The Wrath of Achilles

Rating: 8/10 (10 February 2005)

It's very easy to pick apart Troy. Not only does the film kill off major characters from Homer's epic "The Illiad", but it presents a Helen that makes Achilles' concubine, Briseus, more attractive than the face that launched a thousand ships. Despite its shortcomings, however, Troy is actually an excellent movie. Instead of focusing on the Trojan Horse or the kidnapping of Helen (both of which is NOT in the Illiad) the film focuses on the rocky relationship between the brilliant, bright-eyed warrior Achilles, and the Agammemnon, commander of the Greek forces.
While Achilles is doing all the work destroying the Trojans on the battlefield, King Agammemnon is getting all the credit. Achilles is not at all thrilled with serving for Agammemnon, and the hate both have for each other is displayed very well by the actors. The greedy and land hungry Agammemnon hates Achilles' insolence, but needs him to capture Troy. When Agammemnon takes away Achilles' "prize", the Trojan priestess Briseus for himself, Achilles sulks in his tent and refuses to fight. This is the central theme in Troy, and is also the main focus of Homer's "The Illiad".
With the notable exception of Helen, everyone is cast well for their roles. The brave and cerebral Hector, the idealistic but cowardly Paris, and the regal and proud King Priam all portray their characters well. The action is top-rate, with the opening scene and the one-on-one battle between Achilles and Hector highlighting the war scenes. The scene with King Priam asking Achilles for the body of his son is extremely touching and passionate and by far the best non-action scene in the film.
While the film is hardly the Illiad on film, you can't fault Troy for trying to take the focus off the love of Helen and Paris, the Trojan Horse, and the Greek gods for the Illiad's true plot, the wrath of Achilles.