Packing in some great war footage, credible performances, crisp cinematography and potent background score, ’Kingdom of Heaven’ still fails to deliver. Why?
The answer lies in how it fails to give a broader context to the little sliver of history it dwells on. The transition into and out of this early episode of the medieval Crusades, that took place from the 11th through 13th centuries in the Mideast, is a bit too hurried, sketchy and clumsy. The fictionalized version of the story of Balian, begins with his life as a common man, a blacksmith, and moves quickly to show how he rises to knighthood to protect the city of Jerusalem from the overwhelming forces of Saracens (Arabs/Muslims).
As it gets into the many confrontations, both between individuals and communities, it does stay clear of religious prejudices and shows the villainy and the overtures of peace in a fair and impartial way. The real bias, however, comes out more in the form of the unfettered exploitation of the series of military campaigns for cinematic advantage. The result is a lot of blood and gore with no restraint against excessive violence, and no consideration for additional characterization or commentary on historical elements. That lack of balance is the undoing of an otherwise gripping drama, which makes it look less like an original historical thriller and more like an excuse for a rehash of war scenes from movies like ’King Arthur’ and ’Lord of the Rings’.
The quality of dialog is highly erratic, but the good lines do stand out, as in when queen Sibylla says to a not-so-scheming Balian ’to be a bit evil, for a greater good’. While the casting is quite debatable, Orlando Bloom, makes up for brawn with sincerity and chivalry. Eva Green brings in the right touch of enigma.
All in all, it could have been more than just an interesting cinematic episode, and be more successful, if only Hollywood didn’t trip over its own feet.