Quality blockbuster based the epic story of the Trojan War

Rating: 9/10 (3 September 2009)

First of all, viewers need to keep in mind that this is a big-budget Hollywood portrayal of the historically ambiguous tale of the Trojan War, stories passed down by word-of-mouth and first written by Homer in "The Illiad/Odyssey" poems. The screenwriters *need* to condense and modify the story to make it a watchable length. Writer David Banoiff sticks with the core plot of the story but makes a bold, sensible decision not to incorporate the gods.
BRAD PITT portrays the one and only Achilles. If anyone were to be cast as a beautiful Greek hero, it would be Pitt. He physically plays the part of Achilles but brings such complex emotions to the character that you sympathize with a born killer. Out of all the characters, Achilles develops the most, and Pitt plays him exceptionally.
PETER O'TOOLE gives a beautifully heartbreaking performance as King Priam, the aged ruler of Troy. His regal manner makes his vulnerable moments all the more tragic.
ERIC BANA plays Hector, the older son of King Priam and first prince of Troy. He is a wise warrior forced to make difficult decisions. Bana understands these complexities of his character, torn between loyalty to his family, his duty to protect Troy, and his honor as a soldier. I might also add that Bana's muscular, 6'3" frame, makes for a physically realistic Greek hero and some awesome fight scenes.
ORLANDO BLOOM gives a spot-on performance as Paris, the callow young brother of Hector whose selfish actions cause a chain reaction. Bloom has often been criticized for his portrayal of Paris being lacking in depth. One must realize, however, that the character is a naive young prince with not enough life experience to understand love, death, or war. Bloom does an excellent job as the young boy who, beguiled by the beauty of Helen, believes he is in love and acts impulsively, leading to the downfall of his city and family. Paris begins to understand that he caused all the chaos and the guilt is felt.
DIANE KRUGER plays Helen, the woman "whose face launched a thousand ships". Kruger creates an excellent dynamic between her an Paris. As the older of the pair, she is more wise and understanding of consequences, but so miserable in Sparta that she runs away with an infatuated Paris. My only complaint is that she physically lacks the look of a beautiful Greek woman. Yes, she is beautiful with amazing blue eyes, but as someone of the Mediterranean, I prefer dark hair, dark eyes, and an olive complexion to realistically represent someone of the area.
The fight scenes were done with the perfect balance of moderate gore to understand the brutality, wide view shots to recognize the massive scale, and close views to stay connected with the action of particular characters. Pitt and Bana do excellent jobs with their fight scenes and for the most part you stay completely attached to the fighting, a difficult task to pull off in an action film, especially one of this historical grandeur.
To sum it up, an amazing cast with complex performances make this film quality, while the massive and impeccably choreographed fight scenes make it a big-budget blockbuster. There is something for everyone in this film, and can be appreciated by hard-to-please film critics, action junkies, mindless blockbuster movie goers, and Greek mythology lovers (if they can get past the lack of gods and enjoy a more human take on a story).