Cliff's Notes Iliad (our class had to read the Odyssey instead) and so the ending had me scratching my head because it didn't match what I thought had happened. Lo and behold, artistic license was taken with the fates of some major characters, but it was done to add to the completeness of the movie and create a satisfying whole.
I'm a big Brad Pitt fan, but will admit that in some scenes he seems to be sleeping his way through. (That's okay; I can watch him sleep for hours.) In others, though, he does extremely well, and his battles (without stunt doubles) are spectacular. But it is Eric Bana, Sean Bean and Peter O'Toole who outshine everyone else.
Iliad purists may rant, but this movie is sending me to reread (or read without Cliff's Notes) the original material. Excellent entertainment! (Don't forget your Kleenex!)