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Troy (1-Disc Edition) [2004]


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Editorial
Synopsis

With soaring photography that circles from above then swoops in for the action, TROY is Wolfgang Petersen's majestic presentation of the classic Greek legend. It tells the story of an epic battle over Helen (Diane Kruger), the queen of Sparta, who is kidnapped by her lover Paris (Orlando Bloom), the prince of Troy. This infuriates Helen's husband Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), whose brother Agamemnon (Brian Cox) convinces him to invade Troy and kill Helen. They recruit Achilles (Brad Pitt), the best warrior in Greece, whose bravery, quick feet, and remarkable swordsmanship (not to mention tan biceps, short kilts, and blond locks) have earned him a reputation that is almost as impressive as his ego. Achilles agrees to fight for Sparta, if only for the fame it will bring him. Even Achilles' mother, in a touching scene, advises him to forget mortal achievements and become a hero who will be remembered throughout history. Along with the invasion of Troy, a series of duals must also be fought: Paris, who is heartbreaking in his lovestruck naivety, must go up against the enraged Menelaus; and Achilles must settle a score with Hector (Eric Bana), who is fiercely dedicated to protecting his brother Paris and their father, the frail king Priam (Peter O'Toole). When the war finally ignites in its massive proportions, the action is awesome. And as the increasingly dramatic events play out, TROY earns its own timeless reputation among other action-adventure epics such as GLADIATOR and SPARTACUS.


Entertaining enough
Review date: 2008-03-27 Rating: 6 out of 10

For me this was an attempt to remake Gladiator on a grander scale. The same sort of etheral music is used. It has a very impressive cast list and uses a director who has made some excellent films in his time.

That it succeeds partially is a tribute to most of the cast. Brian Cox and Peter O'Toole both give fine performances as the respective Kings of Greece and Troy. Eric Bana is pretty good as Hector and even Brad Pitt is reasonable as Achilles. The battle scenes are well done, although the over reliance on CGI effects is painfully obvious in places.

However, Brad Pitt is not Russell Crowe (who when it matters is a really good actor), and for that matter Wolfgang Peterson is not as consistently a good filmmaker as Ridley Scott. In Gladiator I sympathised with Russell Crowe's character, and I hated Commodous. In Troy Hector was the most likable character but his future in the film was blatently obvious after a short period of time. Achilles was not a sympathetic character and sometimes I found Pitt a bit robotic. In fairness some of his fight scenes are very well done.

So its well worth watching, and at the right price I might buy it to watch again in five years time. BTW forget completely about any historical accuracy, its just a film.

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Reviews


I expected the worse and was pleasantly suprised
Review date: 2008-01-31 Rating: 8 out of 10

This film doesnt exactly keep faith with Homer's mythical epic poem. Troy has been Hollywoodised, but despite this I still enjoyed the movie. Eric Banna and Brad Pitt are excellent as Hector and Achilles and their duel had me on the edge of my seat. Orlando Bloom is ok but I found myself hating the character (Paris) that he played.

Many comparisons can be made between 'Troy' and '300'. Its not historically (or mythologically) acurate, the battle scenes might be over the top, but just leave your brain at the door and you'll enjoy this movie, just dont take it too seriously. If your familiar with Homers epic tale of Troy, this film might dissapoint you. But, if your not then just enjoy the film.

A good film and a worthy addition to my DVD collection.

Very watchable epic
Review date: 2008-01-11 Rating: 8 out of 10

If this is your sort of film, you will really enjoy this. Do not be put off by those 'experts' who have no time for films like this and didn't like the casting.

'Troy', is about the war between the Greeks and the Trojans. Brad Pitt is very convincing as the supreme ruthless Greek warrior 'Achilles', complete with attitude. Eric Bana is more refined as the Trojan warrior prince 'Hector', who also is the military brain in his army.

Orlando Bloom and Diane Kruger are lovers who plunge that corner of the world into war. If you don't know your history, you will enjoy the film all the more. Which warrior and which army will be victorious ??

Good support from Peter O'Toole, Brian Cox and Sean Bean.

There is a much longer 'directors cut' version of this, that some say is even better.


It is what it is
Review date: 2007-11-18 Rating: 6 out of 10

A shallow romp but beautifully done. Don't expect too much and you will enjoy it; except Orlando Bloom of course.

Orlando Bloom is in this ... enough said.
Review date: 2007-11-16 Rating: 2 out of 10

Words cannot describe just how shockingly bad this movie is. Miss-cast, disgraceful sets and costumes, and a twelve year old's comprehension are just some of the contributing factors to this benchmark of cinematic awfulness. Helen was a face that was supposed to have launched a thousand ships, so why, oh why did they cast the wooden Diane Kruger? Couldn't they have got an Angelina and at least have this part of the film convincing? Even more jaw dropping is Orlando Bloom - the world's worst actor - attempting to take on the role of Paris, with a little boy lost expression, that suggests `I am barely out of puberty never mind capable of pinching another guy's bird'. But hands down the most laughable performance has to be Brad Pitt's so-called swift footed Achilles. I don't think Pitt understood half the things he said, why he said them, or in fact how he found himself on the film set at all. A mystic perma tan, baby oiled limbs, peroxide locks and a mini skirt, reduce the legendary Achilles to a second rate WWF wrestler or a tacky Chippendale stripper. One gets the impression Pitt studied his character by holding his copy of Homer in one hand, and pumping iron with the other. I wish Hollywood would leave the ancient world alone if it insists on portraying it in such a mindless and unsympathetic manner. Note to Wolfgang Peterson - read Homer's `Illiad' and perhaps Euripides' `Helen', maybe even seek out Margaret Atwood's `Penelopiad' with its ironic take on Helen as a harlot queen who didn't innocently flutter her eyelids at Paris and end up snatched from her husband and homeland, but went quite willingly. As Atwood's re-visioning of an ancient story suggests you can look retrospectively with irony and cynicism and a movie version could have taken this into consideration by understanding that ancient Greece produced many and varied interpretations of the Helen story, not merely the formulaic, face-value concept demonstrated in `Troy'. That being said if Homer's `Illiad' was the inspiration behind Peterson's film, then I think he would be turning in his grave ...

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Sean Bean
Brendan Gleeson
Brian Cox
Brad Pitt
Orlando Bloom

Creators:
Brad Pitt (Primary Contributor)
Orlando Bloom (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900284097
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2005-08-01
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 156 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Hebrew (Subtitled)
Language: Icelandic (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: German (Dubbed)

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