Jefferson Morris
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2000
- Messages
- 826
Also saw this at a sneak last night. My assessment runs about the same as Travers - a diverting action epic, though certainly not a great movie. But you have to expect a certain amount of cheesiness in an all-star sword 'n sandal epic. I will say that the film becomes progressively more involving as it unspools. It's long (2.5 hours, I think), but it didn't feel too long.
One thing I liked about the film was how it demonstrated that the "theft" of Helen was really only a pretext for the war. The film also divides the loyalties of the viewer in an interesting way - you're not necessarily sure which side to root for, as the film explores the motivations of the characters on both sides. There's really only one pretty clear-cut villain in the movie, but I won't spoil that for you.
Props to the lovely Rose Byrne (as Briseis), whom you may remember as Padme's right-hand girl in Attack of the Clones (the one who cries, not the one who dies). I, for one, thought she was cuter than Helen.
Sean Bean does indeed make a good impression as the crafty Odysseus, as does Eric Bana as Hector. Orlando Bloom's Paris is something of a wimp, but not entirely unsympathetic - I'd probably choose life/hot sex with Helen over death and glory as well. And Brad is ... well, Brad.
The film it reminded me of was, of course, Gladiator, and I'd say it compares favorably (then again, I think Gladiator is overrated). But Troy gets additional props in my book for its Pelennor Fields-sized battle scenes. Plus you get to see Orlando pick up a bow and arrow again.
--Jefferson Morris
P.S. James Horner appears to have cribbed his music for...the sacking of Troy
...directly from his Perfect Storm score. There's this repeated four-note motif that appears to have been copied verbatim. Let the Horner-bashing commence.
One thing I liked about the film was how it demonstrated that the "theft" of Helen was really only a pretext for the war. The film also divides the loyalties of the viewer in an interesting way - you're not necessarily sure which side to root for, as the film explores the motivations of the characters on both sides. There's really only one pretty clear-cut villain in the movie, but I won't spoil that for you.
Props to the lovely Rose Byrne (as Briseis), whom you may remember as Padme's right-hand girl in Attack of the Clones (the one who cries, not the one who dies). I, for one, thought she was cuter than Helen.
Sean Bean does indeed make a good impression as the crafty Odysseus, as does Eric Bana as Hector. Orlando Bloom's Paris is something of a wimp, but not entirely unsympathetic - I'd probably choose life/hot sex with Helen over death and glory as well. And Brad is ... well, Brad.
The film it reminded me of was, of course, Gladiator, and I'd say it compares favorably (then again, I think Gladiator is overrated). But Troy gets additional props in my book for its Pelennor Fields-sized battle scenes. Plus you get to see Orlando pick up a bow and arrow again.
--Jefferson Morris
P.S. James Horner appears to have cribbed his music for...the sacking of Troy
...directly from his Perfect Storm score. There's this repeated four-note motif that appears to have been copied verbatim. Let the Horner-bashing commence.
Anytime I turn to XM channel 27:Cinemagic and there's a Horner movie score being played I can tell it within 10 seconds without looking at the display window. He has to be the worse offender of reusing his own material over and over and over and over...
