Purely Joyful Movie!

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Don't Believe the Hype

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The Good: Some nice visuals of Saladin's siege of Jerusalem. A likeable hero-figure. Some attempt (for a typical Hollywood Product) at period authenticity. In the end, if you understand, the message of the film is correct.The Bad: Makes the Crusades into a soap opera. They were much more complex than that. Most of the Crusaders who were nobles were in it for riches and lands to conquer. They were far tougher and better warriors than is shown in the film. The poor were in it for salvation. The whole area had changed hands every 500 years previously, so anyone claiming to be the 'rightful owner' was in jeopardy. The Muslims were just the latest tide that had come in. Now the Crusaders wanted some of the action. Kingdom of Heaven is an action movie at the beginning and the end, with the large middle section a lot of talking in dark rooms. The inevitable story of a commoner who becomes a prince and of course gets the girl who is a princess is shallow. The plot seems borrowed from Gladiator, and a few other classics.

The cinematography and production design are the best thing about this film. It brings you into that world and compells you to stay there. Eva Greene and Jeremy Irons stands out among the actors giving more than those characters offer. But there is a whole lot that seems to be missing something to be making it really good. The director's cut is supposed to be the best version but the mise-en-scene is so off at times and the music felt mudplaced. Bloom was kind if disappointing yet overall it was ok.

This film, although the acting is excellent, pushes the politically correct narrative of nasty bloodthirsty Christian armies persecuting peace loving innocent moslems during the crusades. It does nothing to address the fact that the crusades were a response to moslem aggression, warmongering and expansion. A shame, and tells us something about the makers of the film, and should surely make us suspicious of the, and their motives. Are they just ignorant? Or do they have another motive in pushing this narrative? David Thewlis is excellent as expected, as is Neeson and bloom, but their going along tosh makes us mere mortals wonder just how out of touch with reality they are. I suggest another film, around the same subject at the same time and in the same place, but from a different perspective. It won't happen, and you know it won't, because nobody has the balls to tell the truth and make it.

Most satisfying story-telling of a high order presented with class, elegance and professionalism making for excellent viewing while one is glued to the screen. The lead actors play their parts well and the supporting cast along with the many extras go into it so that we would buy the story as presented. The Director gets a serious nod here as this was a film done on epic proportions and grandeur. No easy shoot and a fine addition to Ridley Scotts resume. Overall very impressive and I have seen it three times each time keeping me entertained. There is a directors cut that is worth purchasing for your library that includes quite a bit of footage not seen in the original and adds depth and meaning to movie at large. Location shoots were interesting to watch and I like the little slice of history they carved out here. Saladin is not talked about enough as he was a major player back then in what took place as was King Richard the lion heart and many others. The Christianity presented in this movie was raw, edgy and belligerent something that needs to be told. People forget that the changes Christ talked about come from the realms of Spirit and Truth and not from this world. The Kingdom of Heaven is within you and it will make you in HIS image if activated and pursued. We see otherwise here. Good movie to have a full meal while watching and a tasty drink with snack on standby as it is 2.5 hours and longer for the special cut. Please enjoy this little gem and may it affect you for the better.