Troy
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I am a Greek woman, and I don't beleive Helen of Troy was a blonde!! Typical Hollywood!! I must add that Eric Bana from Australia like myself is a brilliant actor, maybe I am biast here. Maybe they had poroxide in Greece back then?? Don't think so!!! ha ha
>>By ladyhawk (Wednesday, 19 May 2004 07:53)
Well... The movie is quite cool, but is necessary to forget all knowledge of greek myths before watching the movie or you get quite dissapointed.
>>By Meliadus (Wednesday, 19 May 2004 14:43)
great movie
>>By Vavin (Saturday, 22 May 2004 04:15)
Yeah I was disappointed I didn't get to see some Greek God stuff in action (e.g. Zeus throwing down a thunderbolt).
The acting was a bit shabby for my liking. No standouts (except Peter O'Toole was pretty good in his limited role). And also too many close ups and camera going crazy so you couldn't see what was going on in the mass battles (I wish filmmakers would stop using that "shake the camera" technique"). Also after watching too many Kubrick movies, all the scenes cutting back and forth was a bit annoying. But I guess necessary.
The start of the movie could have been narrated instead of making us read it (like LOTR).
OK apart from the above bitchings, the action was good overall. I like the use of javelins and shield blocks. Reminds me of Diablo II (The Amazon [ e.g. how Achilles throws his jav], The Paladin [anyone with a sword and shield], The Barbarian [Ajax?]; no sorceress or necromancer tho)
>>By ftad (Saturday, 22 May 2004 17:22)
I really enjoyed it. Peter O'Toole was amazingly great in his role. And I think they went with a blonde Helen of Troy because thats how she's almost always protrayed in the movies. I could be wrong but to the best of my knowledge that's how it is. I think they do it to make her stand out from the other females because she's posed to be this amazing beauty. I think the movie followed through with the myth but again i could be wrong its been awhile since i read it.
I liked the way the movie was shot it was really good. i happen to like that bouncy camera movement i think its more entertaining than a steady camera shot. yet sometimes it can get very annoying.
>>By mia (Sunday, 23 May 2004 03:20)
This movie was amazing. I've seen it twice in theatres already because it's soo good. I think the casting was awesome, and it gives you an idea of what it was like back then. Achilles is awesome
>>By Jane (Sunday, 23 May 2004 17:02)
I saw the movie yesterday.I really liked it.I thought Eric Bana did the best job of acting and Peter O'Toole of course!I have to vote no on the shacky camera too.
>>By sukili (Sunday, 23 May 2004 18:56)
I just saw the movie like a half hour ago and I think overrall it was a good movie but they changed a lot of stuff around I mean from the book. Also they should stop using actors like Brad Pitt in these types of films I mean I could'nt really pictue him being a warrior, you know? He's more of a flashy smiley guy.....? I don't know how to explain I'll shutup now.
>>By nOel_x3 (Monday, 24 May 2004 01:15)
I think it's great! All I've read and seen about the ancient Greece were mostly myths and here I could see something more or less real. Of course it would be fifficult to show what was in reality THEN. But I think they did their best and I LIKED IT!!! And I liked what they sad about the war! They showed that all the wars are awfull! We must live for love not war!!! That's the idea and I love it!!! And it really doesn't matter if Helen is blond or what! The war it a terrible action and that's all!!!
>>By Luta (Monday, 24 May 2004 11:29)
Re. the blonde Helen. I had a greek friend who was blonde and they told me that originally most greeks had light-coloured hair. I don't know the reason why this changed and I'm not going into "True Romance" territory here, but it is quite possible that Helen was blonde.
>>By soup (Monday, 24 May 2004 16:02)
I agree with Noel_x3 about Brad Pitt. I mean the man seems to be saying "Hey I'm good, look at me!" all the time. Besides the way they portrait the romance between Achiles and Brisis it is very hollywood kind of because, how could a narcisistic man like Achiles be so concerned about the girl's safety? That would not happen. I spent most of the movie laughing because of Paris ridiculous attitudes... I mean the man is a joke "Oh Hector, Hector please save me from that guy; he's mean!". Paris seemed to be only able to do one thing right: to sleep with Helen. As for Helen of Troy... Well the girl looked a complete whore! Paris says "Do you want me to leave?" and she imediatly undresses herself???? I also thought they should have given more importance to the gods (if one does not know that Achiles' mother is a godess the movie does not explain it either). Of course one has to congratulate Peter O'Toole and Eric Bana for their performance.
>>By moonflower (Tuesday, 25 May 2004 16:46)
One other thing that irked me was that they kept referring to themselves as if they knew they were going to be written in folklore. Unrealistic.
e.g. the scene where I think Achilles' cousin says that he would not want to fight, Achilles says: "that is why noone will remember your name"
There were a few more times they were too self conscious of their own legendary status too.
>>By ftad (Tuesday, 25 May 2004 17:34)
I agree about the brad pitt thing but i still think he did a good job of acting, so did eric bana and peter o'toole. I love this movie so much..something about it i dunno what tho. How much did it cost to make this movie? think of all of the extras and props and stuff...but hey brad pitt needed a starring role..his latest one other than achilles was in oceans 11. I thought it was so sad when Patroclus ( Achilles cousin ) died...i thought it was a great movie!
>>By Jane (Wednesday, 26 May 2004 03:35)
oceans 11 was 3 years ago....he's been outta the movies since then and it was one great (small) comeback to the movies (and lets not forget oceans 12)
>>By mia (Wednesday, 26 May 2004 16:51)
Yeah..i hope its good
>>By Jane (Thursday, 27 May 2004 02:59)
the movie was a let down. and if u listen to the music score, the theme of the music is TOO similar to that of enemy at the gates. brad pitt is overrated. and i think the real star of this movie is eric bana. i think, jane, what u couldnt put ur finger on with whats wrong abt the movie was the music score. it didnt carry the mood of the movie well enough. think abt it.
>>By eatengold (Tuesday, 8 Jun 2004 10:18)
btw, did anyone catch the part where eric bana's skirt flipped up during the fight scene????
>>By eatengold (Tuesday, 8 Jun 2004 10:19)
hey,see first the bulgarian historical epic movies and then talk about this film!
>>By _sleepwalker (Thursday, 10 Jun 2004 15:16)
I agree that Eric Bana did a great job in it...and i dunno i didnt find anything wrong with the music. But i still really like the story and everything as well
>>By Jane (Saturday, 12 Jun 2004 22:54)
I wasn't too happy with the music either. Nothing against a melody to reflect the action, but I missed traditional mediterranian instruments to at least create an atmosphere of culture. You could have played out the cultural difference between Troy and the Greeks by use of specific sounds and instruments, too. Now I heard Hollywood action music. I wasn't 'there', so to speak. Annoying.
It has been a long time since I covered a few parts of the Illiad and the Oddysee in high school, and I really can't vouch for scenario accuracy here. One thing distubed me, though. Honour was a big issue for the Troyans as well, and Hector certainly was not this sentimental modern-type daddy he is shown to be. Also he does not show his wife a way out of Troy, he tells her that if he is killed and the city falls she will become a slave to some Greek soldier and her son will be killed. He advises her to settle for that fate. Slight difference ...
I read an interview with the director. About the absence of God figures he said he was very happy with this film's solution. The Gods' presence is felt, but they are not shown and a modern audience can blame the faults on the individual's mistakes as well (which is also a kind of fate). Showing a God throwing a thunderbolt is simply too outrageous and would only look comical, not dramatic.
Concerning the actors he explained he consciously used type-casting.
Therefore the semi-god Achilles had to be played by someone who has that same stature in real life.
He also said Brad Pitt was not afraid to face the dark side of himself that Achilles so obviously showed. I read the comments before I saw the film and perhaps I'm biased, but I agree. I like Pitt better in this film than in any other, although his face brings back memories of the cute boy once in a while. But you have to put that aside, and his acting is very helpful there. He put down a good performance. He can't help it he has a pretty face :-)
Paris, the young womanizer every girl dreams about, is another nice example. What else has Orlando Bloom been since LOTR?
You can continue like this: the old traditions of the kingdom represented by one of the last icons of British theatre, etc.
About Helen: he wanted an unknown actress because that would help create the feeling of 'mysterious beauty'. The audience would have to meet someone they were not prepared for. A familiar face would not allow for that experience, you would immediately think: Oh, there's so and so again. No reasons for the blond hair, I think they just looked for a woman who fit their emotional picture best.
>>By Aywin (Sunday, 13 Jun 2004 18:54)
i was a bit dissapointed with the actress who played Helen sooooo not cool taking a blonde head when she supposed to have is it raven black hair?
the movie was good i must agree but they did change alot of it but i guess that's typical in movie making
>>By angel_s (Wednesday, 16 Jun 2004 13:41)
I went to see this movie cause I was with a friend, we were tired, it was what was playing next. I was surprised at how much I did enjoy the entire movie. The best part was seeing Brad Pit naked among two women. Other than that, I was fine either way. Don't care much for all the blood and guts that comes with it. I don't understand that all the fuss was over The Passion of Christ when I have seen two other movies more graphic and bloody than it was.
>>By freewoman (Thursday, 17 Jun 2004 15:12)
damn i loved that movie, I hope they do another kick ass movie that that. anywho yeah it was good
>>By VampGirl (Friday, 18 Jun 2004 03:32)
i dont like how the whole thing was just a gaint piece of hollywood fiction that had the historical accuracy of a childs memory. They got some popular acters an action plot some gore and poof! monies!
gag
>>By Billy Pilgrim (Friday, 18 Jun 2004 07:29)
hey Aywin, I agree what alot of what you said up there, very well put. So did you like the movie or not? whats your overall say?
>>By Jane (Saturday, 19 Jun 2004 16:50)
Must say..even though the movie itself wasn´t the greatest Orlando Bloom and Brand totally knocked me out..whoo Brad has a fine butt!!! and Orli, what can I say? He is gods gift to women *sigh* (I know that it´s unecessary knowing but that´s the reason why I saw it) ^_~
>>By Starchild (Sunday, 27 Jun 2004 04:41)
I have to say, that after having spent a good 8 months studying epics such as The Iliad and Aenied; I was rather disappointed with the reflections - or lack of accurate textual associations with the original classic, in the film. It did merely seem like a Hollywood big-money-grabber of a film, not a screen version of the poem, but a story-line theft! The long poses with hair blowing against the wind and as ftad said, their assurance of their names going down in history, emphasised for me how overrated names are: Brad Pitt is not an actor for this type of film, and Orlando Bloom really is there for the female audience.
Especially after having seen the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings, a certain standard was set. While im sure some people in a studio had hours of fun computerising the Greek invasion of the Trojan shores and battle in front of Troy's walls, it was nothing new. Some vague attempts were made to create an atmosphere of some type of culture on both sides, but the efforts were mainly controlled by the same tone of music: some woman yawning out "ahaaa aha". Didn't they have that in Gladiator?? Anyway, unimpressive.
It just seemed too fragmented and inconsistant as a film, probably a good watch if you are an average cinema go-er, but im biased. I feel let down lol, im going to stop now, im getting angry.
>>By mathu (Saturday, 24 Jul 2004 23:40)
I went and saw it again..for the 4th time last night..i love it~
>>By Jane (Tuesday, 27 Jul 2004 05:17)
I thought the movie was excellent especially the fact that Achilles is a pimp although unnecessary still good to see the fight scenes were well done although bouncy they gave you a good idea of what battle was like back then. As far as Helen goes blonde or black hair regardless she is a hottie and has (if real)some of the most beautiful and most attention grabbing eyes I've ever seen.
>>By C-mac (Thursday, 29 Jul 2004 10:07)
Saw Troy yesterday afternoon. Along with the movie being approx. 2.5 hours long, I kept getting mixed up as to who was who's enemy in the show. The panoramic scences were very good. The theatre must have had the volume up alittle too loud. Too much booming music.
>>By oldteenager (Sunday, 1 Aug 2004 13:34)
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