Troy Film Review
Throughout time, men have waged war, some for power, some for splendor, some for honor and some for love. In ancient Greece, the enthusiasm of two of history’s most famous lovers Paris, Prince of Troy and Helen, Queen of Sparta, sparks a war that will devastate a civilization. When Paris takes Helen far from her spouse, King of Menelaus, it is an insult that can not be suffered. Familial pride dictates that an affront to Menelaus is an affront to his sibling.
Agamemnon, the effective King of the Mycenaean’s, who soon joins all the huge tribes of Greece to take Helen back from Troy in defense of his brother’s honor. This action loaded film is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat up until completion credits roll. Homers stretching tale of love and war in ancient Greece concerns the screen in all its magnificence in this impressive scale adventure. In 1193 B.C., Paris, Prince of Troy (Orlando Blossom), has actually fallen in love; nevertheless, the gorgeous lady who has actually charmed him is Helen, Queen of Sparta (Diane Kruger), who is wed to King Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson).
While Helen is barely immune to Paris’ charms, this doesn’t blunt Menelaus’ fury when Paris steals her far from him. Menelaus’ sibling Agamemnon (Brian Cox), the power-hungry king of the Mycenaean’s, aspires to broaden his empire through Troy to the lands of the Aegean Sea, and he utilizes Paris’ romantic slight versus Menelaus as an excuse to wage a full-blown war against the terrific walled city.
Priam, King of Troy (Peter O’Toole), summons his armies, led by Prince Hector (Eric Bana), to fulfill the assault of Agamemnon’s forces. While the fantastic city has yet to yield in a battle, Agamemnon has a powerful ally Achilles (Brad Pitt), a mighty and seemingly unstoppable warrior whose existence might tip the scales in Agamemnon’s favor.
Peter Rainer of the New York Times states, “The actors are permanently striking classical postures, attempting to memorialize the drama. However you can’t force this kind of thing– either you’re mythic or you’re not.” Rex Reed from the New Yorker states, “Troy” is ultimately the prime example of how such a tremendous idea ripe with possibilities and capacity can be so mishandled in the incorrect hands. While an achievement in visuals, “Tory” stops working in every other element including its writing and storytelling.
Peterson excels at creating a half hour too long epic with just no point in sight. The film has much going for it, but quickly blows it as we drudge on and on for three hours without any real substance nor do we take anything away from this demanding experience. As they say, if a film is great, three hours can fly by, but with a poor film, three hours can drag on, and this did indeed drag on with melodrama, romantic sub-plots and everything that drags this down. I love the legend of Helen of Troy and the face that launched a thousand ships, but this is not what I was hoping for, and it doesn’t pay homage to its true storyteller.”
The element of the essay that I feel impacted me the most was the plot. The plot in my opinion was well written and acted. The Three different fights that took place during the movie: the one for family, the second for revenge, and the third to be known forever. The one for family impacted me because it showed that no matter what family is there for you even no matter how big you screw up. Next for the revenge, to me I felt that waging a war between the Greeks and Trojans was selfish and uncalled for just for one woman and a man’s pride. Lastly wanting to be known forever, This showed honor and devotion to me because his life and to have a family was set aside just so he can be known forever This movie would have been awful without this well written and acted movie.
The quote “You want me to look upon your army and tremble? Well I see them. I see 50,000 men brought here to fight for one man’s greed.” This quote from Prince Hector surely shows the turning point in the movie. After Paris, Prince of Troy steals Helen, Queen of Sparta from Menelaus; it ignites a full scale war that will devastate a civilization. If you like action packed movies that well build you up with action and then give you butterflies from love and death scenes, then this movie is for you.
Work Cited.
“Troy (2004).” Troy. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/troy/>.
Rainer, Peter. “New York Magazine.” Troy. New York Times, 17 May 2004. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/reviews/n_10359/>.
Reed, Rex. New York Observer. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 12. <http://www.nyobserver.com/pages/story.asp?ID=9036>.
