Review of Kingdom of Heaven (2005) by Sean K — 03 Mar 2011

Kingdom of Heaven will come to be compared to Gladiator in more ways than one (especially with it's tag line and main draw being 'from the director of...'). Yet, I found the film to be very contrasting with the film.

It's just as epic, the cinematography is matched, the hero is well found, and other accentricities can be drawn. Yet, Kingdom of Heaven seems to be a more weighty film as it tackels the Crusades and also weaves a compelling story of a man in search of his destiny without wretchin it's source material (Pear Harbor).

The film weighs out the violence also, as Gladiatior seemed to focus a bit too much in areas. I found Bloom's performance to be acceptable and believable, but no Maximus by any means. Liam Neeson does a very good job in the film (for as long as he is seen anyways) and I also found Eva Green's performance to be very well done too, bringing a certain sensuality to her role that many films lack.

But, in the end, Edward Norton takes the cake as the Leper and portrays it with shocking grace. The film is, to me, better than Gladiator but not by a whole lot. The film is a gritty portrayal of the Crusades and will surely keep those (willing to sit past the first 30 minutes) intertwined with it's engaging characters.

The action is paced out well but, I found Bloom's transformation from Widowed blacksmith, to new found apprentice, to journeying knight, to land ruling peasant, to savior of Jerusalem all to pass by very fast.

If I had to complain about anything, it would be that the movie's running time was a little too short (even at 141 min.) to hold the material. With that said, if you want the definitive version go out and find the Director's Cut.

Overall I found the movie to be a very engaging and epic adventure story that intertwines history with fiction in such bravura that it should come as a noted film worth looking into for other directors looking to take up the difficult task.

Scott can be a flawed director at times, but he can also be quite a masterful one when he wields the camera and Kingdom of Heaven is of no exception. I would reccommend the film to anyone looking for an epic adventure story full of drama and entertainment.

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