Ben
Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0
Stars ììì
Troy—a
laugh-out-loud farce labeled entertainment—is hampered by its casting, addendum
nudity without reference to the storyline, and an old story that just doesn’t
need to be made into a film again. While the movie is somewhat saved by Brad
Pitt (Achilles), it completely loses credibility by casting Eric Bana (Hector) and
Orlando Bloom (Paris) in warrior roles. Eric Bana appears as a model and would
be better cast in romantic roles rather than in warrior roles. The same is true
for Orlando Bloom. He’s not a warrior type. Brad Pitt comes across as ‘part’
warrior, but barely skims by in this film. Some casting perks are the extra
tall, warrior-looking actors placed with Agamemnon (Brian Cox), King of Mycenae
(located in modern Greece), and Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), King of Sparta
(located in modern Greece). Cinematics perform at a fair to middling
standard—okay, not great. Menelaus’, King of Sparta, wife, Helen (Diane Kruger),
has been stolen by Paris, Prince of Troy (located in modern Turkey). A war
begins. Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, loses his younger brother Menelaus, King of
Sparta, to a dual with Paris, Prince of Troy, a dual finished by Paris’
brother, Prince Hector of Troy. Achilles, a Greek warrior, loses his beloved
cousin in a night-time skirmish battle to Prince Hector of Troy so Achilles has
a dual with Prince Hector the following morning and claims victory. Achilles
drags Prince Hector’s dead body behind his chariot to King Agamemnon’s camp,
but Priam, the King of Troy (Peter O’Toole), secretly comes to see Achilles and
tells him to release his son’s body so that he gets a proper burial. Achilles acquiesces
and gives Priam, the King of Troy, 12 days to mourn before resuming the war.
The movie ends with the sacking of Troy, burial of Achilles, and the residents
of Troy fleeing to Mount Ida.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Additional Thanks
Good
Work for Director and Producer Wolfgang Petersen. Additional thanks goes to
Producers Diana Rathbun and Colin Wilson for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Triopas (Julian Glover), Boagrias (Nathan Jones),
Agamemnon’s Officer (Adoni Maropis), Messenger Boy (Jacob Smith), Nestor (John
Shrapnel), and Polydora (Siri Svegler).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. This film fails on many counts.
Video Critique Available Here:
Ben Meyers
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