Kingdom of Heaven [2005] Movie Reviews on CinemaClock

A complex, thought-provoking and ultimately satisfying movie, probably the first to show Muslims are regular people and not savages. It is still a Euro-centric film though (note the blacksmith teaching the locals how to build irrigation system, as if those daft locals did not know how to?! ) but at least it dared to show the true history about the crusaders who butchered everyone when they captured Jerusalem and Saladdin was magnanimous and allowed all religions to coexist when he ruled Jerusalem. Finally the film shows how dangerous extremism, on whatever side, is and how religion is used as an excuse to fight for land and wealth. Ridley Scott is a master filmmaker and he does not disappoint. Orlando Bloom is bland but the supporting cast led by Jeremy Irons and Ed Norton were superb. The actor who played Saladdin was also very good.