A Song of Pitt and Bana.

Rating: 8/10 (30 April 2014)

I suggest fans of A Game of Thrones rewatch this film, as I'm almost certain they will appreciate it all the more.
Written by David Benioff, the man responsible for bringing the SOIAF series to HBO, Troy shares a number of resemblances to the acclaimed stories. What both tales do so well is create ambiguous characters, blurring the hero/villain dichotomy. Achilles (Pitt) is a bit of a prat, and Paris(Bloom)is a fool, leaving Hector (Bana) the 'hero' if one must be assigned.
The film is a blockbuster at the end of the day, and the acting is of variable quality, but this adaptation is a strong depiction of the honour and respect of Ancient Greek warfare- if not particularly faithful to its mythology. Going beyond the brief appearances of Ned Stark (Sean Bean) and Maester Pycelle (Julian Glover), Benioff's two productions converge with the multiple deaths of main characters, and the conflicted emotions felt by the audience. Without elaborating, players on both sides meet their end, and we are not necessarily aligned to wish death upon either party.
Focusing on the humanity and personality of individual soldiers creates a powerful emotional connection to both warring parties; a complex narrative achievement perhaps all too often taken for granted.