Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green and Jeremy Irons
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films that bloom like Orlando Bloom. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Bloom has built a lasting legacy. Whether it’s magical warriors, medieval gladiators or pirates facing dangers, Bloom has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Bloom’s finest strength as an actor is his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has often poured his heart and soul in each role. Bloom has never been afraid to take risks in his career depicting characters that aren’t always likeable. He has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he is in a film for a short period of time, Bloom has always left a lasting impression. A British icon, Bloom has become a beloved actor audiences cherish. Throughout his impressive career, the actor has produced many memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bloom and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Kingdom of Heaven” is definitely my favourite. Since its release in 2005, Ridley Scott’s film has stood test of time as a strong medieval masterpiece. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best medieval films ever made. At the centre of it all is a great performance by Orlando Bloom, who plays a medieval warrior seeking to discover identity. Ultimately, what makes “Kingdom of Heaven” a masterpiece is its bold appeal. Unlike most medieval movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A captivating medieval masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “Kingdom of Heaven” is a commemorated movie which is worth watching.
Set in Jerusalem, “Kingdom of Heaven” tells a story of a warrior that’s in search of kingdom. Orlando Bloom portrays Balian, a courageous blacksmith which is driven to become a hero. When his wife dies, Balian is suddenly thrown into an award situation of lacking a clear life direction. Balian is excited when he’s given the chance by his father Godfrey (Liam Neeson) to embark upon an adventure. However, Balian’s dreams are shattered when he discovers that his expedition to Jerusalem involves immense danger. Faced with obstacles that prove to be challenging, Balian questions whether it’s truly possible for him to become a king. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Balian begins to wonder whether it’s truly possible to him to overcome disaster. Questioning place in city of Jerusalem, Balian questions whether he has a place in a kingdom. Facing a dilemma, Balian wonders whether it’s possible for him to cope with a past of trauma.
Ridley Scott is fascinated with the stories of accident medieval warriors. A world-famous filmmaker, Scott has often made compelling movies about medieval warriors whose lives are in dangers. His Oscar-winning historical epic “Gladiator” illustrated lives of medieval gladiators seeking vengeance which causes disaster. With “Kingdom of Heaven”, however, Scott creates his first Jerusalem period piece. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the lives of ancient warriors exploring an ancient Jerusalem city but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Scott captures a medieval warrior embarking upon journeys in a Jerusalem city. Emulating David Lean’s “Lawrence of Arabia”, Scott effectively uses montages to capture the tensions which medieval warriors face in Arabia. For instance, the montages enhance the Jerusalem journey scene. During this unforgettable scene, Balian embarks on a journey to Jerusalem involving a great amount of tragedy. Through montages, Scott captures the hardships which medieval knights go through. Montages are tricky to use in movies. As Gore Verbinski’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” did suggest clearly, montages elevate films about pirates. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Scott captures tensions which medieval warriors in Jerusalem are facing.
Another commendable aspect of “Kingdom of Heaven” deserving appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well-made. Scott effectively uses cross-cutting editing to stage battle sequences which prove engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the kingdom battles scene. During this intense scene, Balian engages in an intense battle with opposing forces in kingdoms involving tension. Through cross-cutting, Scott constructs battle scenes which are engaging. Cross-cutting is a complex technique to use. As Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring” claimed, cross-cutting elevates fantasy adaptations. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Harry Gregson-Williams’ music is key to the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which warriors in Jerusalem bear. Through engaging production-design, Scott captures the lives of commemorated medieval warriors which experience a painful decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Kingsom of Heaven” is a medieval film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of medieval warriors facing tension. Throughout the movies Scott uses silence to capture the lives of medieval warriors which are affected by violence. For instance, silence elevates the final confrontation scene. During this intense scene, Balian engages in a tense fight with an enemy in a fight in Jerusalem. One recognizes sequences of silence capturing the tensions of warriors that are affected by violence. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” claimed, silence elevates historical films about the Holocaust. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a superb screenplay, Scott captures the lives of medieval warriors in Jerusalem that face a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Orlando Bloom delivers one of his best career performances as Balian. Bloom first earned appreciation for playing warriors on fantasy dramas. With “Kingdom of Heaven”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a medieval warrior seeking to find identity in a Jerusalem city but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional on his most memorable role. Bloom has often had aptitudes for playing emotional heroes that are under pressure, and “Kingdom of heaven” showcased his greatest strength as an actor. With riveting expressions, he conveys the angst, grief and bravery of a knight which seeks to discover identity. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Orlando Bloom, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Jeremy Irons is incredible, bringing authority towards a knight feeling jealousy. Eva Green is excellent, capturing charisma of a majestic queen which seeks to guide young pupils facing a dilemma. Lastly, Liam Neeson merits appreciation. As a medieval warrior, he brings an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Kingdom of Heaven” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing knights facing tension. Unlike most movies capturing Jerusalem, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, passion and grief which definitely would truly relate with everyone. Therefore, “Kingdom of Heaven” is one of those rare commemorated medieval epics everyone will adore.
Fans of Orlando Bloom will definitely enjoy “Kingdom of Heaven” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A mesmerizing medieval masterpiece about Jerusalem, it honours an actor that has achieved stardom.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about medieval warriors searching for a heavenly kingdom in Jerusalem, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has achieved stardom playing characters with wisdom in unforgettable movies which definitely don’t deserve any criticism.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 