Review of Nomad (2007) by Matthew Franklin C — 17 Jun 2009

Ð?Ó©Ñ?пендÑ?леÑ? (The Nomad), a 2005 movie about Kazakhstan's founding father, Ã?bilmansür 'Abylai' Khan (Kuno Becker). The story itself was kind of derivative - pretty much an archetypical hero myth complete with a wise Obi-Wan like mentor (Jason Scott Lee as Oraz) and many profound doings about Mansür's charmed birth (as a descendant of Jenghis Khan), who turns out to be The One who unites the bickering tribes of Kazakhstan, drives out the Züngars, gets the girl (Gauhar, played by Ayanat Yesmagambetova), &c.

&c, but it was executed well. Sometimes the writing was worthy of an eyeroll or two - for example when Gauhar rides off by herself seemingly for no other reason than to be captured by the top Züngar general.

Also, I got the feeling the SFX director watched The Matrix once too often (for example, the scene where Mansür practically does a Neo-style bullet time dodge on horseback of five arrows fired at him).

But the rest of it was done really, really well, with lots of colourful costumes and kick-arse fight scenes. The special effects were good, the horses were awesome, the hats were even more awesome and the scenery was drop-dead gorgeous.

The acting was pretty good for the most part - though my favourite character was by far and away Oraz.