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Historical epics have fallen on dark times. Recent lavish, pricey spectacles such as "The Alamo," "Alexander" and "Troy" have been beset by critical brickbats and largely ignored by audiences. British director Ridley Scott, who revived the genre with his Oscar-winning 2000 film Gladiator, now finds himself charged with redeeming it. Unfortunately, his 12th-century Crusades epic, "Kingdom of Heaven," falls short of the task. The well-made film is visually spectacular, as well as historically sound, but its story isn't fully involving. While "Kingdom of Heaven" easily surpasses any of last year's epics, it's no classic, like "Gladiator." Read the full review
During the Crusades of the 12th Century, a young blacksmith in Jerusalem rises to protect his people from foreign invaders.
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Eva Green, Martin Hancock, Michael Sheen, Nathalie Cox
Run time: 145 minutes
Release date: May 6, 2005
Rating: R for strong violence and epic warfare.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: C
"Without his 'The Lord of the Rings' elf ears, Bloom wilts."
Austin American-Statesman: 2 of 5 stars
"It remains up in the air if Bloom's stiff, three-expression performance is actually acting. He provides the skin and bones to the role, but the filmmakers have abandoned him on the meat part. He is a living hero in concept only. "
Dayton Daily News: B-
"'Kingdom of Heaven' is good enough to keep the genre afloat, but it's not the salvation for which Hollywood hoped."
Middletown Journal: C+
"... spends so much time weaving its historical tapestry, it suffers from dull, talky patches and gives the human element short shrift."
The Palm Beach Post: B
"Bloom seems a little charisma-challenged, but he gives an earnest performance that eventually wins us over."
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