Movie Reviews
But just like these treasured films of the past, “Troy” is big...very big. The epic sets and locations are wonderful, and the battle scenes are interesting. However, it was the dialogue that nearly destroyed this film. It is just like it used to be, very sharp to emphasize a point or an emotion. And I think that the writer, David Benioff ("25th Hour") wanted to sort of pay homage to the epics of generations ago, but didn’t understand the fact that films are much different than they were before. If he was going to copy them (which would have been fine with today’s technology), the entire film needed to be like them. The difference is that they used our modern technology as an advantage. They took a little of the old and a little of the new, and combined them. Some people may love that, but I must say that I tolerated it.
As for acting, the film is filled to the brim with big-name actors. Playing Achilles is Brad Pitt, who was good, but didn’t exactly fit the role, Eric Bana, who was surprisingly good as Prince Hector, and Orlando Bloom, who greatly overplayed the role of Paris. He was just plain bad. The whole story revolves and essentially evolves around his character: he steals the wife of King Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson) of Sparta, Helen (Diane Kruger). The king takes this as an insult, considering he had just made peace with Troy. Menelaus approaches his brother, King Agamemnon (the always reliable Brian Cox) and asks for his help in the invasion of Troy to get his wife back. Agamemnon agrees, but only because of his lust of more lands.
So, in all honesty, a thousand ships are sent off solely for one woman. I felt that the relationship between Paris and Helen was not explained well at all. When Paris comes to Helen’s room one night to ‘bed’ her, she says that he shouldn’t be there. He replies by saying, “What about last night?” To which Helen retorts, “Last night was a mistake.” Right after she says this, they have sex. Now was that statement justified? She ends up fleeing her country with Paris and goes to Troy with him. She says to him that she “wants to grow old with someone.” I highly doubt that, seeing as how she considered the nights before a mistake.
There are many flaws in this film. But because of its beauty and its rousing action, I mentally forgive it all and have a great time watching it. You can’t watch this without doing so. As I said, it’s a massive film (budgeting at about $200 million), and I couldn’t help but be glued to the screen as each shot unfolded.
I’ve always had a motto that cinematography and music could make or break a film. In this case, both make it so much better. The photography (by Roger Pratt) is dazzling. I literally kept rubbing my eyes to make sure what I just saw was real.
Despite the errors, and the occasional bad acting, “Troy” is easily worth admission price. Just look out for the sexual content (especially on the part of Mr. Bloom), because there are enough bare rears to last a lifetime here. And if you hate the film and get nothing out of it, at least you’ll know why we have Trojan condoms. ** ˝