Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte, was small in stature but huge in ambition. Ridley Scott’s newest film has Joaquin Phoenix playing Bonaparte. Right off the bat if you don’t have a strong stomach, don’t watch this. This movie makes the first 15 minutes of Saving Private Ryan look like a Hallmark movie. Once you get past the violence, this was an interesting movie. It’s a very slow burn (with a runtime just shy of three hours) but historically accurate. The military aspect and seeing his battle plans come to life was really fun but again if you don’t do blood and guts then it won’t be your cup of tea. This was a heavy movie, can’t imagine a movie about the aftermath of the French Revolution being happy but you know what I mean. It’s not lost on me that this is the second time he plays an empower in a Scott film (see Gladiator). I think he was a great choice to play a complicated yet sensitive man. Princess Margaret from seasons one and two of The Crown (Vanessa Kirby) plays his wife Josephine. Scott was upfront that the historical accuracy isn’t at the forefront of the film so if you’re expecting a documentary-level depiction this will probably not make the cut. After letting myself absorb all that I saw, I think this movie is good, not great. The acting was really good and the dialogue kept me engaged but the lulls made it hard to stay excited. If you’re looking to go to a long movie in theaters, I’d stick with Killers of the Flower Moon. For what it was it was really well made but isn’t my favorite Ridley Scott movie by any means.

Rating 3.5/5