Napoleon

Not sure why this movie has received such bad reviews. As a history teacher this is an epic portrayal of the life and conquests of Napoleon!

⭐️⭐️½ Napoleon is a technically impressive but emotionally hollow epic that struggles to connect its grand battle sequences with a compelling character study. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a restrained performance, but the film’s shallow script and scattered pacing leave the legendary figure feeling distant and under explored. Despite its scale and ambition, the movie feels more like a historical slideshow than a gripping portrait of power and obsession.

Could have (and honestly should've) done the Movie without the whole Cheating Drama.

‘Napoleon’ takes on the monumental task of recounting the life of one of history's most enigmatic figures. With a handsome narrative that spans the tumultuous Napoleonic Wars and a deeply personal look at the man behind the legend, Mr. Ridley Scott's film seeks to balance historical validity with emotionally resonant depth in human interactions. At the core of ‘Napoleon’ is Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of the French leader; his performance oscillates between charismatic brilliance and deep human fragility. The Director delves into the complexity of Napoleon's character, presenting him not merely as a military genius but as a deeply flawed individual plagued by personal and existential crises. Napoleon's ambition, passion, and ultimately, his tragic downfall, are remarkably delivered. The intricate web of relationships that Napoleon navigates not only shapes his character but also serves as a lens through which we can understand the broader themes of ambition, love, and betrayal. The depiction of battles is grand and magnificent, visually stunning; yet, the film occasionally simplifies complex socio-political relationships, opting instead for a more straightforward, conflict-driven narrative. Napoleon does not portray a documentary-style deep dive into every twist and turn of Bonaparte's rise; it bristles at the sacrifices this film makes. The film is interested in staging grand, operatic setpieces—sweeping battlefield panoramas, dramatic cavalry charges, operatic flares of color—than in unpacking the fierce political and philosophical clashes of the age (republicans vs. royalists, revolutionary idealism, the birth of modern nationalism) In my conclusion, the focus on spectacle overshadows deeper explorations of the ideological conflicts that defined the era. ‘Napoleon’ is a visually captivating exploration of one of history's most controversial figures. It succeeds in portraying the emotional landscape of Napoleon's life, capturing both his grandeur and vulnerability. While it may play fast and loose with historical details, it ultimately invites viewers to reflect on the personal sacrifices entailed in the pursuit of power. 'Napoleon' is strongly a cinematic experience worth engaging with, and I wholeheartedly recommend watching it.

This movie was bad enough that I watched about 1⁄4 of it and decided I wasn't interested in watching anymore. I really wonder if the star of the movie has lost whatever ability he used to have to act.

Bitterly disappointing movie. Beautifully shot yet nothing about the leads’ performances gave any reasons why a) the French followed Napolean b) why he was able to outsmart his opponents so completely or c) why he was so obsessed with Josephine. Granted she was important in his life but surely his march to Paris from Elba is the story. Explaining why the people still followed him after his distrous failure in Russia is surely the guts of this tale. Not whether Josephine danced with her ex bonk in a gloomy old house. A massive fail-athon. Really expected so much better all round which makes all the more disheartening

Based on all the reviews and the fact that I've never thought much of Joaquin Phoenix's acting, I expected to be disappointed. I've been on a bit of a binge on reading Austrian and European history of this period so I'm semi-familiar with what was going on. This film is so much better than I expected. Yes, the casting could've been stronger and yes the relationship between Napoleon and Josephine takes a bit too much of the run time, but there had to be a foundation for this film. It's far from perfect, but if you know your very convoluted but so critical history of Europe at this time, it does follow events truthfully and chronologically. Perhaps the negative reviews were due to viewers not knowing some of the players in here like the Hapsburg dynasty? It's somewhat of an odd portrayal I agree, but we don't know who the real man was, do we? And the battle scenes are simply fantastic. Recommended.

The hatred of our historic white leaders was Abundantly clear, but ultimately what doomed this movie was the lighting, filmed almost entirely in the dark or in a very hazy white light was too much to overcome

I wanted to enjoy this: the historical accuracy, the cinematography, the casting, the wardrobe, everything seemed in place...but this film just didn't land. There was not enough build-up from one event to the next, not enough story-telling to keep the viewer invested, it lacked theatrical direction and relied heavily on the dysfunctional love story, which was missing the elements that keep the viewer connected. I hung on into the end, but felt early on that this was just not it.

I am a big fan of the history around Napoleon. This wasn't it. Joaquin was not the right age and they focused too much on his love life. Come one. His mother was more important than that. Tragic adaptation of his life.