Fine summer fun, worth the price of admission

Rating: Null/10 (2 June 2004)

I love "Troy". It doesn't want to be an Oscar contender; it doesn't want to be a Cliff's Notes version of "The Iliad". What it wants to be is good summer fun and it does that beautifully.
The film belongs to Eric Bana's Hector. It's a true testament to what a good actor can do in a well-written role. Orlando Bloom has received some criticism for being wimpy and dramatic in the role of Paris, but that's exactly how Paris is supposed to be characterized. The fact that Bloom portray Paris in that way and still gain understanding and a little sympathy for his actions from the audience speaks volumes to his ability as an actor.
He just needs a role that will let him shine.
The Greeks were admirably portrayed as well. Sean Bean is smooth, charming, and smart in his portrayal of Odysseus. The little amount of screen time he got is a crime. Brad Pitt stretches his acting muscles admirably (anyone who claims Brad Pitt can't act is going on zero or limited exposure to him at his craft and/or is operating under the shallow assumption that anyone who looks that classically handsome can't act). I just don't recommend he make historical epics like this a prominent feature in his career.
The women were a bit disappointing. Diane Krueger has the physically characteristics it takes to play Helen, but none of the talent and charisma to be believable. Saffron Burrows is moving but underused as Andromache. Alone, Rose Byrnes gives the movie a strong female presence. Her spirited yet tragic portrayal of Briseis leaves me wondering what she could have done in the role of Helen, which she was originally considered for. The presences of Hector and Paris' mother Hecuba (whose revenge against the Greeks for her family's fate was so terrible that even today her name is associated with evil witchcraft) and their tragically prophetic sister Cassandra are sorely missed.