Ridley Scott’s greatest films are his period pieces, Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. Gladiator stars Russell Crowe as a vengeful general, bent on killing the emperor of the Roman Empire. Kingdom of Heaven stars Orlando Bloom about a blacksmith who looks for redemption in Jerusalem where he is entangled in the dispute between the Muslims and Christians. However, in this review, I will be picturing the Director's Cut, not the Theatrical because the Extended is told better and acts like an epic film rather than masquerading as one.
Where both of these films succeed are in the cinematography and costume design. The costume designer of both these films, Janty Yates, gives a tremendous ensemble of costumes that are both realistic and beautiful. The director of photography, John Mathieson, has worked on almost every Scott film. The landscape shots, just like in Robin Hood, are what Mathieson and Ridley Scott are famous for.
But these films do differ in two ways: the music and acting. Though many believe Gladiator to have a great score, it sounds too much like Hans Zimmer, Lisa Gerrard, and Klaus Badelt’s other scores (Pirates of the Caribbean). Harry Gregson-Williams’ (The Chronicles of Narnia) score, on the other hand, is unique and sounds nothing like his prior work or work he will later compose. The acting in Gladiator is terrible as well, with the exception being Crowe and Richard Harris (Harry Potter) as Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The main actor that I did not like was Joaquin Phoenix as the Emperor Comodus; he was too whiny and very child like in his acting. He gave one of the corniest lines in any Ridley Scott film: “It vexes me so. I terribly vexed.” In Kingdom of Heaven, Scott has an ensemble cast that gives some of their greatest performances: Edward Norton (The Incredible Hulk, The Illusionist), Jeremy Irons (The Man in the Iron Mask, The Lion King), Eva Green (Casino Royale), and Brendan Gleeson (Green Zone, Harry Potter).
Both are tremendous films in many respects, but only Kingdom of Heaven is near perfect across the board. See them both, only if you can stomach some gruesome battles and scenes.
Next time: The Illusionist and The Prestige.
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