Review of Ironclad (2011) by Jackson N — 21 Jan 2012

This is a mess of a movie. Basically it's about how a ragtag group of men led by a Templar Knight and a Baron fight against King John's Danish army after he reneges of the terms of the Magna Carta.

It's fantastic if you love LOTS of blood and dismemberment and have no interest in historical accuracy. Too much shaky cam and ADD editing (especially in the fight sequences) is not a substitute for a well thought out action sequence or direction for that matter.

And the score by Lorne Balfe has too much of that wordless, ethnic sounding wailing that has become de rigueur for anything historical. A good cast is really wasted and it's a shame James Purefoy (here as the Templar Knight and lead of the film) hasn't gotten the breakout film he deserves.

Paul Giamatti as King John basically struts around and chews up the scenery. It's like he's gone to the Al Pacino school of overacting here.