Saw it last night.
It wasn't as bad as I'd been led to believe. But it was a wasted opportunity to tell the story of Napoleon and Josephine. That's a pity because that would have been entirely possible with the components Scott had. Focusing on that story entirely without the battles would have made a better film.
But there were too many gaps, too many flaws for me and by the sounds of it most of the folk who were talking as they left the cinema felt the same. Most groups had one or two people explaining the missing bits or highlighting the holes. That is perhaps the issue, many people going to see it will have an interest and know enough to feel it lacks something. Had it been the plot of Bridgerton no one would have minded.
Don't bother with the forthcoming 4hr streaming version, watch this instead.
The Trailer for Ferrari looked good though. Wonder if racing/car fans will react the same way.....
As Thursday was a much needed day off I was in Banchory to play with John and Eric. Eric's scenario for Zona Alfa was very good. John and I had to infiltrate the zone to so that a Tech could retrieve some kit from the wreckage of a downed aircraft. By tying John's team down in crossfires I was able to get my man in about first and get my hands on whatever it was we were being paid to retrieve, no questions asked. ZA is a neat little system and you can go as straight or weird as you like with the Zone. I look forward to more games.
Friday is also a day off.....and I think I shall get the glue out and maybe do some Aztecs. 40 years ago a party of dwarves fought some goblins on a ziggurat when the first edition of Warhammer hit the shelves. I reckon Conquistadors vs Aztecs would make a good version of that scenario. As I was 11 when I got Warhammer the following year it will be 40yrs of Wargaming for me in 2024. A wee tribute methinks.
7 comments:
Give me The Duellists every time!
The steady flow of reviews on Napoleon seems to follow the same conclusions.
I enjoyed the film - very atmospheric - it would have been better without the battle scenes I think.
Ah the Duellists....a favourite of mine too. Far better film - without any battle scenes😊
Each to their own Stuart. Personally I thought it one of the worst films I have seen since Alexander, but actually worse. No plot, a childish script, no characterisation, and Phoenix reprised his go to position as Commodus.As for the so called battle scenes? We'll not dwell on them shall we.
Robbie,
For the record he was better as Commodus. It was clear what Commodus was from the start that film, why he wasn't suitable to take over from M.A. He wanted what his father had - love, respect, loyalty and wisdom but couldn't get it...and it ruined him, made him jealous and turned him into a murderous petulant nasty tyrant. Scott's Napoleon is an ill mannered oaf. But beyond that there's nothing in the film which explains why he's quite such a horrible person or be fit or able to be leader. No depth, no background and no characterisation. An ogre without a back story hence a pantomine depection.
Some year ago I saw Phil Daniels on stage in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In his first appearance as Hyde he turned to the audience and "gurned" to show he was now the monster. The audience laughed. It wasn't supposed to be funny. It didn't work. Thus was the play ruined.
So was this film.
I felt the same about the film Stu...would have been better to concentrate on one aspect and not try to cover everything in 2.5 hours...it wasn't possible. The battle scenes were pretty crap to be honest but 95% of viewers won't be aware of that, so it's probably not that important in the overall scheme of making a film people will pay to go and see....once! Most people know as much about this period as they do about Bridgerton!
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