OUR TAKE: For effects and spectacle, a clear must see, for fun, a good see

LOGLINE: A guilt-ridden blacksmith is swept into the 12th century crusades by a father he didn’t know, only to become the only hope of Jerusalem.

Premise and Originality: 7 out of 10

Characterization: 8 out of 10

Dialogue: 7 out of 10

Storyline: 8 out of 10

Spectacle and Imagery: 10 out of 10

Reviewing this as the spectacle it was meant to be, this is a near perfect film and a must-see. For those who must drill down to characterization and story line, well, the rating drops to a good see. Why? Because the characters are archetypal – the fool on his journey, portrayed in Balian by Orlando Bloom, the guru/wisdom archetype portrayed in Liam Neeson as Godfrey, and – well, they’re all archetypes. The leper king and the over-the-top Templars are fun, if not credible. However, this is still a must see. It’s just plain good fun, wrapped as only Ridley Scott can. It actually goes a notch above Gladiator to out-spectacle the original modern-day spectacle. It has knights and damsels and great sword fights, scenery that is breathtaking, probably the best computer effects to date and a great range of actors. Perhaps Orlando Bloom’s character is a little flat, although the “bastard blacksmith” was meant to be played as the subtle hero, but every other character is elegantly and memorably portrayed. In particular David Thewlis and Liam Neeson, the whacky Brendan Gleeson as Reynald, Jeremy Irons and a wonderful portrayal by Ghassan Massoud as Saladin. And yes, the credibility is stretched when a blacksmith suddenly becomes the greatest sword fighter of the time. But push these finer points aside and just enjoy. Don’t miss this. This is classic Ridley Scott, the master of the grand spectacle.

Directed: Ridley Scott
Written by: William Monahan
Cast: Orlando Bloom, David Thelis, Liam Neeson, Marton Csokas, Alexander Siddig, Jeremy Irons, Eva Green, Brendan Gleeson