Arrogant and Superficial (possible spoilers)

Rating: 3/10 (16 May 2004)

Troy - */****
There will be quite a lot of disdain for this film, and most of it from scholars who have read and love Homer's epics. Once you view this film, you will clearly see why. Hollywood has, yet again, taken a classic (one could say the greatest classic) and mutilated the story to cater to the much more inept, action loving public. Several characters, Menelaus and Agamemnon in particular, have their stories so ridiculously altered, its as if the screenwriter, David Benioff, took a crash course in Greek Mythology and fell asleep during the Orestia.
But perhaps you don't care about historical inaccuracies. Even then, this film still fails to deliver. Like all visually dependent films, Troy is an arrogant and superficial movie, lacking character development and thematic scope. Petersen seems to be constantly showing off, as if he believes he is enlightening the audience with his "amazing" and "educational" movie.
The only redeeming quality this film has are its visuals. The special effects and cinematography rival that of Lord of the Rings. Not to mention that every young girl will be drooling all over the lead cast. The acting is very poor (with or with out sex appeal), with exception to Brian Cox and Peter O'Toole, as plot and character development is slim to none. The film gives the impression that both the director and screenwriter ordered more than they could handle, and the actually decent actors were left with the bill.
The musical score is just as arrogant as the script. At times, James Horner sounds like he's trying to glorify the violence and brutality that is taking place, which is the opposite intention of Homer's Iliad. I began to think this film would have been 100 times better if there was no musical score. At least it would have seemed slightly more honest.
Troy may be a visual tour-de-force, but it is on par with such sentimental, and historically inaccurate movies as Pearl Harbor. Scholars and lovers of Homer's epics, be warned! If you like violent action, excitement, and fast-food-style screenwriting, Troy is your summer movie. But please, for Homer's sake, always keep in mind that this is NOT the Iliad.
One star out of four.