Movie "Alexander the Great"....ain't !!

[DebJ]

Boy, is this movie BAD!!! Do NOT waste your time or money on this one. And I mean, a lot of time....almost three hours.

Before we entered the theatre, I knew very little about Alexander. I knew that he conquered most of the known world, and that like many Greeks, he was involved in bisexual activities. And I deduced that since he conquered most of the world, he must have been an effective leader for his time (irregardless of my personal feelings about Conquering Imperialists).

After three very long hours, I knew that he conquered most of the world, but only because they stated that a few times in a narrative form. And the homosexual allusions take up an incredibly substantial part of the movie. So much so, that one could easily leave thinking that this is almost the only sexual activity in ancient Greece.
Oliver Stone leaves you with absolutely no idea as to why Alexander was able to lead anyone anywhere at all. He does not display any sense of strength or character whatsoever.
He doesn't give you any kind of concept of military capabilities, either. The one scene where he attempts to show a plan of action by Alexander, for the battle at Guagamela (spelling?), the camera shots are so cut up that you can not follow the battle plan that Alexander and his commanders are looking at. Then they cut to the actual battle, and you can't follow that action, either.
My husband loves Alexander and military history (odd since he despises a war and loves to go to war protests, etc), so he could follow it somewhat better...but that was his own head, not on the screen.
Other than Alexander's father and mother, and a bit of Alexander's lifetime friend/lover male, there is no character development.
Don't waste your time. Read a book!

[TexasProgresive]

1. Reading the reviews of Alexander

I was wondering if Oliver Stone ever made a good movie.

[DebJ]

2. funny thing is I often don't agree with reviewers, but CNN's story

was right on the mark with this one.

[GingerSnaps]

3. Platoon

[Amaya]

4. Born On The Fourth Of July

nt

[Ernesto]

11. Yes Platoon & 4th really put Stone on the map

I think I lived both those films.

[Richardo]

14. The answer to that question is: No.

He has never made a good movie. x(

[DS1]

5. I hate this fast-cut fighting/planning wave in directing

It doesn't do a good job of covering up inexperience and a well rehearsed and thought out fight - whatever that means :evilfrown:

[AlabamaYankee]

6. The Washington post's Review Headline:

"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Movie"

(For those of you who are childless or too young, it's a take off on one of the best children's book titles ever)

[robcon]

7. NYT trashes it with a good headline also...

"With No More Parents to Conquer, He Wept"

http://movies2.nytimes.com/2004/11/24/movies/24alex.html?8mu

[tjdee]

8. Was Rosario Dawson awful, or what!

Haven't seen it (trailers looked bad, and the hair color....yikes), but I don't understand how Rosario "Pluto Nash" Dawson continues to get work in Hollywood.

Oh actually I do know--only about 2 black/black looking actresses get work at a time. :evilgrin:

[raggedcompany]

9. Plutarch wrote an account of Alexander's life

I recommend it highly.

[NewJeffCT]

10. History Channel - Decisive Battles

I'd recommend that show to your husband, where they use computer technology to recreate famous ancient battles. I think Gaugamela was one of them, as I recall Alexander basically surrounding a much large force of Persians & crushing them. Most of the battles are ancient Rome or around that era.

Unfortunately, I don't know if the show is gone or on hiatus now, as I haven't seen it in 3 weeks or so now.

[NewJeffCT]

13. oops, my mistake

I was thinking of the battle of Cannae where Hannibal surrounded a much larger Roman force and crushed them through superior tactics. Gaugamela was Alexander piercing the Persian Center, charging Darius & making him retreat like a coward, causing the Persian army to rout...

[smirkymonkey]

12. Also, I'm sorry, but Colin Farrell looks like Garth from Wayne's World

with that blond wig. It's so ridiculous looking!