Directed by Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm, In the Line of Fire)
Starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Peter O’Toole and Brian Cox
It’s hard to give a film like “Troy” a simple “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.” It depends what you’re looking for. If you like huge battles with swords, shields, bows and arrows, then “Troy” delivers. If you like to know the difference between the good guys and the bad guys—if you like the good guys to be nice, honorable and fair, but the bad guys to lie, steal and kill—then Troy might not fulfill your expectations. The character of Prince Hector (Hulk’s Eric Bana) may be the only true good guy in the film. And if you are looking for a good wholesome film that you could watch with the entire family, then skip this one, or get your hand on the fast forward button. This film has more “nudity without actual nudity” than a Jessica Simpson evening gown.
“Troy” has great performances and fantastic battle scenes, particularly the one on one combat sequences. Brad Pitt nails the role of Achilles. His fighting looks genuine, even graceful. You’ll love his “Air Jordon” leap with the downward sword thrust. And he creates a body count that rivals that of John Rambo. But Pitt does more than just swing a sword better than Lancelot, he accurately shows you Achilles’ pride, his obsession with his own legacy. Achilles, a man of no fear, fears his name forgotten.
But “Troy” also was disappointing on many levels. Die hard “Illiad” fans might be disappointed with the direction that Wolfgang Peterson took with Homer’s classic poem simply in that, when you’re trying to make a book into a movie, stuff gets left out and stuff gets changed. The same was true with Lord of the Rings. As great as those films were, Tolkien fans voiced strong opinions as to why certain story elements were abandoned and others were manipulated.
At the beginning of “Troy,” audiences might be confused with who’s who, especially considering the lack of clear cut heroes and villains. Not to mention, the lack of likable characters. I know I like to admire someone in a film. Every “hero” in this film, save Hector, made you cringe at one point or another and cross them off your list of favorite characters.
I know many people who don’t like graphic violence, I married one. But many of these people made exceptions for “Braveheart,” “Gladiator,” “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,” even “Glory.” Why? Because you as an audience member grew to love an honorable character that stood for something greater than himself. There was a good reason to swing a sword, throw a spear, or endure a terrible torture. “Troy” doesn’t provide that. Maybe not at the fault of the film-makers, but at the fault of the pen of Homer. If Achilles volunteered at the local soup kitchen every weekend, he still wouldn’t have the integrity and character of William Wallace.
So love it, or hate it. You’re in good company. “Troy” is a good tale of the battle for the city of Troy, the stealing of Helen, and the Trojan Horse. But it also is a graphic story about selfish, greedy and prideful characters battling for love and power.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
