Little Alex

[poliphilo]

Do I want to see a film about Alexander the Great?

Not really.

I had the same problem with Troy. Man-killing Achilles, even when airbrushed to suit Brad Pitt's image and sensibilities, is not someone I want to spend much time with.

The 20th century's experience of war and empire has revolutionized our taste in heroes. We no longer favour aggressors like Alexander. We identify instead with the resistance. We want to see Russell Crowe take on the Roman Empire or Viggo Mortensen fight his way to a crown that is justly his.

Being asked to cheer for Alexander is a bit like being asked to cheer for Mordor.

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

You have chosen wisely.

I understand that Alexander is possibly one of the worst movies ever made.

One critic said that you could chop up the movie into five segments and splice them back together at random and still have the same movie.

Another critic said he wanted Alexander to "just die already" so he could go home.

I think Peter Jackson's LOTR has surely started this battlefield epic trend--horses, swords, and dust.

Coming soon: the Crusades, starring Orlando Bloom!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I like historical epics in theory, but in practice they're generally rubbish.

I wonder how they'll handle the Crusades? I doubt if they could have chosen a more sensitive historical subject.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

One critic said that you could chop up the movie into five segments and splice them back together at random and still have the same movie.


Coming soon: the Crusades, starring Orlando Bloom!

I wish I'd said the first. It's a great quote, and from the people I know who saw the movie, it's very true.

As for Mr. Orlando Bloom - he's too skinny to go off to the Crusades.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

As for Mr. Orlando Bloom - he's too skinny to go off to the Crusades.

He is so delightful to watch, but he does look best like an elf...