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 "Kingdom of Heaven" Chris' Review: The Crusades were all about Christians killing Muslims and taking their land. I'm oversimplifying, but that's really the jist of it. So who in their right mind, during this particular time in history, would think that it's a good idea to make a movie about the Crusades? If you try and tell it from the Muslim point of view, claiming the Catholic zealots are evil, then you get labeled anti-Christian. If you tell it like it was, you get accused of fueling anti-Muslim sentiment, which just can't be good in today's political climate. If you try and make a movie where you split the difference and try to white-wash as much as you can, you get Kingdom of Heaven. Don't worry, I'm not going to rag on the whole film. It entertained me. It ran a little long, I started to get a bit fidgety, but I still enjoyed myself. The battle scenes were some of the best I've seen, yet. I really enjoy epics. I love the big battle scenes and all the imagery, and Kingdom of Heaven delivers some of the most realistic to date. The visuals and cinematography are just as jaw dropping as Gladiator or at least as good as any comparable epic. It's one of those movies where you can take just about any frame and make a poster out of it. I also really felt the strife between the religious groups and the insanity that surrounded them as they vyed for the "Holy Land." Unfortunately, the direction can only do so much when the lead is a hack and the script is a lost cause. First, I have to ask the question that is on everyone's mind... who told pretty boy, Orlando Bloom, that he could act? Just because he muddled his way through the Lord of the Rings Trilogy does not mean that he has anything to offer the rest of Hollywood. I haven't seen a realistic emotion out of him in any movie that I've seen him in. He always has this brooding sexy look, deep and thoughtful, the thing that plays well to the 16-30-somthing female demographic. There isn't anything else behind that, though. Ridley Scott's last big epic had Russell Crowe to play the lead and it worked. Bloom is no Crowe. Please, someone wise up and let Orlando know that he's not a strong enough character to carry all these epics he keeps signing on to. He could play a decent supporting character... maybe... on a good day... But he is NOT a leading man. Then there is Liam Neeson playing, once again, the part of the mentor. For crying out loud, we've seen enough of that. How many movies do we have to see him in as the battle weary sage who teaches his protoge how to fight with a sword (or a light saber?) Begrudgingly, I'll admit that he still plays the part well and is one of the highlights of the film. Another highlight would be the uncredited Edward Norton playing the part of the leprosy ridden king. It's strange how much emotion and depth someone can evoke through a metal mask... then again he is playing against Orlando. I shouldn't place all the blame on Orlando. The script has some significant problems. Not since Anakin Skywalker has there been worse dialogue to contend with. In nearly every scene there is some profound moment with some inspiring words of wisdom or moral ethic and they're all delivered so haughtily that you have trouble staying with the movie. Not to mention, Orlando's character is constantly being tested. At one point he is offered the kingdom and the woman he loves... but at the expense of his nemisis. He declines on "moral" grounds, and then jumps into bed with the woman and commits adultery. Not to mention that by declining the throne, he misses his chance to avert a slaughter of his people, so you end up with no sympathy for the schmuck. Although it would seem that he is standing his moral ground, he just ends up looking like a stubborn hypocrite. In the end, although the movie can't decide who's side it's on, it does stay steadfast in one brave stance of anti-organized religion. All the way through it, the zealots of both sides are made to look like idiots while the common-sense individual is lauded with honor. It's still a good moral in my eyes. I give it 3 thumbs down. Saved by that moral and some amazing visuals from being a complete waste.   Jim's Review: BackHome - Info - Reviews - Map - Message Board - Photo Album |
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