Kingdom of Heaven
In an effort to balance out the Star Wars of my life, I decided to give "Kingdom of Heaven" a chance. I was excited about this movie a few months ago since it has Orlando Bloom Liam Neeson and Alexander Siddiq (Dr. Bashier of DS9) all in the movie. Visually, Ridley Scott makes good films and usually maintains audience interest even when the running time is over 2:30. With all the negative reviews that came out prior to the film's release, I had all but given up on even seeing this movie.
That was then and now I've paid my $5.00. "Kingdom of Heaven" is a super slow-paced movie, especially after seeing Star Wars. There are long stretches where we just watch Orlando Bloom wander around and no one speaks. We have the same war visuals that were used more successfully in "Gladiator." The central character just exists without purpose and wanders where people tell him to go. It's good to know that any farmer/blacksmith is smarter than the king and can lead thousands of people to defend a city.
But if you can ignore all that and the fact that history is somewhat revised as usual, it's not too bad. Sure the couple a few rows over had trouble getting it and the girlfriend has to explain the entire movie to her boyfriend in quiet whispers. On-screen: we watch Orlando Bloom walk into a church. Sidebar: "He's walking into a church." That relationship has to be doomed!
Political statements were made without being made. Everyone is right or wrong depending on your point of view. Good people see that. Bad people get their heads chopped off. Gee, you'd think I was watching "Revenge of the Sith." Yoda should have advised the Crusaders. Yoda knows all. Yoda rocks.
Sorry, I digress.
"Kingdom of Heaven" is the movie where you have to be willing to invest your time and accept it for what it is. An attempt to recreate the success of "Gladiator." Forget having that goal met and forget even trying to figure out what the character's names are, and you'll be fine with the movie. Or, you could forget even going to see it and probably be better off.
That was then and now I've paid my $5.00. "Kingdom of Heaven" is a super slow-paced movie, especially after seeing Star Wars. There are long stretches where we just watch Orlando Bloom wander around and no one speaks. We have the same war visuals that were used more successfully in "Gladiator." The central character just exists without purpose and wanders where people tell him to go. It's good to know that any farmer/blacksmith is smarter than the king and can lead thousands of people to defend a city.
But if you can ignore all that and the fact that history is somewhat revised as usual, it's not too bad. Sure the couple a few rows over had trouble getting it and the girlfriend has to explain the entire movie to her boyfriend in quiet whispers. On-screen: we watch Orlando Bloom walk into a church. Sidebar: "He's walking into a church." That relationship has to be doomed!
Political statements were made without being made. Everyone is right or wrong depending on your point of view. Good people see that. Bad people get their heads chopped off. Gee, you'd think I was watching "Revenge of the Sith." Yoda should have advised the Crusaders. Yoda knows all. Yoda rocks.
Sorry, I digress.
"Kingdom of Heaven" is the movie where you have to be willing to invest your time and accept it for what it is. An attempt to recreate the success of "Gladiator." Forget having that goal met and forget even trying to figure out what the character's names are, and you'll be fine with the movie. Or, you could forget even going to see it and probably be better off.
Comments
Post a Comment