'Kingdom of Heaven': Splendid movie-making, not a splendid movie
by Eleanor Ringel Gillespie

Director Ridley Scott's new film, "Kingdom of Heaven," most closely recalls his Oscar-winning "Gladiator" in that it sets an epic story in one of those long-time-ago, far, far away places. In this case, it's 12th-century Jerusalem in the middle of the Crusades. The parallel to today's mess in the Middle East isn't merely implied, it's spelled out. "Wall, mosque, sepulchre. Which is more sacred?" a character asks. Read the full review

TO SUM UP
During the Crusades of the 12th Century, a young blacksmith in Jerusalem rises to protect his people from foreign invaders.

FILM FACTS ...
20th Century Fox
'Kingdom of Heaven'

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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READ THE REVIEW

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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