**some spoilers, but not too bad** It might have reminded some of Gladiator because it stole the music and even some quotes. "We'll be together in this world or the next." paris to helen. I'll admit that actually reading the Iliad and studying it ruined this movie for me. It was definately distorted by Hollywood. Also, it seemed like George Lucas wrote the script. "YOU SACK OF WINE!" had me rolling on the floor with laughter. I hated the fabricated love interest of Achilles, it reminded me of the love story in pearl harbor. In addition, the story just seems to lose significance without the role of gods and fate. Who gives a crap about Achilles if he's just some human? Why does it matter if he gets shot in the ankle? I also hated the guy with the blue eyes, I can't remember his name and I didn't even remember him from the story. Some of his reactions were just awful. Overall, the movie was entertaining. Just be warned, if you've read the Iliad, don't get your hopes up.
I, personally, liked the movie, even though it was rushed, the music sucked, and they played with the story.
The movie was good. I was thoroughly entertained. All $200 million of it's budget appeared on screen. I've also been using Achilles' line for every thing now. To my boss: "TPS report. Take it! It's yours!" To my wife: "Dinner. Make it! I'm hungry!"
Achilles decides to avenge his cousin's death and kill Hector before he is told of the relationship between Hector and Briseis. Achilles in the movie does not participate in the sacking of Troy. He was only looking for Briseis.
If I hadn't read Homer's Illiad and gone in expecting to see that portrayed on screen, I probably would have liked the movie. Couple of things, one the abscence of the gods. I mean they are there in Homer's account. They just are, so the abscence of them must be for a point....the point being, as portrayed by Achilles' death, how myths come about i.e. he's shot in the heel, and then shot like 4 times in the chest and pulls those out so when he's found with one in the heel, a myth becomes borne. I personally think that takes away a lot from the Homeric version, but thats why they called it "Troy" instead of "the Illiad". 2. The Trojans aren't nasty enough. Ultimately, this is why Troy loses, because Zeus wants to teach them that their ways (Paris' stealing of Helen is indicative of how the Trojans were) needed to be ammended. Instead, all the negative aspects of Achilles are outlined. 3. Achilles doesn't get mad enough. I mean the opening line, speak muse of the rage of Pellius' son, never really comes true, and the dispute (Achilles not being honored) is not clear. 4. For the greatest war ever is sure was shorter than the real thing. One could go away thinking the war took a month rather than 10 yrs. 5. I hope they weren't planning on making an Oristia Trilogy since they killed off Agamemnon. Also how do they plan to make The Odyssey without the gods? I did like the Aeneas reference. Wonder if they will call that one "Rome". So basically just a lot of little things, because I am a nerd, pissed me off because the original work loses so much.
*spoliers* The movie was produced very well and its cinematrography was amazing with all the battle scenes. Everything seemed to be very authentic with that being said what i thought was lacking in this film was the clear cut protaganist/antagonist. Someone touched on it earlier saying that they liked how there was no true bad/good guy, but I feel for a film dealing with a story of this nature there needs to be one. Books can never be properly translated to the big screen but different things are expected from movies. I've never read the Illiad, but I have some knowledge on the Trojan war. Thats what i thought stopped the movie from being considered a great epic (along the lines of braveheart, gladiator, but not quite as good) from a good epic. I found myself thinking throughout the movie who to like and who to hate. Both main characters (Bana and Pitt) made cases to like them and to dislike them and in some ways Pitts character was very hypocritical towards the end. As the movie ended I felt no real emotions at all for anyone unlike in Braveheart and Gladiator both of which truly moved me. Thats what will make this movie just an entertaining one, but never a great film. (Also the soundtrack to this film isnt nearly as good as I hope it would be)
Concur with Yoyo, now that you remind me, the soundtrack seemed pedestrian. Even some overused stuff like in Platoon would have been better, here Gladiator really shines over Troy. The over use of the obvious musical flourishes started grating because the music wasn't so good.
That movie was off the hook. The fight scenes were incredible. I never paid much attention to Brad Pitt but I thought he played a good role in the movie.
