Following in the wake of Aristotle’s tutelage (delivered by Christopher Plumber), Alexander, portrayed by Colin Farrell, ascends to the Macedonian throne in 336 BC at age twenty after his father's assassination (Val Kilmer). Over a span of thirteen years, he undertakes and completes conquests of the Persian Empire before venturing into India, ultimately deciding to return. Anthony Hopkins narrates as Ptolemy during his elder years, while Angelina Jolie embodies Alexander’s mother, who has an affinity for snakes. Rosario Dawson takes on the role of his wife, whom he acquires in Bactria (now part of Afghanistan). Oliver Stone's “Alexander” (2004) presented a significant challenge and possesses numerous strengths despite falling short of the appeal found in "Troy." It’s a visually striking epic featuring an excellent cast, impressive battle sequences, exotic locations and sets, and a noteworthy score by Vangelis. The narrative is naturally more complex than “Troy's” given its depiction of an empire traversing western Asia. Critics who prioritize historical accuracy have raised concerns about the scene where Alexander’s weary troops request to halt their advance into India so they can return home to their families. Alexander denies this, portraying him as a harsh ruler. Historical accounts indicate that Alexander deliberated on their request for several days before agreeing to turn back and did not punish anyone, demonstrating his compassion and mercy. This particular scene is simply Stone’s combination of various mutinies from throughout Alexander's campaigns, strategically placed within the story for dramatic effect. The film does show how Alexander introduced aspects of civilization to foreign peoples and embraced their cultures, aiming to unify diverse tribes under a single rule. The scenes featuring Val Kilmer as Alexander’s father are enjoyable, while those with Angelina Jolie become tedious after only a few minutes. It's clear: she loves snakes, dislikes her husband, and believes Zeus is Alexander’s father. A significant portion of Jolie’s screen time could have been removed without impacting the film’s flow. I didn’t find fault with the depiction of Alexander’s relationship with his childhood friend, Hephaistion (Jared Leto), as it's presented as a platonic bond akin to that of David and Jonathan in the Bible (as found in 2 Samuel 1:26). The film portrays them as close friends who occasionally embrace. I hug my best friend too, but only share intimacy with my wife. Regarding claims of Alexander’s bisexuality, there's no historical evidence to support it. While Plutarch, writing two centuries after Alexander’s time in the Roman Empire, mentioned a kiss between Alexander and Bagoas (Francisco Bosch), even if that event occurred, its significance is questionable; some cultures historically used kissing as a greeting ritual, such as Russians, with no sexual connotation. It would be akin to asserting Trump was gay 2327 years from now despite his marriages and children—a slanderous claim rooted in Stone’s attempt to cater to progressive viewpoints rather than historical truth. The scene is brief and merely suggests Alexander may have experimented with homosexuality after a night of revelry, something Greeks are known for (though Alexander would insist he's Macedonian, jokingly). Despite that significant issue, there’s much to appreciate about “Alexander,” as Stone is undeniably a talented filmmaker. It also prompts viewers to seek out the actual historical record. Filming took place at Pinewood Studios & Shepperton Studios, west of London, along with locations in Morocco and Thailand, making it fairly obvious where each scene was shot. Four versions of the film exist: the theatrical cut runs 2 hours and 55 minutes (175 minutes); the 2005 Director’s Cut is 2 hours and 47 minutes (167 minutes); the 2007 Final Cut spans 3 hours and 34 minutes (214 minutes); and the 2013 Ultimate Cut clocks in at 3 hours and 27 minutes (207 minutes). GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB