{"id":2608,"date":"2010-03-05T11:41:27","date_gmt":"2010-03-05T09:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pinartarhan.com\/blog\/?p=2608"},"modified":"2015-07-28T18:10:52","modified_gmt":"2015-07-28T16:10:52","slug":"kingdom-of-heaven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pinartarhan.com\/blog\/kingdom-of-heaven\/","title":{"rendered":"Kingdom of Heaven starring Orlando Bloom and Eva Green"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Kingdom<\/a>
Kingdom of Heaven- Orlando Bloom. Photo via lightscamerahistory.files.wordpress.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1184. Blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom)\u00a0 is not a happy man. He has recently lost his kid, and his wife has committed suicide, not being able to bear the death of their child. Moreover he has to listen to the town\u2019s priest (Michael Sheen), who goes on and on about how his wife is in hell. But his life completely changes when he meets his father for the first time. The absent father is Lord of Ibelin (Liam Neeson<\/a>), and he is there to take Balian with him. At first Balian is unwilling but circumstances force him to go. From then on, he learns a lot from his father. He will also need to prepare himself to take his father\u2019s place. He now doesn\u2019t even have the time to grieve- he has to be a knight, a worthy lord, deal with Prince Guy (Marton Csokas) who absolutely despises him, travel to Jerusalem\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Kingdom<\/a>
Kingdom of Heaven. As glorious as an epic should be. Written by William Monahan. Directed by Ridley Scott. Photo: images.allmoviephoto.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Balian\u2019s journey is exciting and never dull for a second. In Jerusalem, he easily makes friends with the Marshall Tiberias (Jeremy Irons) and earns the trust of King Baldwin (Edward Norton<\/a>). He also intrigues and attracts, Sibylla\u00a0 (Eva Green)-\u00a0 The King\u2019s sister- who also happens to be Guy\u2019s wife. Not to mention, Guy is thirsty for blood and is dying to fight the Muslims- much against the will of the King.<\/p>\n

\"Kingdom<\/a>
I love a good old battle scene. Well, what did you expect? My favorite movie ever is an epic war flick, Braveheart. Photo: film.com.tr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This movie is a really good example on how an epic should be. It has all the complications and the amazing battle scenes. It has the peace-loving villager-turned lord-who doesn\u2019t let go of his virtues, even though it might cost him dearly. Orlando Bloom fits Balian perfectly and the rest of the cast is simply brilliant.<\/p>\n

Fun Stuff:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Liam Neeson<\/a> only appears in the first 25 minutes or so.<\/p>\n

\"Orlando<\/a>
Orlando Bloom and Liam Neeson in Kingdom of Heaven. Father and son bonding moment. Cool for Bloom. Those sword-fighting lessons from Pirates of The Caribbean must have come in handy. Photo: hecinemasource.co<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

King Baldwin has leprosy. So you never see Edward Norton<\/a>\u2019s face. But it is fun to have him nevertheless.<\/p>\n

\"Edward<\/a>
Edward Norton in Kingdom of Heaven. Yep, this is how Edward Norton looks throughout all his scenes. For all we know, he could have recorded his voice. Just kidding. It is always nice to have him in a movie. Even when you don’t see him.Photo: cinecultist.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The (only) leading female is Sibylla, played by the gorgeous Eva Green.<\/p>\n

\"Eva<\/a>
Trust me, this picture doesn’t do her justice at all. She is simply radiantly beautiful in this cool epic from 2005. Photo: http:\/\/www.atoww.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There is also Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd<\/a>) from Grey\u2019s Anatomy, plays one of Liam Neeson\u2019s soldiers.<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/a>
Yes, I admit I went back to watching Grey’s Anatomy after Kevin’s Owen livened up the show. I was pissed off that they had gotten rid of Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s character for the second time. But finally there is another passionate and fun gPuy. Photo: img5.allocine.fr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brendan Gleeson plays exactly looks like his character in Braveheart<\/a>– where he played Hamish, Wallace’s best mate. Although here, he is pretty much the bad guy.<\/p>\n

\"Brendan<\/a>
This is Brendan in Braveheart. One of the good guys.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Brendan<\/a>
Brendan Gleeson in Kingdom of Heaven. Apart from 10 year gap between the films, he is instantly recognizable and reminded me of Hamish. Here, he does a great job as a mean bastard. Photo: filmdope.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reasons to see Kingdom of Heaven:<\/strong><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You mean apart from Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Edward Norton, Orlando Bloom and Eva Green?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Director is Ridley Scott- who also directed Gladiator, Body of Lies, American Gangster, White Squall and Thelma and Luis.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Good script, good acting, wonderful direction and pretty cool battle scenes.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you are not convinced yet, I am giving up.<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see any, but you might be bothered by the stuff that is not historically accurate.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Why have Edward Norton play a character with leprosy in the first place? But being the cool and interesting guy that he is, it was Edward who specifically requested that role. Let\u2019s keep fingers crossed that he does star in an epic one day, with his face showing\u2026<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you do hate Orlando Bloom and think he can\u2019t act, obviously you will get annoyed watching him for 144 minutes. Or for 190 minutes in Director\u2019s Cut.<\/p>\n

\"Orlando<\/a>
Yep, a lot of Orlando Bloom. He is pretty good, though. He carries his role with grace and innonce. Photo: wallpaperbase.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My biases: Love the whole cast and I am a big fan of Ridley Scott. White Squall (starring Jeff Bridges) is one of my favorite movies ever and I am yet to dislike anything Ridley worked on.<\/p>\n

IMDB verdict: 7.1<\/p>\n

My verdict: 7.8- 8.0<\/p>\n