Appealing interpretation of the myth

Rating: 8/10 (16 October 2014)

I think many people complain about Troy's departures from the Iliad. But anyone who has ever actually read the Iliad knows that a screen by screen rehash of it probably would not work, it would involve a lot of CGI gods and warriors who seem like little more than chess pieces on the chess board of the gods.
Personally, this is one of the few times changes to a story are actually appealing. In the Iliad the Greeks are portrayed as basically being the good guys, and since it is a Greek story that's understandable. But Troy reflects the differences in our culture and the world today than when the Iliad was written, and in an appealing way. No one in their right mind today would think it just an entire city destroyed and its people enslaved over a royal love triangle. So Troy just sort of brings to the surface the flaws in the Greek cause that are mostly ignored in the Iliad. Not normally a Brad Pitt fan, but he did a fine job as Achilles, added more depth to the character.
****SPOLIERS**** Yes, it could have stuck a little closer to the myth, like the fates of Menelaus and Agamemnon, but it is a well worthwhile watch. Basically many things are the same, the Greeks still win with the wooden horse, Achilles still defeats Hector near the end, Paris still steals Helen. But you may find the changes appealing in surprising ways if you give the movie a chance.