4 replies to this topic

[Moonpooka]

This is a review i did for Alexander The Great.. it being one of the best films i have seen despite the bad reviews from the media, and IMO it's also one of the best performances i have seen by AJ.. Tho maybe it was just the fact she was in it made me like it so much..

Alexander the Great – 2005



I have to mention this film because it was an absolute epic for me, and will always remain on my top ten list. I have no idea why it got so slated, but some of the reviews are unfair IMO. This was an awesome film with so much to offer in all directions.

The cast: Colin Farrell as Alexander, Angelina Jolie as Olympias, Sir Anthony Hopkins as Ptolemy I, and Val Kilmer as King Philip II, to name but a few. And I have to bear in mind that those being some of my most favourite actors and actresses, I was a tad bias in the cast department.

The story: The story is that of Alexander the Great, and we see the build up from a child, and his obsessive relationship with his Mother, to teen life and the battling relationship with his Father, and then his adventures into Macedonia, Egypt, Syria, Persia and Asia Minor.

Locations: The film was made in Ireland to save the tax fees on the film maker’s pockets, but you would never guess this was shot in such a location. There are also many Irish actors used, Colin Farrell being one of them, and his close friend and lover, Hephaestion played by Jared Leto, and I must say the use of Irish actors and their accents, made a refreshing change to the norm.

In to battle: The battle scenes are the best I have ever seen, with millions of soldiers and full on action, someone even remembered that you do actually come out of ground battle splattered in blood, and not with a squeaky clean freshly ironed shirt on. Of course the battle scenes are blood thirsty and not for the weak at heart, but magnificent is more a word I would use to describe these scenes.

The Settings: See those cities come to life on screen. Totally amazing and I suspect created by CGI. But within the walls we visit the most spectacular rooms in all the glory of those times. The fabulous windows, furniture and decorations are second to none.



Sum up: This is a three hour film so get plenty of popcorn in because you won’t want to leave your chair for fear of missing something. There’s never a dull moment from start to finish, and you’ll also learn a lot about those times. But to give credit, the cast made this film more of a pleasure for me, like try taking your eyes off Colin and Angelina!!! What beautiful people! Added to the beauty, romance, battle and history, this is also a very passionate film, it’s serious, sad, and at times heartbreaking. This really is a must to see.

10/10

[Patrick F]

Thank you for this excellent summary. I watched the movie last weekend again, and it's true it's excellent ! A good film about this unusual man, Alexander the Great, and though we don't see her a lot, Angie is excellent in her role as Olympias.
For the information, I post her the thread we had on JComm :
Alexander came out on DVD, here is information:
Posted by Lara Croft
Alexander (2004)



DVD Release Date: August 2, 2005
Run Time: 175
Number of discs: 2
DVD Features:
-Commentary by director Oliver Stone and historian Robin Lane Fox
-Resurrecting Alexander: explores the filming of Alexander
-Perfect Is the Enemy of God: provides an in depth look at the details that go into the filming of an epic
-"Vangelis Scores Alexander" featurette
-Theatrical trailers

There is also another edition:
Alexander - Director's Cut (2004)

DVD Release Date: August 2, 2005
Number of discs: 2
DVD Features:
-Commentary by director Oliver Stone
-Resurrecting Alexander: explores the filming of Alexander
-Perfect Is the Enemy of God: provides an in-depth look at the details that go into the filming of an epic
-Interviews with the cast on how they prepared for their roles
-"Vangelis Scores Alexander" featurette
-Theatrical trailers

and if you like the movie get the soundtrack too
Alexander [SOUNDTRACK]

Essential recordings: Vangelis
Audio CD (November 9, 2004)
Label: Sony

Tracks:
1. Introduction List
2. Young Alexander
3. Titans
4. Drums of Guagamela
5. One Morning at Pella
6. Roxane's Dance
7. Eastern Path
8. Gardens of Delight
9. Roxane's Veil
10. Bagoas' Dance
11. Charge
12. Preparation
13. Across the Mountains
14. Chant
15. Immortality
16. Dream of Babylon
17. Eternal Alexander
18. Tender Memories

I added some information about the bilingual French English version of the DVD's



Finally I added this as well :
A great movie directed by Oliver Stone. Unfortunately, it didn't get the success it deserved : good and interesting story, good actors and ... actresses (of course ! ); there was a fashion for new peplums a coupla years ago, also remember excellent movies like Troy and Kingdom of Heaven, but, no luck for Alexander. I don't know if the DVD sold well ...
Anyway, Oliver Stone is given another chance for a next movie (without Angie unfortunately, but she can't be everywhere, can she ?); I got this from ContactMusic :

Quote

STONE'S GRATEFUL FOR SECOND CHANCE

Hollywood director OLIVER STONE is grateful to be given the chance to work on upcoming movie WORLD TRADE CENTER after a string of box office flops. The controversial film-maker suffered professionally when a number of his projects were received badly by the critics and the public, none more so than the 2004 epic ALEXANDER, starring ANGELINA JOLIE and COLIN FARRELL. His run of commercial disappointments looks set to end after producers MICHAEL SHAMBERG and STACY SHER took a chance on the director's latest offering based on the tragedy of 9/11. Stone says, "Alexander was a cold turkey in this town. I think unfairly, but it was, and I took a hit. Nobody's your friend, nobody wants to talk to you."
31/07/2006 12:51

[Patrick F]

Hey, I got the audio-cd too now ! I'm listening to it right now.
Not enough for me to have the DVD's, I also need the CD's !

[gab]

I have a small video footage of AJ in this movie: when she sings to small Alexander:)

The critics where unfair with her in this role. Even though its a small role, she's GREAT in it.

she looks great as Alexander's mother too:)))

[Patrick F]

Very unfair because she was great as Olympias ! Whether she has a smaller part like in this movie or in Skycaptain or whether she has the main part (A Mighty Heart, Tomb Raider, Beyond Borders ...) she is always so professional; she does her job seriously, I've never seen a single movie in which she is bad.
Here is the cover of the CD :

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