Prefer to watch paint dry

Rating: Null/10 (1 October 2004)

I really wanted to like this film. The director is a firm favorite of mine and you have many good strong actors in the leads, such as Eric Bana and Brad Pitt. So the least I was hoping for was a Gladiator-esque type film.
The film centers around one of the greatest warriors of Ancient Greece, Achilles, who is persuaded to help the 'sadistic' Greeks to call an all-out war on the Trojans because of one Greek woman Helen who didn't want her Greek husband but preferred a Trojan prince instead and decides to run away with him back to Troy.
It will not be a spoiler I guess to explain that the movie tries to disregard Homer's epic tale and uses a whole lot of artistic license with the plot of the movie, that makes the Greeks look like heartless barbarians who you really want to lose. You are rooting for the Trojans all the time.
I was sorely disappointed. This film is proof positive that lots of money, a good director and good big name actors do not necessarily conjure up a formula for a great film.
The biggest disappointment was the acting however, which was consistently bad from everyone. Strained and very unnatural, it was very uncomfortable to watch.
Go watch paint dry instead. I promise you it will be more entertaining.