this is good and fresh, a true remake

Rating: 10/10 (8 March 2008)

In fact, while I initially rate it an 8 overall, I may raise the rating. i rarely rate a movie with a 10 immediately. It has to sink in.
That said, this story is the Iliad, with little amendments here and there, and yet, it is still the most faithful to Homer's original. Yet, the clever rewrite makes it superior.
The Iliad was originally about the disagreement between Agammemon and Achilles. The former is portrayed true to form. He is supposed to be a cruel, stubborn character. So is Achilles. This movie is actually the truest to the book, of all the movies.
The clever rewriting gives a good look at the war, and gives a credible account, even more credible than the poem of old. And who really knows what the original story was, since it was changed so many times before being put to print. And various generations would fit in their own versions to suit the rulers of the time. After all, it was to rulers that bards sang.
For those who don't know, Troy is ruled by Priam, whose oldest son, Hector, is a valiant fighter, and his younger son, Paris, a lady's man. Paris absconds with the wife of Meneleus, Helen of Troy, which sends the Greeks to Ilium (Troy), which most people assume to be Turkey.
Now this is a romanticized reason. And the real reasons for war were supposed to be for monetary trade reasons (probably spices). At any rate, other more realistic reasons are given in the movie.
But the movie is more than just the war. It explores the characters much better than Homer ever did. We think of Homer as a great poet, but in truth, he (or they, since Homer is considered to be more than one poet) is overrated. The characters are quite identifiable, and they draw us into this world of war.
The acting and directing is stellar. Pitt actually reminds a viewer of Crowe, and he gives a subtle, but unmistakeably great acting job. In fact, this is made possible because the entire cast is superb. And in such a case, one must credit the director and editors, too. An all around top job by the entire crew.
The movie is long, but not boring. It quickly flows from action to action, from consequence to consequence.
I didn't think I would like this movie. This was an excellent movie. It is a true remake, because it adds elements of its own to make a story we can accept, believe, and watch.
Big thumbs up.