From imdb.com
QUOTE |
It is the time of the Crusades during the Dark Ages - the world shaping 200-year collision between Europe and the East. A blacksmith named Balian has lost his family and nearly his faith. The religious wars raging in the far-off Holy Land seem remote to him, yet he is pulled into that immense drama. Amid the pageantry and intrigues of medieval Jerusalem he falls in love, grows into a leader, and ultimately uses all his courage and skill to defend the city against staggering odds. |
It seems the critics disdain it. From the reviews and commentary I've read, it is politically in-correct... touted as bland, no depth, a miss mash of connected scenes with no coherence... etc.
I saw it. I liked it. It spells out in imagry what blind faith and extreme extrapolation of religion can do in terms of denial of reality... and with this denial, what destruction of lives can result from it.
It also pointed out to me in repeated vignettes that in the soul of imperfect men that it is what is 'here (man points to the head) and here (pointing to the heart) that counts with God and not that symbols we paint on our tunics.'
The bloodletting was there... but I found the core of the message of the film to be right-on in terms of clear conscience and integrity as truly being where the kingdom of heaven is to be found.
I also gleaned the message that if our ego attachments to a religion, institution, or men displaces the honesty and integrity that is required, then we have truly been deceived by the denial of the idolatry we have created unto ourselves.
The 'R' rating was for the violence... but I heard no cursing. What I thought was going to be a gatuitous sex scene, played to intent, then abruptly cut to another unrelated scene as if edited for TV.
When looking at the film... the stark reality and surface depictions can be misinterpreted distractions to what I feel is the real message of the film... which I feel many of these critics have missed... OR have willfully dismissed because they have issues they don't want to deal with. A judgement call on my part? Yes... and that is that. I recommend the film.
Steve
I enjoyed this movie. If you liked 'Brave Heart' then you will like this one. What SteveB wrote above is fairly accurate too. I found it odd that the blacksmith was willing to sleep in adultery, but not kill her husband because he would lose his soul, it makes you wonder how he judge morality. Ever notice how badly the English are portrayed in film for their love of war?
Rate: 1
Great costumes, pretty decent acting but very uninvolved movie to the point of tirening. I find the movie was pretty okay but the story line did not convinced me fully. What was Orland Bloom doing there anyway?. I mean he is a good actor but I do not see him really acting in this type of roles. You have this guy going to Jerusalem and see a distress between Christians and Muslims, yet not even mention of Jews?. The film did not accomplish the purpose of fully involved me and being attach to the characters, I did not feel anything for them. No love, no sorry, no empathy, anything and at the end, I end up falling asleep for the same reason. No conection whatsoever with the roles. It's pity because it could have been a much better film.
1
Well, I do agree that some of the story line wasn't that great, but a 'just ok' rating seems a bit harsh to me. Although I should not be surprised since you fell asleep at the end . I mean we are talking about a production that cost millions and needed 1000s of people. I think if this was shown in the 1950s then it would be equal to Star Wars, but we are too spoilt now with all the grandeur that Hollywood provides.
By the way, they have a great poster for the movie:
[movie] Kingdom Of Heaven (Hover)
QUOTE |
but a 'just ok' rating seems a bit harsh to me |
QUOTE |
I mean we are talking about a production that cost millions and needed 1000s of people |
Well maybe you are looking for something that is not really accentuated because the storyline's focus is on the Blacksmith and not really making history connect.
There are some parts of the movie that I would like comments on:
1. The woman who acted as the princess of Jerusalem, didn't she have just a tad too much eyeliner on or was it just me? I wonder if they were hoping for a gothic look. She also has an extremely small nose.
2. The princess of Jerusalem's husband seemed to almost 'worship' the red bearded guy that was part of his army, I did not understand the reason for it, was he gay or something?
For this movie, I'm on Sol's side ... I also fell asleep. I think the movie has a weak story, the acting was so-so and the action just didn't "caught" me. I found it boring ... or maybe I wasn't in the mood to see this kind of movie. Since I haven't seen it all, I can't rate it.
Offtopic but, I can't believe I even bought the DVD (at the suggestion of a "friend"). |