Amazon.com: No doubt about it, the 196-minute unrated director's cut of Troy represents a significant improvement over the film's original 162-minute theatrical release--and not just because it has more sex and violence. As director Wolfgang Petersen notes in his new "Troy Revisited" video introduction to this 2-disc special edition, he didn't have the time or directorial discretion (prior to Troy's release in 2004) to present a cut that more closely matched his vision for the film. Three years later, Petersen approached the film with a more relaxed perspective, and the result is a well-crafted expansion on a film that was previously underrated, with 30 minutes of previously unseen material. Character dynamics have been improved and intensified; the epic-scale narrative is now easier to follow, with greater emphasis on the inner turmoil of Achilles (well played by Brad Pitt) and his rivalry with Hector (Eric Bana); and viewers will feel a more satisfying escalation of tension and suspense from battle to battle. The film's enormous battle scenes (impressively enhanced with CGI) are bloodier and gorier, but they're also more effectively integrated into the political story, which goes beyond Homer's The Iliad and the death of Hector to incorporate elements of Virgil and a more revealing study of the differences between Trojan king Priam (Peter O'Toole) and his megalomanical Greek rival, king Agamemnon (Brian Cox), whose lust for revenge is now one of the film's most powerful ingredients. Some of Troy's original weaknesses remain (such as Orlando Bloom's wimpy performance as Paris), but overall, this director's cut easily justifies its existence, regardless of the film's overblown and historically inaccurate depiction of Troy as a gigantic city of massive columns and statuary. The good parts are better, and the not-so-good parts are more easily forgiven. And no matter how you cut it, Troy is a lavish feast for the eyes. --Jeff Shannon
Homer disappears for this spectacle "Troy" is an example of not taking your subject seriously. Homer's twin epics, "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" are sprawling, have lots of scenes, meander, and are not necessarily great movies in the making. But Homer's epics could be mined for the right material to make a good movie. But this isn't it.
First, the acting is not always so hot. Paris comes across as such a wimp that it is rather hard to take. Eric Bana creates a character who seems to recognize the tragedy that is occurring, but--compared with a wonderfully sculpted Brad Pitt--he doesn't look like he could hold his own with him in combat, which diminishes the impact of their inevitable one on one battle. Brad Pitt, as Achilles, seems pretty shallow, although he looks great. Peter O'Toole, playing Trojan King Priam, is not a terribly compelling figure.
Second, Homer (not Homer Simpson! Homer, the poet who created "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey") disappears as the script goes bizarre. Menelaus and Ajax die as portrayed in this version? The same with Agamemnon? There's enough pizzazz in Homer's work not to have to resort to the butchery of his works for alterations that are unnecessary.
Third, for some pluses. This is gorgeously shot; the battles scenes are well played; the computer graphics work well and are not over obtrusive. The depiction is near spectacular. Even though it bears only a modest resemblance to Homer (for which, ultimately, I'm old-fashioned enough that I cannot forgive the perpetrators), it is all to the good that people ignorant of his work will at least have some faint knowledge of it by watching this. Maybe a few more people might actually read his work after having viewed this flick. If so, this movie has made its own contribution.
I tend to rate products pretty positively, since I normally review things that I like. This movie I don't like so much. But, on the other hand, if you want to see a buff Brad Pitt, lots of spectacle, fine special effects, even if the movie greatly ignores Homer, then you'll probably enjoy this. So, on a split vote, I'll go with a 3.
TROY I love Brad Pitt as an actor. This movie on blu ray is one of the best I've seen. Clear & crisp picture and great sound. I didn't like the movie that much. It's over three hours long and the concept of going to war for one woman, it's a movie I cannot watch more than once. If you're a big Pitt fan, get it, if not, just skip it, you're not missing much.
I knew this would happen. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. Hollyweird gets a little taste of success with Gladiator and sure enough, now we have a slew of swords and sandals movies. The usual cheesy knock off movie, I knew going into it I wouldn't like it and sure enough I didn't. Is it just me or is Brad Pitt's acting just getting worse and worse. He started out great, he was awesome in True Romance and Interview With The Vampire. But ever since he got REALLY popular, his acting has gotten really lazy. He can't pull off this movie he's not a good enough of an actor. Crowe did fine in Gladiator, but like I said, Gladiator's success was an oddity. Troy is just poorly acted, poorly directed. The usual cardboard cookie cut out characters running around throwing spears and swinging swords. YAWN!!!!!!!!!! I watched it once, never again. If you're looking for a good movie with swords and sandals go with 300 or Gladiator. This movie is just a mess and should be avoided. Your eyes and ears with thank you. Pass.
Pitt Rules Pitt rules. He makes every movie his own. You can't deny his power, or his intimate relationship with the camera.
The battle scenes are tight and dramatic. The giant slain is my favorite scene. That, and when our hero is felled.
Petersen's majestic Troy I previously owned the HD DVD copy of this epic but traded it when I heard that there would be a Directors Cut which would be an improvement on the previous one as far as the video. If you're a fan of this film as I was, then I would recommend this epic whole-heartedly. Some of the dialogue is a little too contemporary for a film of this type and Diane Kruger seems somewhat wooded as Helen but a great beauty nevertheless but Pitt and Eric Bana do excel as the rivals in the war and they're supported by a fine cast of veteran actors such as Brian Cox & the great Peter O'Toole. This film doesn't quite fall in the classic status like "Gladiator" but nevertheless Wolfgang Petersen has delivered an enjoyable, entertaining epic with awesome battle scenes that DeMille would be proud of. Definitely a must if you have a HDTV that is 50" or more!!
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