ALEXANDER
Released: November 24, 2004
Alexander (Colin Farrell) is the son of Philip of Macedonia (Val Kilmer) and Queen Olympias (Angelina Jolie). This is directed by Oliver Stone, who is one of my most favorite directors. Is this another classic Stone film? No. Visually much more stunning than 2004's "Troy" but not quite as well-told as that film - and both films clearly cannot match the grand spectacle of action, acting, visuals, music and sound that Ridley Scott gave us in 2000's "Gladiator". A bio pic from a life as great as Alexander's is too wide in scope, even for an almost 3 hour long movie. Michael Mann knew this, and in his "Ali" movie, he concentrates on only a selected period of the great boxer's career. Even in 2004's "Ray", the story is confined to Ray Charles' early career highlights. "Alexander" is simply too big for it's own good, never finding a focus. Even the action scenes are jittery and soft-focused, though when the action is easy to see you understand why this film, more than any other in recent memory, deserves a "no animals were harmed" disclaimer. Also starring Jared Leto, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Hopkins and Christopher Plummer.
173 Minutes
Warner Bros.