Every Oliver Stone Movie Ranked Worst To Best

Back in 2000, Ridley Scott's Gladiator was released to positive reception and commercial success. It ended up crafting a definitive formula for all historical efforts to follow in the high-budget blockbuster scene. Long length, an all-star cast and large-scale production were the key ingredients to use.

In the first half of that decade, several imitators came and went including Wolfgang Peterson's Troy in 2004. That same year, Stone decided he would have a crack at it and created Alexander. Based on the famous Greek general who conquered much of the known world, the film looked to join the pantheon of the historical epic.

Unfortunately, it was not to be as Alexander was struck down by a bland narrative that dedicated too much of its bloated run-time to characters talking and discussing their situations. It's talented cast including Colin Farrel, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins and Rosario Dawson was wasted on such a third-rate production. It ended up being a box office bomb for Stone, barely managing to break its 155 million dollar budget.

A small minority may claim the director's cut and ultimate cut fare far better, but there's no denying how much of a misfire Alexander was. Interested in adapting history he may be, but Oliver Stone's other efforts in this field have proven far better.