Troy...

[hafital]

So, this movie, imo, wasn't really great. It wasn't terrible, but there was something missing for me. Generally, I found the dialogue to be OTT and 70% of the acting, also. There was a lot of telling going and very little showing, and judging by the outright laughter of the audience during most of the movie, everyone else thought so to. The film was very grand and very big, but something in its execution failed, imo. Too bad, although I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised.

Not to harp on a dead horse, but Orlando Bloom? Still not doing it for me. In fact, I liked him better in Pirates, but that could just be because Paris is such a dodo. I keep waiting for him to grow into his reputation, and so far it hasn't happened.

And I'm not going to go into all the inaccuracies in dress and scenery and property, because what would be the point? Although I *have* to say Agamemnon's hair (and everyone's hair, really) drove me CRAZY.

But there were several things I did like. I liked Brad Pitt, who always manages to win me over, and it's not just because he's pretty (although, that helps). Imo, he's a pretty good actor and I believe him when I watch him, which is key. I'm not an Achilles girl. I'm much more a Hector girl (*love* Hector), and I think Achilles is a big pouty mama's boy, but BP gave him a touch more depth and sincerity than I normally see, in either the Iliad or in other realized productions. The only part of the movie that really got me was the moment when Achilles cries over Hector's body. Doomed before they even knew it.

I liked the choices they made in terms of what parts of the story to tell. I'm glad they left out the gods, 'cause I find them tiresome.

I thought they used the Briseis character well. And, you know, the whole "captive slave at first fights back but then is seduced by the brutal but ultimately kind and gorgeous captor" -- um, that totally worked for me. (*pets Desert Prince*)

I though it was an interesting choice killing off Menelaus and Agamemnon like they did. It makes sense with their version, since they lacked the gods to pluck Paris from the fight and send him home. The whole time I was watching that scene I was totally wondering how they were going to do that. I didn't think they would kill Menelaus, but they did! And Agamemnon's death was pretty cool. Go Briseis! Although, the theatre nerd in me cried for the lost Orestia. LOL.

I could have done without them making Patroclus so much younger. I wanted the friends since birth thing. The shield brother thing. But what they did with the relationship was nice, I guess, and the young actor could have been worse. Actually, I did like him, but I thought he was a bit useless, which is a shame.

Hector! I love Hector. Eric Bana did a great job with somewhat sketchy dialogue. Hector continues to be the only character of the Iliad that I think has any real decency. *g* Achilles and Briseis won me over, but Hector holds my heart.

And last but not least, I thought Sean Bean as Odysseus was just great. :)

Comments

[hafital.livejournal.com]

See, what actually worked so wonderfully to me is that we don't have much to go on regarding this time period and this war. I viewed the whole thing as if it were sort of the real story upon which the legend was based, not as a theatrical drama. Things that were different from the poem didn't trouble me at all...

Oh, see, I liked all that. I had no problem with them changing the poem. Generally, I liked all the changes they made to the story. :) The biggest part that didn't work was the Paris and Helen storyline. I mean, I felt nada regarding these two. I was more attached to the Paris and Hellen of he TV movie Helen of Troy that was on last year (which wasn't half bad, very different, though, and they short-changed Achilles big time. That version totally made me like Paris, which is some feat. *g*). But all the rest, the changes, making Briseis a larger part, and the tunnel buisness -- all of that was good. I loved Agamemnon's death. I guess, for whatever reason, I couldn't get past the hokey bits. They just kept throwing me out of the story.

I totally loved Gladiator... I guess we had to differ in opinion eventually. LOL *mwah*

Btw, did you ever read Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley? I can't remember if I asked you this before.

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

I missed the TV Helen of Troy cause it was on when we were moving, I think. I did like Paris and Helen in this one quite a bit. I mean, they were not necessarily noble characters, but I felt for them and I have to say I thought the actress playing Helen was lovely. Now, the actress playing Andromache annoyed the crap out of me. But yes, I can see where not sympathizing with Paris or Helen could kinda drag you down. *g*

I think I'm just out of step with the world when it comes to these big blockbuster things. A big part of my dislike of Gladiator was the excruciating migraine I got from the extremes of lighting in the film and the camera work (I almost couldn't walk out of the theater) and from Joachim Phoenix, but I think the migraine was really the source of my hatred. *g* I've tried to watch it at home since, but it had the same effect. I just can't take that blue cast in contrast to the white glare. Doesn't really say much about the story, but if I ever see Ridley Scott on the street, I may stab a big stick through his eye just for the hell of it.

I couldn't help thinking that Troy is what we got instead of Endurance, so I'm glad that at least I enjoyed it. (Maybe if Joachim Phoenix had been as stunning as Brad Pitt, I would have been more forgiving of his accent. :-D)

No, have not read Firebrand. Should I? :-)