A Big-Budget Film that Feels Like Regional Theater

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2004)

We are currently riding out a wave of old fashioned "Toga" movies, as the New York Times has referred to the onslaught of post-Gladiator action-dramas set in classical times. Now I enjoyed Gladiator the first few times I saw it, while in the long run it's appeal faded, it was, unquestionably, an epic film. Walking in to Troy
I was looking forward, at the very least, to watching an impressive cast act out an age-old story about gods and warriors. I was expecting, at the very least, an epic. To my disappointment what I saw was a film with cheesy, computerized sets, ridiculous computerized armadas, weak continuity and only surface level similarity to the work by Homer. The screenplay was awkward and at times indecipherable, the acting, if it can be called acting, was beyond disappointing, considering the actors who's bodies, if not minds, appeared on screen. The direction at best mimicked other films, including "Saving Private Ryan" and "Gladiator". At it's worst it left me praying for a quick ending, something this film definitely did not deliver. What it did give was a few impressive fight scenes involving Pitt's Achilles, and a greater appreciation for every other "Toga" epic ever made. There are a few massive battle scenes, however no flexing of special effect muscle can make up for such an inept screenplay and such lackluster direction. If you want to see an epic, rent "Spartacus", it has it's fair share of cheesy dialogue and amusing costumes, but what it has that "Troy" absolutely lacks is a purpose.