Anyone have a Troy review?

[Taur]

Think about going to the movies with Mom and Pop tomorrow. I am over 30 and the folks are over 50, so I am looking for a good adult movie to see this weekend that we will all like.

I would like to go see Van Helsing, but I don't think I could drag them to that movie.

What is the latest on TROY

[SackAttack]

I've heard the plot is the movie's Achilles heel.

*flees*

[FBPro]

Just went tonight, it's almost 3 hours long and a decent flick. Not great but pretty good IMO.

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by Taur

Think about going to the movies with Mom and Pop tomorrow so I am looking for a good adult movie to see this weekend that we will all like.

Man, you must have a real liberal family.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Taur

Think about going to the movies with Mom and Pop tomorrow. I am over 30 and the folks are over 50, so I am looking for a good adult movie to see this weekend that we will all like.

I would like to go see Van Helsing, but I don't think I could drag them to that movie.

What is the latest on TROY

I saw Van Helsing last week with a friend who REALLY was looking forward to it - and we both hated it. I've heard that from almost everyone that I've talked to that saw it. I hated it too, but I didn't really want to see it, so I'm not sure how much my opinion helps.

It drags on, the plot - wait, what plot? It was just a mish-mash of stuff and reminded me of flops I've made in Hollywood Mogul, where I spent $20 million on special effects, put in some swearing, a few love scenes and try to attract everyone. I think they failed here, IMHO.

[Sharpieman]

I think Hollywood needs to tone down on the pseudo-historical epics for awhile, they're only good like once a year.

[hukarez]

My buddy saw Troy last night, and said it was a decent flick. The two things that stood out in my mind, that he had told me were:

- Fight scenes were pretty good.
- Brad Pitt's lines were hilarious.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by hukarez

Brad Pitt's lines were hilarious.

Intentionally?

CR

[ice4277]

I saw Troy on Friday, thought it was pretty good. If you like movies out of the Gladiator/Braveheart/Saving Private Ryan mold, you will probably like this one. Nothing really groundbreaking but a solid flick that I definitely wouldn't mind seeing again.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I saw Van Helsing last week with a friend who REALLY was looking forward to it - and we both hated it. I've heard that from almost everyone that I've talked to that saw it. I hated it too, but I didn't really want to see it, so I'm not sure how much my opinion helps.

It drags on, the plot - wait, what plot? It was just a mish-mash of stuff and reminded me of flops I've made in Hollywood Mogul, where I spent $20 million on special effects, put in some swearing, a few love scenes and try to attract everyone. I think they failed here, IMHO.

Van Helsing was awful. It has horrible, this movie.

[hukarez]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Intentionally?

CR

I believe so, yes. I haven't seen it myself - but if there was one 'lasting' impression, he insists it were the lines that he said on the screen that were classic.

EDIT:

He had described a scene in particular to me, about Brad Pitt's character going up to fight against the former WWE wrestler Nathan Jones, and that one thing that happened was some other character asking if he was scared or the like.

In any case, I think the response was something akin to, "That is why you'll never be mentioned in the annals of history." or what not. There was another scene - he was offering up a few examples while we were cruising on up to Los Angeles for a collectible show.

My buddy's rather eclectic when it comes to movies - he mostly collects indy flicks, but apparently the fight scenes in this movie were convincing enough for him.

[ISiddiqui]

Unfortunately I've heard they cut out the Gods .

[Lucky Jim]

I didn't think Troy was very good, but I had some big expectations. Like others have said, it was a decent movie to go kill a few hours but mentioning it in the Gladiator and Braveheart class is kind of ridiculous. Worth a see, but you'll be disappointed if you're really expecting a great film.

[MikeVic]

I saw it last night, and thought it was good. As was mentioned, Brad Pitt has some funny lines. He really comes off as an arogant bastard in a lot of scenes.

The fights were cool, and there were a couple of things had me saying: "Wow, I never would've thought of that!"

I'd recommend seeing it.

[PraetorianX]

Originally Posted by hukarez

I believe so, yes. I haven't seen it myself - but if there was one 'lasting' impression, he insists it were the lines that he said on the screen that were classic.

EDIT:

He had described a scene in particular to me, about Brad Pitt's character going up to fight against the former WWE wrestler Nathan Jones, and that one thing that happened was some other character asking if he was scared or the like.

In any case, I think the response was something akin to, "That is why you'll never be mentioned in the annals of history." or what not. There was another scene - he was offering up a few examples while we were cruising on up to Los Angeles for a collectible show.

My buddy's rather eclectic when it comes to movies - he mostly collects indy flicks, but apparently the fight scenes in this movie were convincing enough for him.

The scene is where this boy comes to get him for a fight...as he's getting on his horse they boy asks "Are the storys true...they say that your are immortal." (something like that...I know I'm missing a bit about his mother having something to do with his immortality that the boy said...ah well) to which he replys "Then I wouldn't be bothing whith the shild then would I?"...then the boys asks if he is afraid and says that the guy he's going to fight is the biggest man he's ever seen and that he'd be afraid to fight him...to which he gives the "That is why you'll never be mentioned in the annals of history." line (or something like that)

Anyway, the movie is quite good imho. I'm surprised, Brad Pitt was a far better Achilles then I would have thought. The rest of the cast did well also. They do leave out the mythology of the Illiad, but I consider that a good thing. The love story happily takes a backseat to the war (as it does in Homer's version).

Lastly, I could do with seeing less men in skirts though...

[Darkiller]

Saw the movie friday night: lovev it !

[tucker342]

I haven't seen it yet, but I'm seeing it tomorrow. Did they really completely cut out the gods?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by tucker342

I haven't seen it yet, but I'm seeing it tomorrow. Did they really completely cut out the gods?

Yes.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by ice4277

I saw Troy on Friday, thought it was pretty good. If you like movies out of the Gladiator/Braveheart/Saving Private Ryan mold, you will probably like this one. Nothing really groundbreaking but a solid flick that I definitely wouldn't mind seeing again.

I never thought I would see Saving Private Ryan mentioned in a same group as Gladiator/Braveheart.

[PraetorianX]

Originally Posted by tucker342

I haven't seen it yet, but I'm seeing it tomorrow. Did they really completely cut out the gods?

Depends on what point of view you're looking at it from? The Mythological version portrayed in Homer's Iliad or the historical events as they happened (IF, they happened)...if it's the later...then the movie has no need for the mythology, which I believe is what they're going for. There is no God coming down from the heavens and telling them things. Aswell, Achilles quite literally does cut the gods out of the movie himself, or at least his head...heh.

However, true to the times, they do speak about the Gods and such...how this or that is the will of the Gods. But this movie focuses on the mortals.

"The Gods envy us...because we are mortal." - Achilles

[Anthony]

get it right. the line Achilles says is "that's why no one will remember your name".

no need for gods and such, the name of the movie is "Troy", not "The Illiad".

Brad's line weren't hilarious in the "bad acting so horrible it's laughable" sense. no one laughed at all in the theater i was in. if anything it was amusing to see how arrogant Achiles was. he really transformed himself, especially for the physical aspect. his fight choreographers really did a great job in giving him these moves that were both technical and oozed of superiority and confidence. he didn't fight like everyone else. there truly was something special about his character, as well there should be, we're talking about the greatest warrior ever.

good movie. i love epic, grandiose battle scenes. shoulda gave us some naked shots of Diane Kruger, the girl who played Helen.

[Vince]

Ok, spoilers abound...but here goes.

I

n

t

e

n

t

i

o

n

a

l



S

p

a

c

i

n

g



Positives -
Brad Pitt does a pretty good job as Achilles...believable, arrogant, etc.

Eric Bana looks the part of Hektor...I really like how he was cast.

Orlando Bloom plays Paris PERFECTLY. He is very believable at being a little bitch.

Battle scenes are pretty good. They look believable, and with the huge groups, they very much convey the chaotic nature of ancient battle.

Negatives -
Diane Kruger as Helen. I'm sorry, but this is a woman that two nations went to war over...she is reputedly the most beautiful woman in the history of the world. Kruger is pretty, sure...but not in a striking way. They could have found someone better, in my opinion.

Eric Bana as Hektor. Sure, he looks the part...but he doesn't put enough emotion into the role. I was always left wanting more...for example: in the beginning, when Paris reveals to him that he has taken Helen with them on the ship, Hektor is completely pissed...but Bana just seems upset.

The gods are completely cut out. I think they pulled it off well...but as a history major who really enjoyed the Illiad, you lose so much of the story without them there. There are references to them...but seriously, how is Priam going to get through the entire Achaean camp without Hermes' help? Also, Achilles has absolutely NO retribution for desecrating Apollo's temple. That was another huge part of the story that didn't exist. Clean it up.

Patroklus dressing up as Achilles. Hard to say that a movie that is 3 hours long sped through something too quickly...but this was WAY too hurried, in my opinion. There were only veiled hints of it, and the mentions of Patroklus in the story previous set it up like he was going to be a huge part. But they didn't show anything like Patroklus donning Achilles' armor, convincing the Myrmidons to fight, etc. They did a good job of showing the morale boost of 'Achilles' being back on the field for the Achaeans...but again, they rushed the whole scene...and it's quite pivotal in the whole thing.

Hektor's death scene. Achilles is supposed to completely desecrate his body. Sure, he drags him off. But he's supposed to flaunt it in the face of the Trojans...dragging him around a few times, letting the dogs eat at the corpse...this scene lost a lot of it's weight because it was done so quickly.

The whole Briseis/Achilles thing. Totally Hollywood-ized the whole thing (which never existed in the story).

That stupid leaping-stab thing that Achilles keeps doing. That is so retarded. And he did it like 5 or 6 times. Argh.

All that being said...I enjoyed the movie. I had high hopes, and though I was a bit disappointed, I expected that. I give it a solid B, pushing a B+.

[Sharpieman]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I never thought I would see Saving Private Ryan mentioned in a same group as Gladiator/Braveheart.

Thank you. Saving Private Ryan was a very good movie, but not in the same league as Gladiator or Braveheart. If you want to see incredible WWII "movie" rent Band of Brothers. It was an HBO mini series that was just great.

[Vince]

Heh. Sharpieman, was that intentional? I'm fairly certain Buc was aiming for the opposite direction.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I never thought I would see Saving Private Ryan mentioned in a same group as Gladiator/Braveheart.

Actually, I wasn't really trying to compare SVP with Gladiator/Braveheart, but one of the earlier battle scenes in Troy is very reminiscent of SVP, so that is where I drew that from. Other than that, there was very little in common.

I also agree that SVP is a much better movie than Gladiator or Braveheart, however I think those two are good as well.

[Tigercat]

I get as choked up at Saving Private Ryan as the next guy, but the only reason it would be considered a better movie over Braveheart or Gladiator is because of the patriotic strings(and personal strings if you or your family members are WW2 vets) it pulls at. It doesn't go out of its way after the beachhead to be very historically accurate. Its a dramatic story told with the backdrop of WW2. A damn fine movie, but I am not sure its ability to bring out certain emotions should make it that much of a better movie.

Although I liked it far less, and found it a tougher watch, I think a Thin Red Line was a much more potent piece of movie making dealing with WW2. Sure in many ways it went a little overboard in its presentation, but at least it had a very unique way of looking at war.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I never thought I would see Saving Private Ryan mentioned in a same group as Gladiator/Braveheart.

Yeah Gladiator and Braveheart were watchable.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I never thought I would see Saving Private Ryan mentioned in a same group as Gladiator/Braveheart.

word.

[wig]

Originally Posted by Tigercat

I think a Thin Red Line was a much more potent piece of movie making dealing with WW2. Sure in many ways it went a little overboard in its presentation, but at least it had a very unique way of looking at war.

"The Thin Red Line" was quite possibly the worst movie ever made.

I'm not exaggerating either.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Tigercat

I get as choked up at Saving Private Ryan as the next guy, but the only reason it would be considered a better movie over Braveheart or Gladiator is because of the patriotic strings(and personal strings if you or your family members are WW2 vets) it pulls at. It doesn't go out of its way after the beachhead to be very historically accurate. Its a dramatic story told with the backdrop of WW2. A damn fine movie, but I am not sure its ability to bring out certain emotions should make it that much of a better movie.

Although I liked it far less, and found it a tougher watch, I think a Thin Red Line was a much more potent piece of movie making dealing with WW2. Sure in many ways it went a little overboard in its presentation, but at least it had a very unique way of looking at war.

I took some many completely different things from these three movies that it would be hard for me to compare them to each other. I liked different things about each of them.

[corbes]

Originally Posted by Vince

Negatives -
Diane Kruger as Helen. I'm sorry, but this is a woman that two nations went to war over...she is reputedly the most beautiful woman in the history of the world. Kruger is pretty, sure...but not in a striking way. They could have found someone better, in my opinion.

My question: Helen represents the ideal of the most beautiful woman in the world. How could you actually cast this character, and then portray her onscreen, in a way that would succeed?

It seems, to me, like the only real answer is to never show her onscreen (or at least, never show her face onscreen). Could that have been done in the movie?

[Vince]

Good point corbes...not sure it could have been done to my satisfaction, though I do think they could have done a better job. Never showing her onscreen...I don't think they could have pulled it off.

[Anthony]

Diane Kruger is awesome. had i been alone in the movie theater i woulda pulled a Pee Wee Herman.

i liked the movie a lot, it was everything i thought it would be. it's a summer blockbuster movie, you can't expect a work of Shakespearian art. over the top is the norm in these things.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

Diane Kruger is awesome. had i been alone in the movie theater i woulda pulled a Pee Wee Herman.

Reason #12,039 why we need to have the QOTM back...

[sachmo71]

I think they should have cast Helen Hunt as Helen. They have the same name.

[Blade6119]

Shes nasty...i still vote for the most beautiful woman in the world....Denise Richards

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Blade6119

Shes nasty...i still vote for the most beautiful woman in the world....Denise Richards

Pot to kettle. Pot to kettle. It's dark in here. Over.

[Blade6119]

Regardless of how nasty Helen Hunt is , i thought the movie was really good. Brad Pitt suprised me on how well he played the role. I thought Eric Bana stole to scenes he was in, and i was suprised how different he was from in the hulk(which i couldnt stand). Solid flick.

[sachmo71]

Helen Hunt is nasty. Two posters agree.

[Blade6119]

thats all it takes...now she will be blacklisted in Hollywood and never act again(with any luck)

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Blade6119

Shes nasty...i still vote for the most beautiful woman in the world....Denise Richards

I don't know if she'd really fit the Greek archetype of beauty.

PS - Did I use archetype correctly? It seems to fit, but I don't know if I know what it means.

[Blade6119]

She wouldnt, but im just in love with her...i was suprised they used a blonde, since i figured the breseis girl look much more greek then Helen...I figured they would get some greek supermodel or something, but maybe its just me

[Taur]

Wasn't this story a made for TV movie last year? I am thinking USA???

Anyone seen them both and how do they size up to eachother. I am a little surprised no one has mentioned the made for TV free movie.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Taur

Wasn't this story a made for TV movie last year? I am thinking USA???

Anyone seen them both and how do they size up to eachother. I am a little surprised no one has mentioned the made for TV free movie.

I saw the USA movie, and it has been on my mind a lot as I was considering whether I will like this.

I'm going to see Troy today, and I'll give my thoughts on a comparison of the two when I come back.

CR

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by Taur

Wasn't this story a made for TV movie last year? I am thinking USA???

Anyone seen them both and how do they size up to eachother. I am a little surprised no one has mentioned the made for TV free movie.

Last year? I thought Clash of the Titans came out in the 80's...

[Leonidas]

All the reviews and testimonials I read failed to mention Odysseus at all. Is he not in the movie? I mean, he was the character that thought of the Trojan Horse and won the war. Stands to reason his character would feature at least somewhat prominently.

[Vince]

Odysseus had a relatively small role...as in the Illiad, he was constantly the only person who could talk to Achilles. Other than that...he wasn't much of a player. I wish he could have had a larger role, but they were focusing on Achilles, Hektor, etc.

[Taur]

Well, my plans have been changed and we have postponed our outing untill next weekend. That will throw "The Day after Tomorrow". into the mix. Hopefully someone will start a thread about that movie next week.

Sounds like Troy is a pass.

[Blade6119]

Originally Posted by Taur

Wasn't this story a made for TV movie last year? I am thinking USA???

Anyone seen them both and how do they size up to eachother. I am a little surprised no one has mentioned the made for TV free movie.

I thought the movie was superior in both action and story...flat out since i saw both and am a huge greek mythology fan, the movie is ten times better