*Watched the Director's Cut*

An incredibly striking epic, and one that could've only come from the hands of Ridley Scott. I had forgotten just how visually impressive this film is. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and if there's one thing Ridley knows how to do, it's direct a battle scene. The story is level in its portrayal of sides and is engaging throughout the 3 hour runtime. All the acting is very good (probably a best from Orlando Bloom which, I guess, isn't saying a whole lot), and Edward Norton is excellent, but I do wish Jeremy Iron's character was a little more fleshed out.

Kingdom of Heaven is fantastic historical epic that's worthy of being placed among the best.

Watch the directors cut, it’s the best.

"If God did not love you, how could you do all the things that you have done?"

this is really excellent, traditional spectacle, pretty and exciting and very self-consciously classy. Ridley never met a metaphor he wouldn't belabor or a theme he wouldn't thuddingly spell out in dialogue, but this is also so blindingly sincere in its pretentiously noble depiction of an areligious (or maybe just secular) righteousness that it transcends itself. i mean, there's literally a scene where Jeremy Irons gravely intones: "First I thought we were fighting for God, then I realized we were fighting for wealth and land. I was ashamed." cornball earnest but simultaneously so completely forthright about its depiction of the political expediency of fanaticism and its attendant economy of wasted lives that it becomes actively moving. Orlando Bloom is just awful in it.

(extended cut)

DIRECTOR'S CUT

Not quite as essential as others have made it out to be and lives quite firmly in the shadow of The Two Towers. That being said, a lot to like in the craftsmanship - costumes, production design, and cinematography are stellar. Thematically rich. Orlando Bloom may be giving his best performance but he still isn't quite up to the task. No question Director's Cut is superior to the Theatrical, but this could be trimmed.

3.8

At over 3 hours long, it was boring. Great final battle. Hated every character.

I understand the concerns r/e historical accuracy, but I still love the fact that Ridley Scott's (extended cut) approach to making an old-school historical epic about the crusades is determined to treat everyone surrounding Orlando "babyface" Bloom more-or-less like a violent, conniving dirtbag. I think there were concerns in 2005 that the movie wasn't treating the relationship between Christians & Muslims accurately, but all things considered it really takes the piss out of how Christianity (and organized religion as a bonding mechanism) is used as a narrative for men to rationalize the evil they want to do anyway.

It's grandiose, entertaining and beautifully shot. Scott's made very few movies that touch greatness and this is one of them.

IT IS ORLANDO BLOOM’S BIRTHDAY

Mix 107.2

I watched the 3h director‘s cut for the first time. Makes the movie better, I think. Also longer. :)

Another fantastic Ridley Scott movie. This one's set during the Crusades. Lots of crusading and epic battling and dramaing and acting. Unfortunately, Orlando Bloom isn't super convincing as a charismatic troop-rallying, battle-leading dude.

Watch the directors cut, it’s the best.

Watchable only with director's cut