re: Why did "Gladiator" work and "Troy" didnt?

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yeah it was. also, the opening scene when he ends the battle by killing the big dude was fricking epic.

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My opinion of the movie wouldn't be near as good without this scene. It was frickin sweet.

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The difference between the 2 movies can be summed up in 1 scene of Troy. The scene where they are having a big battle and Achilles is on strike to make a point to the king. So the big epic war scene is raging on with carnage everywhere and suddenly Achilles' cousin shows up dressed as Achilles. At that point the entire epic war scene stops on a dime and Bana and the cousin dressed as Achilles go one on one. Completely unrealistic and made a great scene a total farce.

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Maybe you should read a few history books.

The only problem I had with that scene was Hector's tactical error in stopping to take off the mask when he supposedly had slain Achilles.

His men had just reached an emotional high as their greatest warrior had just slain the greatest warrior of the Greeks. Had he pressed the battle from there, the Trojans would have won a total victory by driving the Greeks into the sea.

Not only does he stop to reveal that Achilles wasn't really Achilles but he also stops the battle and orders his men to bug out, thus signing his own death warrant as well as the death warrant of his beloved city.

He also could have continued the assault even after unmasking Patriclus. The Greeks were at a psychological and tactical disadvantage either way. Whatever way you want to slice it, the Trojans win that battle and with it the war 100% of the time. But NO! Hector calls a halt to the fighting and orders his men to return to Troy.

What an a-hole.

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...because Gladiator could be shaped/written like any story for this generation while Troy had to follow Homer (somewhat) and use language that bothers kids who can't spell beyond texting.

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That still doesn't explain Hector's decision to withdraw his forces when they were on the brink of total victory. All for what? He killed a boy. Was the life of one Greek boy greater than the lives of his fellow Trojans?!!

Hector was a pussy who didn't have the courage to do all that was necessary to defend his homeland. He got what he deserved.

You want to know the real reason why Troy didn't work? Because Troy is the prequel to The Odyssey, and since they didn't set up for a sequel, Hollywood shunned it.

Troy is a guilty pleasure of mine

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Read the Iliad when you are 18 and you will discover the wonder of Achilles. Read the Iliad when you are 35 and you will know the tragedy of Hector. Women shouldn't be weeping when Achilles dies at the end, like the movie attempts to do. Everyone should be disappointed that Hector, as excellent as he is... loving father and husband, loyal brother, devoted son, humble before the gods, excellent in battle, revered among his people... is slaughtered by an unfeeling, immature butcher of men. And here's the kicker - Hector, as awesome a fighter as he is... knows he stands no chance. He does his duty anyway.

S-U-C-K-S.

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Great post.

I was pulling for Hector when he fought Achilles even though I knew he was going to die.

Paris though? Killed Achilles with a bow. And couldn't beat a tub of lard piece of shite. Paris is a pussy he should have died.

Even though I like Sean Bean as an actor I thought he was miscast as Odysessus (sp)?

This thread got me to re-watch the movie now, and one thing pisses me off. How do 50 men, led by Achillies I understand, take the beach from Troy so easily?

They had higher ground, and more soldiers. Where were the defenses? It looks like they are just putting in defenses right before the Spartans land. WTF?