Legends of the Fall Part 2

Rating: 6/10 (10 May 2005)

Well, this movie had a lot of hype, and in some ways really delivered. The battle scenes were well done and exciting. There wasn't too much fast moving camera so you could at least follow the fight scenes a bit. The overall feel of the movie was enjoyable and the movie did what it set out to do. It made you love the characters they want you to love, feel sorry for the appropriate ones and hate others. All well directed.
For the most part the cast was excellent. Eric Bana and Brian Cox really steal the show as Hector and Agamamnon respectively. Brendan Gleeson was also superb as Menelaus. Orlando Bloom, Diane Kruger, Garrett Hedlund, and Peter O'Toole put up respectable performances. Another borderline scene stealer was Sean Bean as Odysseus. Brad Pitt however was utterly unpleasant. While I'm sure some ladies liked how he looked, he was the only misfit in the movie and was totally out of place in his role. Unfortunately this really wasn't so much a movie about Troy as it was about Achilles, which meant a lot of unpleasant scenes with an actor who wasn't holding his own. This alone almost ruined the movie, but the shoulders of Bana, Gleeson, Cox, and Bean were able to make this a movie worth watching.
Now, while this doesn't detract directly from the movie, it isn't a very exact representation of the Illiad. People die at the wrong times, the wrong people live, and basically it's simply a movie inspired by the Illiad. I won't go into specifics as I don't want to spoil the movie for those who haven't viewed it, but be prepared that this isn't the Illiad by Homer.
Overall, if you're interested, you should see it. You won't regret viewing it, but I doubt it'll be on too many people's top ten lists. It certainly could have been with a better actor for Achilles and following Homer's thoughts a little closer.