| ~Movie Review~ Troy. |
| BRIEFS (cont.): By this time, Achilles has already decided to pack up and go home, convinced that now Helen�s husband is dead, there is no point to the war�s continuance. He is oblivious to the battle that goes on that night, and is unaware that his cousin, Patrichlus (Garrett Hedlund) has stolen his armour and is leading the Greek Army in their fight. In this fight, everyone believes that Patrichlus is Achilles and follows him. Hector fights him in battle, convinced he is battling the great Achilles, and cuts his throat in victory� Patrichlus dies at the hand of Hector, and the entire army gasps as his helmet is removed. Hector is devastated, as is Achilles when he learns of this incident. His sorrow and hatred is now channelled towards Hector, and he rides on his chariot to the Kingdom of Troy, shouting incessantly Hector�s name until the gates open and Hector walks out, armed and ready. Viewers already know that one of them will not survive. The two duel, and consequently, Hector is stabbed in the shoulder and in the heart by Achilles� skilful sword. Victorious, Achilles straps Hector to his chariot and drags his body all the way back to the beach. Horrified, King Priam, Prince Paris, Andromache (Hector�s wife, played by Saffron Burrows) and Helen look on as this occurs. Tears are in their eyes. This scene is sickening as well as overwhelming� I cried. Priam later goes to Achilles� tent thing and asks for Hector�s body back, and Achilles agrees. The funeral ceremony takes 7 days, and twelve days later news is sent to the King. The Greeks have fled as their purpose is no longer justified, and they leave behind a gift: a massive, wooden, hand-built Trojan horse. Little go the Torjans know that it�s a trap, and the Greeks have not fled at all. A few Greeks, including Achilles and Odysseus are hidden inside the horse, and when the Trojans are asleep, they open the gates from the inside, letting the entire Greek Army inside the Trojan City. The Trojans are completely massacred, however Paris, Helen, Andromache and a few others manage to escape through a tunnel leading towards the river. Agamemnon stabs a spear right through Priam�s frail body, and so the King of Troy is lost. Paris, whilst searching for his cousin Briseis (Rose Byrne), sees her kill Agamemnon and then he shoots Achilles with his bow and arrow! (Briseis and Achilles have had a love affair throughout the film, sleeping together quite a bit, and possibly fallenin love.) Paris�s first arrow goes straight through Achilles� heel� ironic, eh? ;) Achilles dies as Briseis runs away in tears, being led to the tunnel by Paris. The Trojans were killed and defeated, and all of Troy was burned to the ground. Few Greeks survived, compared to the large number there had been primarily. The only main character that survives is Odysseus, who conducts Achilles' funeral in the very last scene of the film. It is Sean Bean�s voice which does the beginning and final narration. COMMENT: I had anticipated this film for so long, before I had the opportunity to see it. I loved it! However, I have to say it was quite long and Orlando was not in it as much as I would have liked, but nevertheless it was a great film. I found that there were many tantalising verses and quotes, and well as some brilliant acting by Eric Bana. I loved the characters, and the sets, especially the desert-like imagery of Troy. In reference to the legend and story of Troy itself, the literal happenings did not match those portrayed on screen. I anticipated many events that did not even occur, for example, Paris�s death. Paris was, in fact, supposed to die. After all, why would someone who stole a King�s Queen be spared his life in that time? Exactly my point. No complaints, though, I quite enjoyed seeing Orlando�s character on the big screen till the very end! This movie actually absorbed me. I cringed at every death and every blood spatter; every stab and every sword slash. I cried when Patrichlus coughed up his last portion of blood, and when Hector realised he had just murdered a young boy instead of the great warrior he�d envisioned. I longed to reach out to Paris when he retreated from his terrifying fate in battle, and I cheered when Hector thrust his brother�s sword straight through Menelaus�s stomach. I should probably comment on how easy that action was � I mean, what was the damn point of wearing armour if it made no difference? The swords went straight through it! I had tears streaming down my face when Achilles finally won the battle against Hector and himself. I choked on a sob when Hector�s lifeless figure was dragged along the orange sand behind Achilles� chariot. It was heartwrenching to view not only Hector�s father�s expression, but Hector�s wife�s and Hector�s brother�s. I think that any appraisal on this film would have to be complimentary. The action was great, as was the empathy. This film will never leave my heart, despite the violence and loss. The whole idea is that people would die for honour, but would die � in a heartbeat- for love, over anything else. ONE WORD: Enthralling |