Review: Troy
This movie should have been called Archilles because it gave no justice to the Illiad and the battle of Troy. The movie focused all on Archilles and his influence in the battle. Troy is a battle between gods and goddesses, heros and heroines, of which Archilles is only one. Troy is a battle of epic proportions. The movie was not epic. The time span of the battle in the movie was like 15 days. The real battle lasted years. The characters are also portrayed in different light. Menelaus and Paris are even more cowardice than they are in the movie. Neither dies but sit out from the battles for minor wounds. Menelaus was not a great warrior. He was pansy who involved many lives in his striving to reclaim his wife, which he accomplishes in the book but fails to do in the movie. Odysseus was not the hero he is in the book, mainly due to the overshadow of Archilles. Archilles is supposed to die before they enter Troy. In the movie he lasts till the very end. I could see why they would do this, but please don’t ruin a classical work for your own Hollywood cash-cow production. I hate when movies are based on books or real life events and don’t do justice to it. There were inaccurracies with the plot and characters that detracted from Troy making it fall flat on it’s face when compared to Homer’s Illiad.
Despite all these shortcomings, there are some redeeming things. I’m learning from Pastor Min to see movies in light of the Bible. There was another concurring theme besides the stupid love storys (Helen’s story was part of the Illiad). What captures the theme is what Archilles’ mom says to him while he decides to go to Troy. She says (and I paraphrase) If you stay and find a nice wife, you’ll grow old, and have children. Your children will know you and maybe you’re grandchildren, but after that, will their children remember you? Your name will be forgotten. But if you go and fight, you can make a name for yourself. A name that will last throughout the generations.” It makes me think, will I be remembered through the ages? Am I a man of great faith who will be remembered? A man like John Piper, Billy Graham, Jim Elliot? How many people will thank me in Heaven? Will I make am impact in another person life? There are three things that last throughout the ages, God, his Word, and People. Am I investing in that last one? It reminds me of the song by Nichole Nordman, Legacy. I could see in Archilles, the purpose for his life. He had a goal, an objective, and he was going to be the best at it. He was driven by a purpose. He fought for a reason that lasted. It was not based on a person or something temporal, but something that would last. Do I fight for a purpose or do I fight as one beating the air? Seeing this theme really struck me and was almost enough to make it a great movie. I would suggest this movie if you haven’t read the Illiad or are familar with the story, or if you want to see this theme. The fighting isn’t on the level of LotR, the script is decent but there are cheesy poses, like poster boy poses. Helen is hot though as she’s supposed to the beautifuliest in the world. All in all, I’d say wait for the DVD to come out.