Gary D
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Notice: This film is a historical epic. This film is directed by Ridley Scott. But it is not Gladiator. Its not in the same league, it doesn't carry the emotional impact or resonance of the Roman Epic. Nor does it have screen dominating, career defining performance from its leading man. Right, now thats out the way we can talk about Kingdom Of Heaven in its own right.
I pressed play on this disc and expected to be depressed beyond belief, this was a film with a "whiff" about it. A "whiff" that suggested this was a poor effort.
Orlando Bloom plays Balian a blacksmith come Noble who travels to the holy land to absolve both his and his dead wife's sins at the time of the Crusades. This is another of those films that wants to wrap a story around historical events - in this case the fall of Jerusalem to Saladin at the turn of the 13th Century.
The story gets a tad confused at times but for the most part it skips along at a nice pace. The visuals form a collection of beautfully framed vistas to show off whatever display your watching it on. The script is ok, without getting overly sentimental. The SFX are superb without being spectacular. Although post "Rings", any seige is going to look like a fight down the chippy. The DTS soundtrack is pretty good but i haven't had chance to listen at reference yet. But at neigbour friendly volumes it was great.
it has it flaws confused ploting, a couple of panto villians in prominant roles and Orlando is both good and bad.
Orlando looks good and i have to say this is his best performance to date. Now i know that doesn't say much but you never know the boy may be an actor one day i think he is too lightweight for the role overall. But at times he almost pulls it off - at one point there was some acting going on the supporting cast is fine with no one letting the side down althougth Brendan Gleeson's Reynald is very "boo hiss boo"
I have to say that i really quite enjoyed it, having been sorely disappointed by another wanna be epic earlier this year *cough* so this was a pleasant surprise. It will find its way into the collection when it hits the offers in three months.
an entertaining 7 out of 10
Gary
I pressed play on this disc and expected to be depressed beyond belief, this was a film with a "whiff" about it. A "whiff" that suggested this was a poor effort.
Orlando Bloom plays Balian a blacksmith come Noble who travels to the holy land to absolve both his and his dead wife's sins at the time of the Crusades. This is another of those films that wants to wrap a story around historical events - in this case the fall of Jerusalem to Saladin at the turn of the 13th Century.
The story gets a tad confused at times but for the most part it skips along at a nice pace. The visuals form a collection of beautfully framed vistas to show off whatever display your watching it on. The script is ok, without getting overly sentimental. The SFX are superb without being spectacular. Although post "Rings", any seige is going to look like a fight down the chippy. The DTS soundtrack is pretty good but i haven't had chance to listen at reference yet. But at neigbour friendly volumes it was great.
it has it flaws confused ploting, a couple of panto villians in prominant roles and Orlando is both good and bad.
Orlando looks good and i have to say this is his best performance to date. Now i know that doesn't say much but you never know the boy may be an actor one day i think he is too lightweight for the role overall. But at times he almost pulls it off - at one point there was some acting going on the supporting cast is fine with no one letting the side down althougth Brendan Gleeson's Reynald is very "boo hiss boo"
I have to say that i really quite enjoyed it, having been sorely disappointed by another wanna be epic earlier this year *cough* so this was a pleasant surprise. It will find its way into the collection when it hits the offers in three months.
an entertaining 7 out of 10
Gary