It May Not Be 'The Iliad', But It's Still A Good Time at the Movies

Rating: 8/10 (17 May 2004)

Troy (2004) War Epic Reviewed 5/16/04 Starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, Peter O'Toole, Brian Gleeson
Plot: 2.3/2.5: This is the story of the fall of Troy, adapted from the epic poem 'The Iliad' by Homer. Achilles (Pitt) is the greatest soldier Greece has ever seen, and has one them many battles. Greece has finally made peace with Troy, much to the chagrin of Agamemnon (Cox), war pig and brother of Greece's king Menelaus (Gleeson). Unfortunately for peace, Menelaus' wife Helen (Kruger) has been having an affair Prince Paris of Troy (Bloom). When it is time for the Trojans to leave, Helen goes with Paris, and a war starts over love. The Greeks, led by Achilles, and the Trojans, led by Prince Hector (Bana) are now faced with one of the most memorable tales in Greece's history. The only reason I didn't give full points is because it apparently takes a few too many liberties. I have never read 'The Iliad', but apparently the war is supposed to last ten years, not three weeks. Achilles was also supposed to love his best friend Patrolocus, who is turned into his cousin in the movie, and Achilles falls for Trojan Breseis. These inaccuracies don't bother me since I never read 'The Iliad', but I couldn't bring myself to give full points.
Action: 2.5/2.5: The action is great. While the war scenes aren't on par with Braveheart, many of the fights are brilliant. The fight between Hector and Achilles is one of the best I have ever seen. Very entertaining.
Acting: 2.5/2.5: This is the category that may trouble some. While I never thought Bloom was great (he was terrible in Pirates of the Caribbean), his normal crappy approach works for the cowardly but determined Paris. Pitt is a pretty boy, and doesn't work wonders for me, but gets the job done as Achilles. Bean is a good Odysseus and Kruger is a decent Helen. I would have given a 2/2.5 for these alone, but Bana, Cox and O'Toole do such a great job, it is worth more than full marks. Bana did so good it almost made me feel bad he had anything to do with HULK (he should feel bad too). Cox has always struck me as great, and this proves it. O'Toole is a great Priam, and manages to keep his accent very much in check. I want to see all three get award noms for this.
Entertainment: 2.5/2.5: If you can sit through a 2 hour 45 minute movie, this is for you, no matter what.
Bonus -.2 for Pitt's almost nudity: Self explanatory.
Total: 96%: Now this is a movie. It is without a doubt the best of the year so far and it has a chance of doing well at the Oscars (but what do I know). While it is not as good as Braveheart, it is a great movie that anyone with any attention span should see.
Also See: Gladiator, Braveheart