An epic hollywood film with a star cast tries to show the human element of Greek mythology and it fails, no doubt.
The plot is that Helen (wife of a Greek King) runs away with Paris (a prince of Troy) and a mother of all battles ensues to venge this act. Achilles, the hero of this film is on the Greek team and battles it out with Hector (Crown Prince of Troy / Paris’ brother) and their army in Troy.
The movie is based on Homer’s epic poem, Illiad. In the original works, you had Zeus, Apollo and other Gods battle it out with humans, helping and felling them. In eliminating the presence of the Gods, the story lacks the surreal effects and story magic. Achilles is a demi-God but here is merely a human who is unbeatable in battle.
There are several alterations to the storyline - in the original Achilles is killed before the Greek storm the castle of Troy. But Brad Pitt cannot die in the middle of the movie! No, he is jumping out of the Trojan horse and running around looking for his lady love as in any typical masala movie. And the fact that Achilles has a week spot in his leg that would cause his death is not mentioned.
Anyone who isn’t aware of the mythology would have a hard time grasping the death of the hero by a mere arrow shot through his ankle! (Fun Trivia: During shooting, Brad Pitt was injured - his ’achilles tendon’ was torn!)
Brad Pitt trained for months to look like the Greek Gods and he certainly looks the part of Achilles. But the character/actor lacked depth as did most others. India’s Aishwarya Rai was offered the role of Helen and she refused because she didn’t want to do nudity or kissing scenes. I feel she would have been a better Helen, than the one they had in the movie.
Helen is the face that cast a thousand ships to battle and this little known actress simply didn’t have that appeal. Orlando Bloom plays the wimpy Paris satisfactorily. Eric Bana gives a moving performance as Hector. The actor who plays Priam, King of Troy plays his role well.
Overall, it was a huge letdown. I strongly feel that the Greek Gods flying around wreaking havoc on the battle field would have lifted the film to greater levels. The film, as it is, has a very bland quality to it, doesn’t grab you into the story or make you feel for the lead character like in Braveheart.