BB FANS

Before you read my review I am not familiar with "The Illiad by Homer", please bear this in mind.

TROY - 2hrs 42 minutes

Troy starts straight into action, the first moment it hits the screen. With its array of great actors and SFX it gets going at a good pace.

Brian Cox (May remember him from Xmen 2) plays Agememnon, leader of Mycenea who literally holds the leash of Achilles (Brad Pitt) and uses him for his own bloodlust. He knows that Achilles is only interested in battle and to be remembered in history for his heroic courage, he has the Ego of a 1000 men.

Agememnon uses Achilles to defeat the greatest warrior from the opposing army over a battle for the land at the start of the film. This is what the ancient custom was when it came to arguments and disputes, the best man from one army against the best man from the other. Obviously Achilles wins, otherwise Pitt would be only in the film for the first 5 minutes. Agememnon knows he can use Achilles at his will and calls him one of the sons of the gods, but despises parts of him. The same is said of Achilles who thinks Agememnon is not a great leader but as he has the army and the same outlook on warfare as himself, decides to be under his command (although Achilles is very much a free spirit).

The first battle shows Achilles for what he is, a one man killing machine. He releases one blow on the best of the opposition to fell him, then asks "Are there any more who wish to challenge". He gets no reply of course.

The movie is about the legend of the Trojan War which comes about when Paris (Orlando Bloom) the Prince of Troy seduces Helen (Diane Kruger) the State Queen of Sparta during a peace mission. This enrages the Husband of Helen, who happens to be the brother of Agememnon - Menelaus (Brian Gleeson). It also disturbs Hector, the Brother of Paris (Played by the AMAZING Eric Bana). Who tells Paris that you do not go on a Peace Mission and then leave with the Kings wife.

Let the War Commence......

The 1000 Ships set sail for Troy to take back Helen and to bring death to those who have taken her. With Achilles and Agememnon at the helm, their goal is to wipe out the city and take back Helen. Though they both have a love/hate relationship with each other, Pitt and Cox are quite good in these roles. You have to forgive the accents in this film, they go in and out during the whole time. Brian Cox sounds at times like he is out of Braveheart.

The Special Effects on the ships and battles are good in this day and age, outdone by Lord of the Rings but better than the normal standards of today. I would go on about the story but I would be giving away too much plot in describing it.

ERIC BANA (HECTOR) and PETER O TOOLE (King Priam of Troy) are the stars of the show here, both are great in their roles. The BEST SCENES in this film are 2 seperate moments when they both act with Pitt. BEWARE : There is very CHEESY dialogue in this film at times.

SEAN BEAN does an OK job as Odysseus, though the part with the Trojan Horse is quite a letdown for myself.

SAFFRON BURROWS who plays Andreomache is the best of the female actors, the cousin of Paris & Hector.

There are some parts you will laugh at, which should not be funny. Apart from that, Troy is an enjoyable movie - great for the Action lovers and the drama lovers too.

O'TOOLE steals the show along with BANA which is surprising considering PITT is the main star of this film.

All in All, TROY is an enjoyable flick which is along the lines of Gladiator. Not by any means as good as Gladiator but fun at least.

Call me a sadist, but I would've liked a lot more blood being spilt during the battle scenes and a lot more time taken on The Trojan Horse part of the film (Though Homer did not write this).

So if you can accept American, British and Scottish accents within a Greek Tragedy then go and catch it. It certainly wont be up for any Oscars considering the competition to come. But I found it enjoyable and entertaining and better than most of the dross I have seen over the last couple of months.

Though, if Peter O'Toole did win an oscar...you can safely say Mutter Chops will be crying when he receives it. He was due it for "LAWRENCE OF ARABIA" and to this day, I wish he gets one.

Overall Verdict: A bit above average, but no masterpiece. Its worth seeing though, dont get me wrong here.

MC rating: 6.8/10

wow! thanks for the review Mutter chops. keep 'em comin'

Thanks for your review MC

Thanks MC. I'm glad it turned out to be a good film after all. I have to bloody go see it now don't I?

Thanks for that Mutter Chops

HD, you will like it. I have a funny feeling.

A couple more films I will be reviewing over the next couple of days for you lot, including some DVD's which are just coming out or have been out Retail & Rental.

I doubt Troy will compare with the Oliver Stone film soon to be released this year (I think) "Alexander the Great" but its a fun flick at least.



And thank you for the feedback everyone.

I saw this on Saturday. It was sort of OK - enjoyable but wouldn't rush to see it again. Good job I had some choccies to eat Think it would lose a lot on a small screen. Peter O'Toole was wonderful. Brad Pitt was, well, Brad Pitt! Orlando Bloom was disappointing. Eric Bana (is that right?) was great.

Really enjoyed reading The Odyssey and The Illiad in my youth - think I may need to search the old bookshelves