Sure, it’s the Cliff’s Notes take on a classic, with movie stars and big battles. But didn’t most of us read the Cliff’s Notes anyway?
Troy (2004)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:213
Fresh:117
Rotten:96
Average Rating:6/10
Consensus: A brawny, entertaining spectacle, but lacking emotional resonance.
Runtime: 3 hrs 16 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: Throughout time, men have waged war. Some for power, some for glory, some for honor - and some for love. In ancient Greece, the passion of two of literature's most notorious lovers, Paris,... Throughout time, men have waged war. Some for power, some for glory, some for honor - and some for love. In ancient Greece, the passion of two of literature's most notorious lovers, Paris, Prince of Troy (ORLANDO BLOOM) and Helen (DIANE KRUGER), Queen of Sparta, ignites a war that will devastate a civilization. When Paris spirits Helen away from her husband, King Menelaus (BRENDAN GLEESON), it is an insult that cannot be suffered. Familial pride dictates that an affront to Menelaus is an affront to his brother Agamemnon (BRIAN COX), powerful King of the Mycenaeans, who soon unites all the massive tribes of Greece to steal Helen back from Troy in defense of his brother's honor. In truth, Agamemnon's pursuit of honor is corrupted by his overwhelming greed - he needs to conquer Troy to seize control of the Aegean, thus ensuring the supremacy of his already vast empire. The walled city, under the leadership of King Priam (PETER O'TOOLE) and defended by mighty Prince Hector (ERIC BANA), is a citadel that no army has ever been able to breach. One man alone stands as the key to victory or defeat over Troy - Achilles (BRAD PITT), believed to be the greatest warrior alive. Arrogant, rebellious and seemingly invincible, Achilles has allegiance to nothing and no one, save his own glory. It is his insatiable hunger for eternal renown that leads him to attack the gates of Troy under Agamemnon's banner - but it will be love that ultimately decides his fate. Two worlds will go to war for honor and power. Thousands will fall in pursuit of glory. And for love, a nation will burn to the ground. [More]
Starring: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox
Starring: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, Sean Bean, Brendan Gleeson, Peter O'Toole, Rose Byrne, Saffron Burrows, Diane Kruger
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Screenwriter: David Benioff
Producer: Wolfgang Petersen, Diana Rathbun, Colin Wilson
Composer: James Horner
Studio: Warner Bros.
Reviews for Troy
Troy is one of the most expensive movies ever, and much of that budget went to pay for the scaffolding around Peter O'Toole's head.
So solemn, portentous and impersonal it calls to mind a quote from the other Homer (Simpson): 'Your movie is more boring than church.'
Troy fails to garner any excitement from its massive scale, but Petersen does have an amazing gift for filming one on one action.
Buff, blonde and beautiful, Pitt turns the Trojan War into something like the model contest in Zoolander.
As a war movie, Troy is strangely noncommittal -- the slaughter has a numb, ineffective, over-processed tone to it.
The better elements come together in a way that can hold one's interest, but the only moments that truly stand out amongst the battles and beefcake are Achilles' fight scenes.
History or Mythology teachers looking for a way to get their students into Greek mythology have a new tool to make learning exciting...
this literate, intelligent script rises above the fray of blood and hormones to become a cautionary tale that strikes a chilling contemporary chord.
One of the world's greatest legends has been reborn as one of the year's greatest films; here's why it's true.
The 160 minute running length makes you battle weary, but action fans will glory in the heroics for the sake of conquest and immortality.
Troy, besides being tremendously entertaining, is the best crib-sheet guide to Homer ever.
This is The Iliad as a WWE SmackDown: violent fights, snappy insults and a connoisseur's idolatry of beautiful brawn.
Despite a sensationally attractive cast and an array of well-staged combat scenes presented on a vast scale, Petersen's highly telescoped rendition of the Trojan War lurches ahead in fits and starts for much of its hefty running time, to OK effect.
A protracted and uninvolving affair in which men battle over issues that audiences may struggle to find compelling, and no central figure emerges to take command of the film.
Wolfgang Peterson’s Troy naturally subscribes to a no-shirt rule for ancient Greece’s most prominent heroes.
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