I loved this movie on the first (and second and third etc) time watching. I was truly baffled at my friends and peers who ridiculed the movie and said it was just Hollywood cashing in on big stars and the trend of epic movies being released. Maybe that's true but it shouldn't detract from this being honestly one of the best 'epic movies' of its time.
Really go back and analyse each scene (if you feel the inclination). Is there a single speech or sentence that doesn't add something to the story? Is there a set piece not worthy of attention? Was there any character who was obsolete or rambling or unmemorable?
Every character is so perfectly crafted and so different from their counterpart that you really feel for the characters.
I loved and hated each and every one of them in all the right ways. I wanted to punch Paris (which is the point of his character). I was devastated when hector died but loved every blow of the fight. I spent the whole movie trying to decide whether I was on Achilles side or not (again, that's the point). Even the side characters like Sean bean, rose Byrne and Peter o'toole gave 3D performances that gave the story more heart.
Then onto the fight scenes. Every spear throw, punch, kick and swing of the sword was felt. I really don't know where half of these film makers have went wrong in recent years. The late 90s and early 2000s seemed to be the golden age of action. When CGI complimented practical effects instead of replacing them. Watch the new matrix and you'll see what I mean. You don't even see half the hits they make.
Finally, you can't get make a good epic war movie without some goosebump inducing speeches or quotes. This has it in spades (admittedly mostly from Achilles). E.g. "beyond those walls is immortality. Take it! It's yours!!!" Awesome.
Ok, so maybe my 10 stars is a little over the top. It deserves 8.5 in earnest but for anyone reading any of my other reviews you'll see that I tend to inflate the rating out of spite for those giving movies unnecessarily low ratings (i read a review from someone who gave the matrix one star but had only watched the trailer!!! That's really messed up in my opinion. At least watch the whole thing before you trash it).
Anyway, I would agree that this probably sits one rung below gladiator, braveheart and lord of the rings, but perhaps that's why so many people panned it. Because they were comparing it to utter greatness. It's a shame this came out in 2004 and not 1994. It would be sitting among the 'best of all time' if it hadn't followed in the footsteps of (and probably learned from) so many other incredible epics.
"That's why no one will remember your name!" Achilles.
Really go back and analyse each scene (if you feel the inclination). Is there a single speech or sentence that doesn't add something to the story? Is there a set piece not worthy of attention? Was there any character who was obsolete or rambling or unmemorable?
Every character is so perfectly crafted and so different from their counterpart that you really feel for the characters.
I loved and hated each and every one of them in all the right ways. I wanted to punch Paris (which is the point of his character). I was devastated when hector died but loved every blow of the fight. I spent the whole movie trying to decide whether I was on Achilles side or not (again, that's the point). Even the side characters like Sean bean, rose Byrne and Peter o'toole gave 3D performances that gave the story more heart.
Then onto the fight scenes. Every spear throw, punch, kick and swing of the sword was felt. I really don't know where half of these film makers have went wrong in recent years. The late 90s and early 2000s seemed to be the golden age of action. When CGI complimented practical effects instead of replacing them. Watch the new matrix and you'll see what I mean. You don't even see half the hits they make.
Finally, you can't get make a good epic war movie without some goosebump inducing speeches or quotes. This has it in spades (admittedly mostly from Achilles). E.g. "beyond those walls is immortality. Take it! It's yours!!!" Awesome.
Ok, so maybe my 10 stars is a little over the top. It deserves 8.5 in earnest but for anyone reading any of my other reviews you'll see that I tend to inflate the rating out of spite for those giving movies unnecessarily low ratings (i read a review from someone who gave the matrix one star but had only watched the trailer!!! That's really messed up in my opinion. At least watch the whole thing before you trash it).
Anyway, I would agree that this probably sits one rung below gladiator, braveheart and lord of the rings, but perhaps that's why so many people panned it. Because they were comparing it to utter greatness. It's a shame this came out in 2004 and not 1994. It would be sitting among the 'best of all time' if it hadn't followed in the footsteps of (and probably learned from) so many other incredible epics.
"That's why no one will remember your name!" Achilles.