Well, everyone, today, we are going to be diving into a genre that is well known as historical drama. This time, we are going to be diving into a film that revolves around one of the most infamous historical figures from rhetorical time of the French Revolution. Not only that, but this film is directed by film director Ridley Scott (whose works included films like the popular Russell Crowe, and Joaquin Phoenix film, Gladiator). And now, here is another film that is directed by Ridley Scott, that at also stars at least Joaquin Phoenix. It is the one and only one about the historical figure known as Napoleon Bonaparte. So now, let’s discuss the film that revolves around that person, the one, and only, Napoleon.
Plot: Set during the time of the French Revolution, the movie depicts French leader Napoleon Bonaparte, his rise as military commander, as well as becoming the King of France, and the battles that he fought over the course of his military career.
So, after making good movies like Gladiator over twenty years ago, along with others, did Ridley Scott do well with crafting yet another film? Well, in general, yes, he did. I mean yes, true, the story did feel a little too sad, and depressing at times. Still, since Napoleon was based on a true story, and this film did well with mostly, if not fully, depicting what Napoleon’s life was like, it works much better, which is more than one can say in regards to the last film that I reviewed. First of all, to have Joaquin Phoenix return as an actor, and as one of the main characters in yet another film that’s directed by Ridley Scott, that right there is really cool. Sure, it was sad to not have the presence of Russell Crowe starring aside Phoenix like in Gladiator. Still, this film is good regardless. The other performances, in addition to Joaquin Phoenix, were also really good, including Vanessa Kirby as Empress Josephine, who became Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife. Wow, and the battle scenes, how could you not love those battle scenes? The movie also did a really great job with showing what Napoleon’s life was like, the easy, and difficult, decisions that he made, and so much more. And what’s more is that the movie didn’t shy away from how Napoleon acted very selfishly by not always thinking of others more than himself, how greedy for power he started to become, and other things that seemed very accurate to Napoleon Bonaparte in real life. Honestly, it just comes to show that movies like Napoleon, The Patriot, Braveheart, and other historical films serve as proof that it’s really good to study other historical events, in addition to events from the Bible, so that we can truly understand the choices that people from the past made, why we should try avoiding making any of the same mistakes that some of those people made, and other reasons like those as well. Additionally, how could you not love the score by Martin Phipps? I mean to have the sound of the violin, and have French music overall playing over the course of this film? Elements like these, though they may not make the movie perfect, still help it be a better story than it likely would have been otherwise. Oh, and you know how this film is rated R? Yeah, it was probably for the best that this film was rated that, instead of PG-13, with how violent the movie was, and other reasons as well. Honestly, it’s not surprising as to how violent the movie Napoleon was, due to the fact that, in real life, with how many wars Napoleon Bonaparte actually did fight, life was obviously pretty violent for him, and his troops.
The one thing that does prevent this blood from having an A+ is that there were a couple sex scenes that kind of dragged the movie a little. Okay, I understand that couples have sex in real life. Still, and this is a complaint that I had with recent films like Oppenheimer as well, do we really need something like that thrown in our faces? If a historical film like this needs to be rated R, let it be because of say how violent a film is, and things like that. Please try not to insert sex scenes in a film just because it’s rated R, you know? Just a thought!
And that’s my review for Napoleon. It is agile that, like many historical drama movies, helps depict history around this point in time, ended up trying to follow closely to the Napoleon account, while also likely taking some liberties in the process. Honestly, if you like Joaquin Phoenix, enjoy films that directors like Ridley Scott have directed, and, of course, want to learn about Napoleon, then definitely go see this movie! Sure, you might want to learn about Napoleon, and his life after the movie. Still, the Napoleon movie is most definitely an excellent place to start. That said, go see Napoleon, and see what you think!
Final Grade: A
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