Watch Troy

Troy is a 2004 epic war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, based on Homer's Iliad. Set in ancient Greece, the film tells the story of the Trojan War, sparked by the abduction of Helen of Sparta by Prince Paris of Troy. Brad Pitt plays Achilles, the best warrior of the Greeks, who is brought to fight for Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, against Troy, led by Hector, played by Eric Bana. Orlando Bloom stars as Paris, the romantic and controversial Trojan prince who steals Helen away from her husband, King Menelaus, and brings about the war.

The film's opening scene sets the tone, with a wide-angle shot of the legendary walls of Troy, as the voice-over of Odysseus, played by Sean Bean, describes the city's wealth and beauty. The film then cuts to the Greeks landing on the shores of Troy, where we see a glimpse of Achilles' raw power and cockiness. Pitt is physically imposing and impressive as Achilles, a charismatic leader who is as feared by his own side as by his enemies. His arrogant attitude and talent for killing on the battlefield are contrasted by his tenderness towards his cousin Patroclus, played by Garrett Hedlund, with whom he shares an ambiguous relationship.

As the Greeks march towards the city of Troy, we get to know the characters on both sides of the conflict. Hector, who is motivated by his love for his family and his duty to protect his people, is painted as the sympathetic hero of the Trojan side. He is a noble and honorable warrior, who tries to make peace with the Greeks but also understands the importance of defending his city. Bana delivers a powerful performance as the emotional and dignified prince, who has to face his own doubts and fears as the war unfolds.

The supporting cast includes notable actors such as Brian Cox, as the villainous Agamemnon, who is portrayed as a greedy and ruthless king, who doesn't care about the lives of his soldiers. Peter O'Toole plays King Priam of Troy, a wise and sorrowful ruler, who tries to negotiate with Achilles for the return of his son's body. Diane Kruger is beautiful and tragic as the Helen of Sparta, whose face launch thousand ships and whose actions lead to the destruction of a city.

The film's battle scenes are spectacular and realistic, with impressive choreography and cinematography that capture the chaos and brutality of combat. The use of practical effects, instead of CGI, gives a visceral quality to the violence on-screen, making it feel more like a war than a spectacle. The scenes of siege and fighting are intercut with moments of quiet reflection and dialogue, which help to give depth to the characters and their motivations.

Overall, Troy is a well-executed epic that manages to condense the complex and vast story of the Iliad into a concise and entertaining feature film. It is not a faithful adaptation of the original text, but rather a Hollywood blockbuster that tries to balance spectacle with emotion. The film's strengths lie in its cast, its technical achievements, and its ability to convey the themes of heroism, love, and tragedy that make the Iliad a timeless classic.

In conclusion, Troy is a must-watch movie for fans of historical epic dramas, action, and adventure films. It offers a modern take on a classic story, with great performances, stunning visuals, and thrilling action sequences. While it may not be a perfect film, it is definitely a memorable one that will leave a lasting impression on its audience.

Troy is a 2004 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 56.