The $185,000,000 production of Troy went through hell and back to end up on the silver screen. Tales of hurricanes, impending war, location changes, extreme temperatures and hot blondes running around naked ran rampant all over the media and internet.
Well folks, here’s the skinny on all of it:
Due to the war with Iraq, the original production location of Morocco had to be moved—first to Malta (in the Mediterranean)—and then to Baja California, Mexico…where several hurricanes ruined many of the sets. Naturally, with temperatures soaring above 100ºF, many crew members passed out. I hope their union delegates (read: Teamsters) got them extra compensation!
Which leaves us with the hot, naked blondes. Now, I was expecting to see sexy newcomer Diane Krueger (German model; of late appearing in Wicker Park and National Treasure) as Helen Of Troy—stripped down on the sizzling sands—launching those 1000 ships in her direction (with me at the very front helm!).
But, it was not to be…since the hot naked blonde turned out instead to be Brad Friggin’ Pitt! Buffed and oiled for his role as the heroic (or anti-heroic) Achilles, the man looks fantastic! With a long mane of blonde hair and a killer tan that makes George Hamilton look like an albino, Brad sure makes a good presence on screen.
As for the movie, Troy is an entertaining historical war-adventure film that harkens the sword-and-sandal films of yesteryear. Based on Homer’s The Iliad, with a touch of Virgil’s The Aeneid thrown in, Troy has the makings of another Gladiator (2000).
Elegantly directed by my favorite Teutonic filmmaker, Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm, Air Force One, In the Line of Fire, Das Boot )—the film works only because the production values overcome a weak script (by David Benioff— who wrote the screenplay for Spike Lee’s 25th HOUR…which sucked, by the way).
I loved the spectacular, sun-drenched widescreen cinematography by veteran British D.P. Roger Pratt (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Batman, Brazil).
Moving on, sharp editing (by L.A. Confidential cutter Peter Honess), awesome production design, Oscar-nominated costume design and solid VFX make this Greek story a non-tragedy (unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Oliver Stone’s Alexander—but that is another review).
In the acting category, Brad Pitt’s muscles and tan overshadow an almost-decent performance. However, he is out-acted by legendary thespian Peter O’Toole (give the man a real Oscar, already!!!!)—as the pragmatic Priam, King Of Troy.
Other worthy mentions are: rising Aussie actor Orlando Bloom (LOTR trilogy)—as the lascivious Prince Paris; other rising Aussie Eric Bana (better here than in that dreadful Hulk)—as the ill-fated Prince Hector); and my two favorite actors-who-I-thought-were-the-same-person: Brian Cox and Brendan Gleeson.
Cox (the Scottish actor in such films as Adaptation and Manhunter) and Gleeson (the Irishman from such films as Gangs of New York and 28 Days Later) steal the movie as the ...
