May be not that good, but very entertaining

Rating: 7/10 (30 May 2004)

'Troy' is based on Homer's 'The Illiad' but has changed the story from a Greek myth to a Hollywood epic tale. That is not a good thing, but it definitely gives us entertaining results. This Hollywood version shows us the Trojan War a little simplified. The reason of this war between the Greek king Agamemnon (Brian Cox) and the Trojan king Priam (Peter O'Toole) is Helen (Diane Kruger). Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) has taken her from Agamemnon's brother Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson) and Agamemnon sees this as the perfect opportunity to conquer Troy. The Greek have Achilles (Brad Pitt) and the only man Achilles is able to respect, Odysseus (Sean Bean). The Trojans have prince Hector (Eric Bana). Both Achilles and Hector belong to the greatest heroes from the Greek stories.
How the story unfolds I will not reveal although the trick with the Trojan Horse is probably familiar with most people. Like I said the movie is not that good, especially on certain levels, and for some that makes sure they will not like the movie. It is true that computer generated armies are not that impressive anymore, it is true that people here talk as they are in a Hollywood romantic comedy, it is true that Brad Pitt, a fine actor, is very miscast as Achilles, it is true that the war doesn't seem to take ten years, it is true that Diane Kruger doesn't make her Helen worth fighting for and it is true that the movie sometimes has its focus on the wrong things.
That said, let me focus on the good things. May be the great battles are not that good, although they are entertaining enough, but I have to admit that the inevitable fight between Achilles and Hector is one of the best I have seen. The movie knows that we are not supposed to have a favorite and therefore the sequence is even more exciting. Other action sequences are at least spectacular. There is a fight between Paris and Menelaos who wants his vengeance and the movie makes the right choices in how to shows this sequence.
Pitt, Bloom and Kruger are not very good, or at least miscast. True, but Bana and especially Gleeson, Cox and O'Toole are terrific in their roles. O'Toole is mentioned as very positive not for the first time for his performance in 'Troy', his scenes are the best on the emotional level. Most other things are not very good on the emotional level. The cinematography is not bad although it uses the same trick over and over again. The camera starts with a low shot and then it lifts to show how grand and great it all looks. Admittedly, it looks great. Its production design, costumes, visual effects and score from James Horner are close to flawless.
Considering all the above you can understand that 'Troy' is a movie with many flaws, some on pretty important levels. I realize that, but if the flaws are not that distracting and the entertainment is as good as in 'Troy' I don't want to complain too much.