Actor(s): Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, Adoni Maropis, Jacob Smith
Director(s): Wolfgang Petersen
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Binding: DVD
Brand: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Language(s): English, Spanish, French
EAN: 9780790782997
ISBN: 0790782995
Studio: Warner Home Video
Movie Description
There are many reasons to recommend Troy as a good ol' fashioned Hollywood epic, especially if you've never read Homer's The Iliad. Dispensing with Greek gods altogether, this earnestly massive production (budgeted at upwards of $200 million) will surely offend historians and devoted students of the classics (for them, there's the History Channel's Troy). But there's politics aplenty in the grand-scale war that erupts when Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) makes off with Helen (blandly beautiful German model Diane Kruger), wife of Spartan ruler Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), whose brother, the Greek king Agamemnon (Brian Cox) prods him into enraged retaliation. Greek warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt) brings lethal force to his battles (and there are many of them, mostly impressive), and his Trojan counterpart, Paris's brother Hector (Eric Bana), adds even more buffed-up beefcake to a film so chock-full o' hunks that there's barely room for Peter O'Toole (doing fine work as Trojan king Priam) and even less for Julie Christie, appearing ever-so-briefly as Achilles's melancholy mother. The drama is nearly as arid as the sun-baked locations (Mexico and Malta) that stand in for the Aegean coast, and many critics suggested that Pitt (who valiantly tries to give Achilles some tormented dimension) was simply miscast. But when you consider that Wolfgang Petersen also made The Perfect Storm, there's nothing wrong with enjoying Troy as a semi-guilty pleasure with a touch of ancient class. --Jeff Shannon
Brad Pitt picks up a sword and brings a muscular, brooding presence to the role of Greek warrior Achilles in this spectacular retelling of The Iliad. Orlando Bloom and Diane Kruger play the legendary lovers who plunge the world into war, Eric Bana portrays the prince who dares to confront Achilles, and Peter O'Toole rules Troy as King Priam. Director Wolfgang Petersen recreates a long-ago world of bireme warships, clashing armies, the massive fortress city and the towering Trojan Horse.
DVD Features: Featurette Photo gallery Theatrical Trailer
"Surely not the best Director's Cut film out there in any genre!"
Written By: Four Gee Sixty Three
If you're reading this review, you probably already know what Troy is all about. If not, a brief sum up is that this film is a modern retelling of Homer's classic epic poem, The Illiad, which to most people, needs no introduction. Of course, this is a very stylized, action-oriented take on the story, leaving out much of the original works's depth. This review is for the Extended, uncut, edition Blu Ray disc release which I just bought and viewed. First off, the film's high definition transfer is excellent, the film is visually stunning, especially on newer LED LCD HDTV's in 1080p resolution. This version's extended scenes, unfortunately, were not very good, and did not add anything special to the film's original theatrical release. Of course, this is my opinion, as others may find the extra dialogue better in some way, although I did not. Of course, one of the more noticeable extended scenes was the inclusion of Diane Kruger's nude scene. Most of the scenes, you realize, were cut out in the editing room for a reason, because they slow the pace of the film considerably. Troy is no exception. However, as a fan of this film, its directors and its well casted actors, I give this film and its Director's Cut BR disc version 3 out 5 stars, mainly because of the stunning fight sequences.
"Questionable casting choices in an otherwise great-looking film"
Written By: Eric S. Kim
You know, it's obvious that Troy is not entirely faithful to Homer's The Iliad. But that's not what's bad about the movie (I mean, come on. It's a fact that not every movie is true to the books they're based on). No, the biggest flaws in the movie are the casting choices. The supporting cast is really good, and Peter O'Toole is typically brilliant. However, the five major leads of the film (Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Rose Byrne, and Diane Kruger) are badly miscast. None of them fit their parts (even Pitt): they look unconvincing and undistinguished. And Brad Pitt is a pretty cool guy, but seriously, how can ANYONE picture him as Achilles? Good news, however. The look of the film is a treat. The sets look marvelous, the battle scenes are well-staged, and the CGI effects actually look realistic.
I'm kind of mixed about this film. I dislike the main performances and the music. But at the same time, I like everything else in the film. I'll give this a C+, because I don't exactly dislike the entire film. I just wish they chose some better actors for the main characters.
Grade: C+
"Very Good"
Written By: Anjelica M. Darby
This movie was a brilliantly directed. Something I hate with Greek Mythology transformed from paper to on - screen is the horrible acting and false reperesentation/translation. There was none of that in TROY!! Brad Pitt (not my favorite) did a good job portraying the tyrant warrior ACHILLES. Eric Bana(one of my favorites) portrayed the heart of gold prince of Troy, HECTOR, just as beautifully. This movie has everything in it action, romance, tension, and suspense. If you love mythology or find it interesting and care for the DRAMATIC GENRE, THIS MOVIE IS FOR YOU!!
""honor the gods, love your woman" Please Stop!!"
Written By: Shrugged
They spent a ton of money. They hired good actors. The high def version looks sharp. That's all the praise I can muster for this abysmal film. I ignored the gaping historical inaccuracies and tried to enjoy this movie as pure fantasy/adventure. No go. The talent was wasted on awful writing and poor directing. There are so many cliched, hackneyed, corny, forced, painfully embarrassing squirm inducing lines that it eventually becomes comical. It's hard to believe that the same man directed Das Boot.
"More is not always better."
Written By: Chris Baños
Perhaps the good deal about this Director's Cut are the prolonged action sequences and the more colorful image, but when it turns to the time given to expand the characters development, the film feels way too slow and long at times. I also didn't like the inclusion of borrowed themes from other movie scores (such as Planet of the Apes) to replace James Horner's at many times of this new version. If any new music was to be included, they should have used the amazing trailer themes which were completely ignored in the theatrical score; this was a perfect opportunity to put them into the film. It still feels like a movie that tries too hard to be epic and serious in so many levels, and somehow fails. In the end it's enjoyable, but its extended running time isn't justified by what is added, yet if what you're looking for is a gorier version of "Troy", then you'll be pleased.
"Surely not the best Director's Cut film out there in any genre!"
"Very Good"
""honor the gods, love your woman" Please Stop!!"
