[Screen It]

 

"ALEXANDER"
(2004) (Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie) (R)

Alcohol/
Drugs
Blood/Gore Disrespectful/
Bad Attitude
Frightening/
Tense Scenes
Guns/
Weapons
Heavy Extreme Extreme *Moderate Extreme
Imitative
Behavior
Jump
Scenes
Music
(Scary/Tense)
Music
(Inappropriate)
Profanity
Mild None Mild None Minor
Sex/
Nudity
Smoking Tense Family
Scenes
Topics To
Talk About
Violence
Extreme None Moderate Moderate Extreme


NOTE:
Please note that this review is for the Original Theaterical Version of the film, not the new director's cut for home video that may or may not contain the material listed below. It is our general policy not to re-review director's cuts, special editions, unrated versions, etc. of previously released films. Thank you for your understanding of this matter.
QUICK TAKE:
Drama/Action: A young king leads a massive army across Persia and eastern Asia in his quest to conquer and consolidate the various lands and their people under his control in this biographical look at Alexander the Great.
PLOT:
It's the 4th century BC and Egyptian king Ptolemy (ANTHONY HOPKINS) is recounting the life and times of the most famous Macedonian leader, Alexander the Great. Born to King Philip II (VAL KILMER) and the snake-loving Olympias (ANGELINA JOLIE) and educated by the likes of the philosopher Aristotle (CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER), Alexander (COLIN FARRELL) is both destined and groomed for greatness.

Years later, his parents are divorced and Olympias urges Alexander to marry and sire a son to insure his rightful place on the throne, but he's more interested in his longtime friend and confidant, Hephaistion (JARED LETO). Yet, when Philip is assassinated, Alexander becomes king and begins a campaign -- with the aid of Hephaistion, Cleitus (GARY STRETCH), Ptolemy (ELLIOT COWAN) and many others -- to get revenge and then conquer the various independent and warring nations across Macedonia and then eastern Asia.

Taking commoner Roxane (ROSARIO DAWSON) as his wife in hopes of having a son, Alexander continues on his relentless march. Yet, as the years pass and more men are lost as they head further into the East, Alexander must decide how to keep his men happy, all while pursuing his militaristic goal of consolidating the various lands and their people under his control.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?
Older teens might, as may those who are fans of director Oliver Stone and/or anyone in the film, but younger kids probably won't have much interest in it.
WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R
For violence and some sexuality/nudity.
CAST AS ROLE MODELS:
  • COLIN FARRELL plays the young king who invades many lands and kills many people in his quest to conquer all and consolidate everything and everyone under his command. He acts rashly while drunk, sometimes questions his own actions and decisions, takes several wives and must deal with growing dissension among his men.
  • JARED LETO plays his longtime friend, soldier and gay lover.
  • ANGELINA JOLIE plays Alexander's vampy mother who hates Alexander's father (and may be behind his assassination) and gives him all sorts of advice about how to rule, all while having snakes around her all of the time.
  • VAL KILMER plays Alexander's sometimes brutal father, the King who doesn't get along with Olympias and wants his son to succeed him one day, but is always putting him in his place whenever he can. He drinks and is drunk in several scenes.
  • ROSARIO DAWSON plays the commoner who Alexander takes as his wife and who's jealous of the relationship between him and Hephaistion.
  • GARY STRETCH plays King Philip's right-hand man who then serves under Alexander only to eventually question his leadership decisions.
  • ANTHONY HOPKINS plays the former general in Alexander's army who succeeded him as ruler and is now dictating his predecessor's life for history to record.
  • CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER plays the philosopher who tutored Alexander.
  • CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

    HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE


    Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
    Then read OUR TAKE of this film.


    (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).


    OUR WORD TO PARENTS:
    The following is a quick look at the content found in this dramatic action biopic that's been rated R. Violence consists of various massive and large-scale battle scenes where many men are wounded or killed in all sorts of ways with various weapons (and some of that has extremely bloody results) while other smaller-scale lethal and non-lethal conflict is present (also with bloody results).

    Some husbands also try to force themselves on their wives (in near rape-like fashions), an ox is sacrificed by having its throat slit (not seen, but the bloody results are) and some monkeys are killed by arrows. Some of those scenes and other moments may be unsettling or suspenseful to some more sensitive viewers, while various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes.

    A married couple is seen having sex (with movement, sounds and nudity after a bout of roughness), a man's bare butt and scrotum are seen as he gets into bed before a suggested homosexual encounter. Other such homosexual and bisexual matter is suggested, referenced or hinted at. Various period statues and paintings show classic-style nudity (mostly of the male full frontal variety). Various bits of non-explicit, but sexually related dialogue are present. Profanity consists of a handful of minor expletives, while some colorful phrases are also present.

    Tense family material involves a failed marriage, divorce and later a parental death, while various characters drink, resulting in some drunkenness. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

    For those concerned with bright flashes of light on the screen, some flickering from a torch in a dark scene creates that. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, various scenes feature camerawork that's shaky or bouncy and might induce that reaction.


    ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE
  • Philip, who's drunk, forces himself on Olympias.
  • King Philip drinks.
  • Miscellaneous people drink, including King Philip, and some appear to be drunk.
  • Hephaistion and Alexander drink.
  • Alexander and others drink.
  • Alexander and others drink in another scene.
  • Ptolemy states that since the water was putrid on their journey, they drank the strong wine.
  • Alexander and others drink, with the crowd cheering him on as he guzzles down the wine or whatever he's having.
  • King Philip tells a man to make sure that the wine flows as he wants these people to like him.
  • Alexander and others drink, with Alexander appearing to be drunk (and he guzzles his down).
  • BLOOD/GORE
  • Philip and various other war veterans have heavy scars that have permanently covered over one of their eyes each.
  • We see various crudely drawn wall paintings where red paint is present to represent blood in some of the violent images (such as that of a spear in a face).
  • As part of a pre-battle ceremony, Alexander slices an ox's neck while sacrificing it. We don't see the actual cutting, but do see a lot of its blood on Alexander and then later its bloody entrails on a table.
  • A long battle scene featuring soldiers from opposing sides clashing, fighting, injuring and kill their opponents. We see arrows fired and landing in many (with some brief bloody results); spikes on spinning chariot wheels ripping through some soldiers (briefly seen but with some quick shots of lots of blood); spears thrown or run through various soldiers (with bloody results), a sword is run through a person's neck; an arm is cut off, an upper thigh is badly cut; and others are stabbed, chopped and otherwise struck by swords and other period weapons (with blood gushing, squirting or running out from the various wounds).
  • We see the wounded survivors of a massive battle and many of them are covered in their or others' blood (including Alexander).
  • We see various scars on various soldiers, including Alexander.
  • We see a dead leader who's been killed by his own men and there's blood on him, his clothes and the rocks behind him.
  • Alexander briefly holds a severed head in celebration.
  • A spear pierces a conspirator's torso while he's tied up (with some bloody results).
  • An officer publicly confronts and questions Alexander's motives and plans, leading to a testy argument between the two. Alexander has finally had enough and runs his officer through with his sword, killing him (with bloody results out from the back where we see the blade come through).
  • King Philip has blood on him after being stabbed, while Alexander then has King Philip's blood on him.
  • There's some struggling and something (perhaps a severed head) hits Alexander.
  • The camera shot pans by a log or something similar to which various dead and bloody bodies are tied.
  • Alexander's forces battle opponents on the ground and who are riding elephants that crash through Alexander's lines, killing or knocking many aside. Lots of hand to hand fighting also occurs, while we briefly see a tusk go through a person, while a different elephant tosses another person aside. Elephants are stabbed (with bloody results), while an elephant steps down on a person, crushing them (no impact). Alexander then rides into the opposing forces, slashing and stabbing many (little actual impact is seen, but there is some blood).
  • We see arrows sticking out of a horse, with another slicing through its skin (with blood) and then a large spear hitting it in the chest. An arrow also hits its rider, knocking him to the ground. More such fighting occurs, with one person hit in the thigh (with lots of bleeding), an elephant knocks a guy from his ride and another elephant has part of its trunk nearly sliced off (briefly seen, but with bloody results).
  • Alexander is very bloody following a battle.
  • During the above battle, the camera shot sports a red hue, presumably to symbolize all of the bloodshed.
  • DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE
  • Philip, who's drunk, forces himself on Olympias and when she resists, he starts to choke her. That prompts young Alexander to jump on him, but the king throws the boy off and others must then restrain him.
  • A comment is made that the "Oriental" races are barbarians and prone to excessive sensory behavior.
  • Philip has divorced Olympias, remarried and fathered a baby. In response, the jealous Olympias states, "Pregnant so soon, the little whore."
  • As part of a pre-battle ceremony, Alexander slices an ox's neck while sacrificing it. We don't see the actual cutting, but do see a lot of its blood on Alexander and then later its bloody entrails on a table (those opposed to any violence against animals will likely see this as a bad attitude).
  • We see a dead leader who's been killed by his own men and there's blood on him, his clothes and the rocks behind him.
  • Some of Alexander's men have contempt for people from other lands. He does as well (for invading and killing them), but thinks he's doing them good by incorporating them into his empire.
  • Some of Alexander's men conspire against him.
  • Roxane states that the Indians are evil people.
  • A man kisses King Philip on the mouth (presumably as an insult like the following), spits in his face and then stabs and mortally wounds him.
  • It's implied that Olympias was somehow behind or involved in Philip's assassination.
  • There's talk that Alexander had various extended family members executed.
  • Alexander talks of his men taking mistresses while traveling abroad (and thus cheating on their wives back home).
  • We hear that Alexander took two more wives.
  • It's implied that Roxane poisoned another person who dies.
  • FRIGHTENING SCENES
  • Scenes listed under "Violence" and "Blood/Gore" may be unsettling, suspenseful or scary to younger viewers and/or those with low tolerance levels for such material.
  • For those afraid of snakes, various scenes feature them being around or draped across Olympias.
  • Philip, who's drunk, forces himself on Olympias and when she resists, he starts to choke her. That prompts young Alexander to jump on him, but the king throws the boy off and others must then restrain him.
  • As part of a pre-battle ceremony, Alexander slices an ox's neck while sacrificing it. We don't see the actual cutting, but do see a lot of its blood on Alexander and then later its bloody entrails on a table.
  • A badly wounded man is put out of his misery in a mercy killing where a spike is knocked into his neck, killing him.
  • After marrying her, Alexander tries to force himself on Roxane who fights back. Some of her clothes are torn off (revealing her bare breasts) and she smacks him. She then grabs a knife and holds it to his neck while straddling him (we see the side of her bare butt from a side view), seemingly ready to slit his throat.
  • Alexander's forces look nervous as thunderous sounds and shaking grounds near them (from elephants that they've never seen).
  • GUNS/WEAPONS
  • Spears/Arrows/Swords/Knives/Other period weapons: Used to threaten, wound or kill others. See "Violence" for details.
  • IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR
  • Phrases: "Bitch," "Bastard," "Damn your (something) soul," "The little whore," "The pig," "You crazed woman," "You son of a dog," "You arrogant brat," "Damn you" and "Whores."
  • All of the fighting and related stunts might be enticing for some kids to imitate.
  • Alexander kisses Olympias on the lips, prompting her to spit in his face.
  • JUMP SCENES
  • None.
  • MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)
  • A mild amount of suspenseful music plays in the film.
  • MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)
  • None.
  • PROFANITY
  • At least 3 damns and 1 ass.
  • SEX/NUDITY
  • A period statue briefly shows male full frontal nudity.
  • We see male nudity in various paintings.
  • Philip, who's drunk, forces himself on Olympias and when she resists, he starts to choke her. That prompts young Alexander to jump on him, but the king throws the boy off and others must then restrain him.
  • We partially see down Olympias' gown (to part of her bare breasts) as she on her hands and knees following Philip trying to force himself on her.
  • A comment is made (following some wrestling practice as boys) that Alexander was never defeated except by Hephaistion's thighs (a wrestling and bisexual reference).
  • A comment is made that men lying together in lust is bad, but men lying together where knowledge is passed is good.
  • We can see Olympias' nipples through one of her gowns.
  • A crudely drawn painting shows some exaggerated female breasts.
  • Philip has divorced Olympias, remarried and fathered a baby. In response, the jealous Olympias states, "Pregnant so soon, the little whore."
  • Olympias references Alexander liking men.
  • King Philip states that the one thing better than victory is the taste of a new woman.
  • Hephaistion kisses Alexander, while a man carries a woman over his shoulder and pats her clothed butt.
  • A monochrome painting shows male full frontal nudity.
  • A statue shows male full frontal nudity.
  • There are some subtle gay references between Alexander and Hephaistion.
  • Ptolemy states that Babylon was a "far easier mistress to enter than to leave" (a double entendre).
  • More period statues shows male full frontal nudity.
  • Upon spotting something akin to a harem in Babylon, one of the soldiers states (about the women, including some belly dancers doing their thing) that there's one for every night of the year. We also see some brief, but passionate kissing and one of the women turns out to be an effeminate looking young man.
  • Hephaistion massages Alexander's shoulders in a somewhat sensual manner.
  • Alexander lists many things about their enemies, including that they "mate in public."
  • Alexander states, "It's you I love, Hephaistion." The two then hug.
  • Roxane is jealous of Alexander's fondness for Hephaistion, prompting Alexander to tell her that there are many different ways to love.
  • After marrying her, Alexander tries to force himself on Roxane who fights back. Some of her clothes are torn off (revealing her bare breasts) and she smacks him. She then grabs a knife and holds it to his neck while straddling him (we see the side of her bare butt from a side view), seemingly ready to slit his throat. He convinces her otherwise and they then kiss with Alexander telling her that she'll have his son. We then see partial and brief views of him on top of her with her legs spread with some movement and heavy breathing sounds. We then see a shadow of the two having missionary style sex (movement) and hear him climax.
  • During that same scene but far away, the movie shows a shot of Olympias with a snake around her neck with its head and neck in an upright position (an obvious phallic symbol on the part of the director).
  • As Alexander climbs into bed, we see his bare butt as well as a partial view of his scrotum (from behind and in the dark). A young male servant is there by the bed, thus possibly implying some sort of later sexual behavior between them.
  • As Alexander's army travels across the land, there's a comment that they're accompanied by many people, including "whores."
  • A comment is made that Alexander's visits to Roxane's tent diminished over the years with her producing no heir.
  • The young gay man from above (who's in little attire) dances with others for Alexander, ending with some strong gay symbolism, such as one man between another's spread legs. After being urged by the drunken crowd, Alexander kisses him and the crowd cheers.
  • Alexander kisses Olympias on the lips, prompting her to spit in his face.
  • An officer talks about all of the men he lost, including young ones who have "never been with a woman."
  • Alexander talks of his men taking mistresses while traveling abroad.
  • SMOKING
  • None.
  • TENSE FAMILY SCENES
  • After some arguments and generally not getting along (including him attacking her in one scene) Philip has divorced Olympias, remarried and fathered a baby. In response, the jealous Olympias states, "Pregnant so soon, the little whore."
  • We hear Ptolemy state that King Philip was murdered.
  • King Philip tells Alexander that if he ever insults him again, he'll kill Alexander.
  • Alexander sees his father be killed in front of him.
  • Alexander yells at his mother that she "birthed me in a sack of hate."
  • Alexander kisses Olympias on the lips, prompting her to spit in his face. Olympias then asks Alexander, "What have I done to make you hate me so?" We then hear Ptolemy say that Alexander never saw his mother again after that.
  • There's talk that Alexander had various extended family members executed.
  • TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT
  • The historical accuracy of or artistic liberties taken with the true story.
  • Bisexuality.
  • The comment that all men reach and fail in their quest for success.
  • The comment that snakes are like people, in that you love, feed and nurture them, but they still turn on you.
  • A comment is made that men lying together in lust is bad, but men lying together where knowledge is passed is good.
  • The comment that it's never easy to escape your mother and that one should beware women, as they're more dangerous than men.
  • The characters are polytheistic and mention various gods.
  • The comment that a king isn't born, but rather is made.
  • The comment that if you conquer your fear, you'll conquer death.
  • The comment that in the end, all that matters is what you've done in your life.
  • Some of Alexander's men have contempt for people from other lands. He does as well (for invading and killing them), but thinks he's doing them good by incorporating them into his empire.
  • Military expeditions and the toll it takes on soldiers.
  • Alexander talks of his men taking mistresses while traveling abroad.
  • We hear that Alexander took two more wives.
  • VIOLENCE
  • Philip, who's drunk, forces himself on Olympias and when she resists, he starts to choke her. That prompts young Alexander to jump on him, but the king throws the boy off and others must then restrain him.
  • Alexander throws a goblet at a man he doesn't care for, resulting in some brief struggling.
  • As part of a pre-battle ceremony, Alexander slices an ox's neck while sacrificing it. We don't see the actual cutting, but do see a lot of its blood on Alexander and then later its bloody entrails on a table.
  • A long battle scene featuring soldiers from opposing sides clashing, fighting, injuring and kill their opponents. We see arrows fired and landing in many (with some brief bloody results); spikes on spinning chariot wheels ripping through some soldiers (briefly seen but with some quick shots of lots of blood), some men in a chariot flying through the air when it comes to a sudden stop; spears thrown or run through various soldiers (with bloody results), a sword is run through a person's neck; an arm is cut off, an upper thigh is badly cut; and others are stabbed, chopped and otherwise struck by swords and other period weapons (with blood gushing, squirting or running out from the various wounds).
  • A badly wounded man is put out of his misery in a mercy killing where a spike is knocked into his neck, killing him.
  • We briefly see two men fighting while surrounded by cheering spectators.
  • One man punches another and we briefly see some struggling among others.
  • Alexander pushes one of his men up against a wall and holds him by the face.
  • After marrying her, Alexander tries to force himself on Roxane who fights back. Some of her clothes are torn off (revealing her bare breasts) and she smacks him. She then grabs a knife and holds it to his neck while straddling him (we see the side of her bare butt from a side view), seemingly ready to slit his throat. He convinces her otherwise and the scene then turns strictly sexual in nature.
  • A spear pierces a conspirator's torso while he's tied up (with some bloody results).
  • We briefly see some other conspirators being stabbed.
  • Some soldiers fire arrows into at least two monkeys in some trees, causing them to fall out (the soldiers thought they were small hairy men).
  • A soldier is hit by lightning and falls to the ground.
  • A soldier is bit by a snake, but we don't see the impact.
  • An officer publicly confronts and questions Alexander's motives and plans, leading to a testy argument between the two. Alexander has finally had enough and runs his officer through with his sword, killing him (with bloody results out from the back where we see the blade come through).
  • A man kisses King Philip on the mouth (presumably as an insult like the following), spits in his face and then stabs and mortally wounds him.
  • Men chase down an assassin and then repeatedly jab their spears into him on the ground (we see the motion, but not the impact).
  • Alexander briefly thrashes things in a room while angry, prompting Olympias to slap him to make him regain his composure.
  • There's some struggling and something (perhaps a severed head) hits Alexander.
  • An arrow is fired into a person who falls from his horse.
  • Alexander's forces battle opponents on the ground and who are riding elephants that crash through Alexander's lines, killing or knocking many aside. Lots of hand to hand fighting also occurs, while we briefly see a tusk go through a person, while a different elephant tosses another person aside. Elephants are stabbed (with bloody results), while an elephant steps down on a person, crushing them (no impact). Alexander then rides into the opposing forces, slashing and stabbing many (little actual impact is seen, but there is some blood).
  • We see arrows sticking out of a horse, with another slicing through its skin (with blood) and then a large spear hitting it in the chest. An arrow also hits its rider, knocking him to the ground. More such fighting occurs, with one person hit in the thigh (with lots of bleeding), an elephant knocks a guy from his ride and another elephant has part of its trunk nearly sliced off (briefly seen, but with bloody results).
  • It's implied that Roxane poisoned another person who dies. In turn and in a rage, Alexander grabs her by the throat and has to be pulled away, although he still manages to throw or knock her to the floor.



  • Reviewed November 19, 2004 / Posted November 24, 2004

    Other new and recent reviews include:

    [Around the World in 80 Days] [Family Camp] [Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]

    Privacy Statement and Terms of Use and Disclaimer
    By entering this site you acknowledge to having read and agreed to the above conditions.

    All Rights Reserved,
    ©1996-2022 Screen It, Inc.