Review of 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) by Jeff H — 10 May 2008

I was kinda expecting more from this film considering that it was directed by Ridley Scott. The cinematography is gorgeous and the Vangelis score is amazing but the storyline defiantly leaves something to be desired.

Gerard Depardieu plays a very french Columbus, a passionate explorer who picks fights with the clergy and makes coy remarks to Queen Isabella of Spain. Dont get me wrong, the acting is descent, its just awkward and unrealistic.

The climax of the film is the voyage and discovery of the new world (covered in about 20 minutes) followed by a petty conflict with a cardboard villain ending in the predictable slaughter of the natives.

All in all, it lacks the epic quality that its trying to get across. Interesting but ultimately forgettable.