The Iliad on film
Troy
Review by Ross Anthony

Troy projects expansive images across the screen. Huge panoramic shots of sandy beaches teaming with soldiers ready, seemingly ecstatic, to give their lives for the current whim of some king or flirtatious fancy of some young prince. These images coupled with a thick sweepingly melodramatic score on occasion approach impressive. But most of the time they're squarely adequate.

That said, battle sequences play well, believable, without going over the top, still again, seldom are they spectacular. And these are the film's greatest assets. Though Brad Pitt is an able actor, those abilities are extremely limited here, namely to his appearance and strong screen presence. Achilles seems to be quite an interesting character (I did not read Homer's novels) but this script offers only a surface view. A few other apt actors grace screen (Sean Bean, to name one), but for the most part, the acting factor matches that of the dialogue in the 'not much of interest here' department. Exceptions are rare. Though, I did like the line: "War is young men dying and old men talking." And a scene between Pitt and O'toole compels.

Read fast, this two-plus hour flick opens with a text preamble that flashes some hard-to-read fonts in a short period of time. Suffice to say - a long time ago a bunch of Greek kings were fighting each other for land, power, glory, (and occasionally love). There's a lot of overblown talk about glory, legend and names that live on. Since much blood is shed over love in this film, that love chemistry should have been fiery and passionate.

A kings and killing, damsels and glory, film that lacks spiritual or cinematographic warmth. Troy was shot in Malta and Mexico.



  • Troy. Copyright © 2004.
  • Starring Brad Pitt, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger, Orlando Bloom, eric Bana, Peter O'Toole.
  • Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.
  • Screenplay by David Benioff (Inspired by Homer's The Iliad).
  • Produced by Wolfgang Petersen, Diaa Rathbun, Colin Wilson at Warner Bros Pictures/Radiant/Plan B.



Grade..........................C+ (1/4)



Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 07:52:04 PDT