The film is heavily indebted to Mary Renault's Fire from Heaven and The Persian Boy, and anyone interested would do better to read those.

My Movie Rating: 5 / 10

What a disaster. Oliver Stone has outdone himself again and turned the story of Alexander the Great into a tiresome two-hour long soap opera which looks like a gay porno. Colin Farrell's acting is so bad that you forget to ask why the Macedonians all talk with Scottish accents. Alexander's 'inspiring' speech to his men near the end of the film is the only high point. Farrell's overacting in this scene will make you laugh all your frustrations away!

My Movie Rating: 1 / 10

This is what I call a semi-boy movie. That is because the boy actor only appears at the beginning of the film usually playing the main character as a child. That is why I cannot award it any more than half the stars for Connor Paolo's wonderful performance as the young Alexander. Technical flaw: Boys wrestling in ancient Greece fought naked ... god forbid such things should be shown on a cinema screen. Did boys at that time attend school in white togas and sandals? Who knows? Great school uniform if they did. Connor had his hair dyed blond I think but looked most attractive on screen.

My Movie Rating: 5 / 10

A masterpiece! I love this movie. It has touched me. Alexander's dreams and his determination never to give up on them. His dear commitment to Hephaistion, his relation to Bucephalos, and his bold ambitions to reach the end of the world, all of that appeals to me. Whenever I look into Colin's eyes, I see the boy who wanted to find the land where Heracles traveled to. I see the boy who tamed the black stallion and who rode towards the sun. I see the boy who talked to Aristotle about ruling the world. I see the boy who holds his father's hand, staring at the cave paintings, shivering in veneration. So... I see Connor Paolo all the time. That's what makes this movie so special to me. I see the overall character of Alexander in his eyes, which makes me feel I know him. The courage to fight for his dreams, the ambition never to give up, the endurance to take a stand and conquer. The ancient leader is portrayed decently and true to history, with all his failures and flaws, but with such power and credibility that make my eyes wet whenever he approaches the war elephants and whispers into Bucephalos' ears "You and I again, for the last time." I see young Alexander again, when he saved the stallion's life. Connor Paolo is outstanding, really. I'm a fan of his since this movie.

My Movie Rating: 9 / 10

I liked it very much, even apart from the early boy scenes. There are flaws, but I can't honestly be harsh on a movie that moved me so much. Connor Paolo is wonderful in the first part of the film and the other boys are very appealing, if only briefly seen. The best match-up in looks between boy actor and adult actor playing the same character that I have ever seen. Colin Farrell reminded me of young Connor and that was a very nice experience.

My Movie Rating: 9 / 10