KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Director: Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, Thelma and Louise)
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, more

When a director comes up with an epic about the crusades in today's political climate, and when that director is following such successful movies as Gladiator, Hannibal, and Matchstick Men, I wonder if that director is not making a pitch for greatness. After seeing the film itself, I think that that director might indeed have been firing one in there. Unfortunately, he missed just outside of the strike zone. Don't get me wrong; this was a fine film - quite good in some ways. There were operatic visuals and epic sieges, and honor and oaths and respected enemies. The problem was that none of it quite worked. Not one bit of it really failed, but not one bit of it truly succeeded, either. This film was enjoyable, and I liked it, but it will win no awards. The most significant problem was the star himself, Orlando Bloom. He tried to be stoic and honorable, but it came across as brooding and boring. After seeing this young man in a few blockbusters so far, I'm more and more convinced that he just doesn't have what it takes to be a leading man.

Standouts: Epic visuals, and epic themes, and epic battles.
Blowouts: Orlando Bloom.

Grade: B+