ANALYSIS: The siege of Troy is something that everyone knows about unless you have been living under a rock. The Greeks
went to war with the Trojans after they found a perfect excuse. One of the Trojan princes took Queen Helen away from a Greek
King. They loved each other and it caused the downfall of Troy. Then there is that big legend about Achilles being killed
with an arrow through his ankle. TROY is the latest adaptation of the big mythic story about the Trojan War.
USA Network had their big mini-series (not too long ago) about Helen of Troy. Helen (Diane Kruger) may be present in TROY,
but director Wolfgang Peterson has decided to focus on Achilles (Brad Pitt) and the two Princes of Troy: Hector (Eric Bana)
and Paris (Orlando Bloom in his worst acting job ever) instead with Helen being a little seen bit player. Orlando Bloom just
really disappoints here as he is seen as this weak lothario who has lust in his eyes for Helen. Brad Pitt, on the other hand,
makes Achilles into a sympathetic warrior. Saffron Burrows looks different as Hector's wife like she has gained just a little
weight to be a little more healthy looking. Big highlights of this movie are the battles (and fights) and the scenes between
Achilles and Hector's cousin. TROY is an epic spectacle when it comes to sets, costumes, battles, and special effects. It
even has some good classic actors in it like Brian Cox and Peter O'Toole.
VIDEO/AUDIO: TROY is presented in 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen. Colors and blacks are nice. Image detail isn't a thing
to laugh at either. Images do come across clearly.
You hear TROY in English or French 5.1 Dolby Digital with the option of English, French, or Spanish subtitles (special
features on disc two have the option of French subtitles). Dialogue is clear and sharp. The music is loud and booming at times
where some of the sounds in the sound mix are nice.
SPECIAL FEATURES: All the extras are on disc two. No audio commentaries on disc one for the movie.
IN THE THICK OF THE BATTLE goes into all the work that went into the battle and fight sequences from training the extras
to fight with spears to the delays on filming the fight between Hector and Achilles (a hurricane destroyed the set on the
last week of shooting causing it to be rebuilt and then a 3 month delay due to Brad Pitt pulling his achilles tendon).
FROM RUINS TO REALITY covers the historical research done for the sets, the detail being put into the sets, the problems
with filming on a beach in Baja Mexico, the hurricane that destroyed the city wall of Troy, and the building of the Trojan
Horse.
TROY: AN EFFECTS ODYSSEY is a featurette on the digital effects and sound effects of the movie. You see how they create
digital ships (and reduced the number in the water for the final film), CGI armies, and combining camera shots from two different
locations into one shot.
GALLERY OF THE GODS is a 3D guide talking about the Gods of Greek Myth mentioned in TROY. Also included on disc two is
a theatrical trailer for TROY.
I feel disappointed with the extras a little bit. I wish we had deleted scenes, a featurette on editing, and something
on the conception of the story.
FINAL ANALYSIS: TROY is at least good for a rental. Definitely this one will appeal to action fans and fans of various
actors who are in TROY.
this DVD review is (c)1-28-2005 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com and look for additional content (and site updates) at http://www.livejournal.com/users/enterlinemedia
