Kingdom of Heaven
I couldn't wait to see this movie. I'd been waiting since last August for it to come out, and I finally got my chance on Friday. I think it's safe to say that it would have been virtually impossible for it to have lived up to my expectations, but it was still an enjoyable film.That said, I am getting a little tired of the "formula". When Liam Neeson shows up at Orlando Bloom's blacksmith shop in the opening scene, and Bloom turns down the opportunity to join him on crusade, we all know he's going to end up going. We also already know that he's going do be a "diamond in the rough", a kid who's been training on his sword in his spare time since age 3 and just needs an expert swordmaster (hey! how about Liam Neeson?) to show him how to do it just right.
Given that this movie is based on an actual Crusade, if any of you ever took Southward's class, you'll know the outcome of the battle for Jerusalem before it occurs. But that does not make the battle scene itself less enjoyable. I guess that is probably why I went to see the movie. I can't help but enjoy massive CGI armies attacking fortified cities and using all of that cool old war stuff, like trebuchets and ballistas. This movie does not disappoint in that department.
Another thing that I thought the film did well was not portray one side (Christian vs. Muslim) as better or worse than the other. A case could be made for both sides as to which was the wrong one, and the movie stays true to that, not taking a side.
Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, although not without its drawbacks. It is what it is, a summer blockbuster, directed by the guy who brings you summer blockbusters.
posted by Brad @ 11:42 AM
11 Comments:
I still can't really consider Ridley Scott to be a blockbuster director. His films, yes, tend to delve into science-fiction and war-like subjects that tend to get mass appeal, but his directorial execution is different from most of this ilk.
On a side note, my most anticipated film for the summer is "War of the Worlds" So far, I like the casting choices, I like a lot of the music I've heard (post-modern electro-new age fusion,) and I like that it's coming off of an incredibly great film, "Minority Report," (Spielberg, Cruise)...it has great potential.
I'm also just a big sci-fi film fan.
This article says lots of history professors are complaining about the movie as pandering to Muslims:
http://washingtontimes.com/world/20040117-112843-8485r.htm
I could understand Hollywood distorting history for a more "engaging and suspenseful" film, but this is utter nonsense. Then again, it is Hollywood.
Brad, what do you think of the accusations in the above article, such as "Osama bin Laden's version of history"?
Chris, your link got cut off and I can't see past the "84". What is after that? I'd like to read the article.
Steve, I have seen Gladiator, Black Hawk Down and Kingdom of Heaven by Ridley Scott (and portions of Alien when its on TV), and they all seem to be of the blockbuster ilk to me. Don't get me wrong, I really liked all three of those movies.
I think we're just not defining what I really consider "blockbuster" material to be.
Generally, stupid, watered-down, formulaic, predictable filler.
Ridley Scott's movies are pretty smart. Alien, Blade Runner, Matchstick Men, being my favorites.
Blade Runner and Matchstick Men are two movies that I am anxiously awaiting to come up on my netflix account.
By the way, does this mean that you're willing to admit that "Gladiator" wasn't as bad as you have made it out to be?
I just wasn't into it, like most historical epics.
Fred, good to hear from you again. Where have you been? Are you going to respond to my questions on the female priesthood?
For the record, I'm still interested in seeing the movie, and I also don't have a strong stance against it. I won't until I've either seen it or heard more about it.
Besides, what's wrong with asking some honest questions about the film to Brad? I want to know if he felt the same way at all, or if this is merely academic people getting worked up over nothing. And as far as I know, these aren't Catholics defending this. The Washington Times article interviews a number of professors, none of whom's religion is named.
And lastly, what's wrong with wanting to defend one's religion? You sound as though this is some terrible thing to do. What gives? I just want the truth to be known Fred, that's all. Don't you?
Brad, the rest of the html code is "85r.htm" (though I think you can simply drag over to highlight it all).
Ok, thank you Chris for providing the additional portion of the link so I could read that article.
To respond to the points in the article, I first have to mention that this article was published one week after filming had commenced, so the British professor quoted certainly had not seen the final product.
Yes, the movie does show Guy and the Knights Templar as repeatedly committing atrocities in order to provoke Saladin and the Muslims to fight. They are depicted in the movie as feeling superior and as history accurately shows, they were not.
The movie does also show Orlando Bloom's character as someone acting as a unifying force, someone who believed that all religions could leave peacefully in Jerusalem, as they had for the twenty years leading up to the events depicted in the film.
I don't think that the film glorifies the Arabs as much as it villifies Guy and the Knights Templar. The Arabs are simply the subject of atrocities in the early stages and the army that is victorious at the end, but more of the conflict in the film is between Orlando Bloom and the Guy character.
The problem is, this is depicting events that occurred in the 1180's, and we don't really know for sure what happened. Maybe the Knights Templar were bullies intent on fighting Arabs, maybe they weren't. But I doubt we'll find out. One thing is for sure though, this is certainly NOT going to be some sort of fundie Islam propaganda piece, I think that's pretty absurd.
Hope that helps answer your questions!
That does help Brad. Thanks!
Some response thoughts/questions...
I agree that it won't be a "fundie Islam propaganda piece". Still, a gengeral trend in much of our culture these days has been to look for only the good in Islam. Does this film pander to that?
Basically, I've read that the movie comes off anti-clerical and anti-religious (to Islam somewhat, and moreso to Christianity). The movie tried to have some thoughtful and meaningful exchanges, but overall gave a superficial treatment of BOTH Christianity AND Islam. This is what historians are criticizing I think.
Lastly, in my search for more on this film (that I honestly don't care about THAT much, but still for some reason feel compelled to look into), I found this: The film is intended to relate to current events today. Riddley Scott said in an interview, "One of the lessons of the film for today is that we don't learn anything from history; we just keep doing the same things over and over." Hmmm...what do you think Mr. Scott thinks of the United States being involved in the Middle East.
Still, I plan on seeing the movie eventually. What can I say? The visual images look pretty stunning at times...
Honestly, I think the film is rather neutral towards Islam and possibly a little negative on some of the main Christian characters and the Knights Templar. As far as Scott's comments, I think his main point is that here, way back in the mid-1100's, we had people fighting over the Holy Land. They managed to come to a peace that apparently lasted around 100 years, where Christian, Jew and Muslim all lived together peacefully. Then, the sides got edgy and started fighting over it again. I think he's trying to say, we obviously aren't looking back at history well enough to realize that it is possible to peacefully co-exist in the Holy Land; we're still killing each other over it. I don't think he's really thinking too much about the US' involvement, other than maybe its just one more side that should lay down its weapons and allow the people there to live in peace.
But don't take my word for it, see it for yourself!
I definitely plan to see it...eventually.
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