Kingdom of Heaven

Kingdom of Heaven is Ridley Scott's way of trying to recapture the success of Gladiator and to turn Orlando Bloom into the international sensation and instant leading man that Crowe became after is Oscar winning performance in that Gladiator. I don't fault Bloom for trying. I know he had to be thinking how could he lose? Sure it's an epic drama and none of the other recently released historical epics (including his Troy) have come anywhere near the success of Gladiator, but Dreams has Ridley Scott, Gladiator's mastermind at the helm, he couldn't go wrong?right? Well, that's not exactly what happened. See someone forgot to tell Orlando that he's not Russell Crowe. And while he looked damn good in those elf ears, it takes much more then a pretty face to pull off an epic drama the likes of Kingdom of Heaven and unfortunately for us all Bloom just doesn't have it.

I hate to criticize Orlando. I do. I think he's gorgeous and love to watch him on the big screen and he's not a bad actor he just doesn't have the acting chops or the screen presence to be convincing as the salvation of a nation. Heaven tells the story of Balian (Bloom) a lowly blacksmith who has lost his child and then his wife to suicide. He soon learns he has a nobleman for a father who has returned to recruit him on his journey to go and fight the holy Crusades and save Jerusalem from falling back into the hands of the Muslims led by the historic military leader Saladin. Agreeing to go in hopes of being able to atone for his wife's suicide, he soon learn that knowing one's enemy isn't as clear as knowing where your religious beliefs lie.

Outside of Bloom not having what it takes to carry the roll of Balian, Heaven doesn't work because the story is choppy and unclear. Scott decides to tell several stories: the jockeying for power amongst the Christians, the tenuous treaty between King Leopold and Saladin, Saladin and his relationship with his people, and an unnecessary love story that only seems to be there so there can be an excuse to see a semi-nude Orlando and instead of seeming interesting and entertaining it all just came across as one big convoluted mess.

Instead of all of these mini tales the movie would have been much more interesting had it just focused on Saladin's and Balian's grudging but shared respect for one another and the battle over Jerusalem. Instead we are left with a lot of unnecessary screen time filled by boring sub-plots and a badly used Edward Norton who is stuck behind a tin mask mumbling for a good portion of the movie. Talk about bad use of an actor, Norton would have made a much better Balianl then Bloom and might have been able to stir up some emotions and excitement where Orlando could not.

Despites these gaffes, Kingdom of Heaven does offer some notable performances namely Jeffrey Irons who plays Tiberius a battle weary Sheriff of Jerusalem and commander of his own troops who is vehemently opposed to breaking the treaty they have with Saladin and David Thewalis the Hospitaler and Balian's father's friend and subsequently the one who helps Balian become the man his father wanted him to be.

While relatively entertaining, Kingdom of Heaven is ultimately a disappointment. I expected more out of Bloom but I really expected a great deal more out of Scott, after all he is the guy who brought us Gladiator and help turn Russell Crowe into a house hold name. Unfortunately, for everyone Kingdom of Heaven is no Gladiator.

Tamika Johnson is a freelance writer and owner of PrologueReviews.com. To read more reviews by Tamika or to have your book, movie or film reviewed visit http://www.prologuereviews.com

---

Translator Robs Beauty of Words

Today we are looking at one of the most beautiful... Read More

7 Year Tribulation

As you will see in the Scripture verses listed below,... Read More

The Need for Biblically Minded Engineers

There is a great need in the world today for... Read More

Lets Restore the Word of Christ

"What? Trying to spread the gospel message without quoting from... Read More

Consider, The Past, Present and Future?

Consider the past. A time when we were prosperous and... Read More

The Basics of Salvation Through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

The one key central message of the entire Bible is... Read More

Religion Versus Science: The Truth

I find myself amazed and appalled that such strong antipathy... Read More

Belonging to Jesus Christ

In the name of Jesus, what shall we do in... Read More

Compassion and Plenty

He Showed 'Compassion'He made lots where there was only little.... Read More

Do We Really Need God?

The human being is endowed with ability. We have the... Read More

The Toilet Philosophy

Dr. Robins' observations are beyond mere intuition, they include an... Read More

Let Her Be Covered Part Four

Again, let's call attention to our text: "Let her be... Read More

Lutheran or Catholic Church; Choosing the Religion that is Best for You?

Many cities have large Catholic Church presence and well-established Lutheran... Read More

Development of Liberal Theology: An Overview (Part 3)

As senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of New... Read More

End Time Events and the 2nd Coming of Jesus

In part 1 of this series of end time articles,... Read More

How the Christian Right is Blowing It

I am not a particularly pious person and I certainly... Read More

Christians versus Mormons

Please read the passage carefully and note all the pejorative... Read More

How to Handle Negative Feelings When Wronged by Someone Else

How does a Christian really handle negative feelings and emotions... Read More

The Christmas Victory

As the Chritmas season approaches, I figured it's a good... Read More

Tsunami: Where was God?

The powerful tsunami that on Dec. 26, 2004, hit the... Read More

Choosing the Christian Path

- 147.5 million Americans claim affiliation with a religious group-... Read More

Teach Your Child to Pray

There are so many books out there on being a... Read More

The Rapture, A Coming Event; Part 1

Daniel 2:44-11:35To begin with, what is prophecy? It's the study... Read More

God is God

God is God and besides Him, there is no other.... Read More

The Pope Hates Potter ? Both of Them

This month a court in Burlington, Kentucky issued the largest... Read More

Surviving Eternity

Matthew 24:34-24:35 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall... Read More

Teamwork in Ministry: Pauls Sense of Partnership in the Gospel

In the pursuit of his Christian ministry, the Apostle Paul... Read More

Money And Religion: How Christians Are Being Misled

Today's Christian Evangelists, Teachers, and Preachers Are Grossly Misleading America... Read More

Anointed versus Talented: Whats the Difference?

Talent is defined as: "Natural endowment or ability of a... Read More

Public Spectacle

Do you sometimes wonder how did Jesus make a Public... Read More

Powerful Powers

Have you ever wondered what is power and where does... Read More

Pope John Paul II, The Right Man at the Right Time

The world has been blessed to have Pope John Paul... Read More

The Reign of Insanity

I know you want to kill me, and I wish... Read More