Napoleon

Movie: Napoleon

Running Time: 2:38 (sad face)

Nominated for: Costumes, Production Design, Visual Effects

How I watched: AMC A List

When it had me: Battle of Austerlitz

When it lost me: uhhh...the trailer?

What systems does it challenge: Historical Accuracy

This one is risky to take on as my second review because I don't really think it deserves many nominations. But, I mean, probably the sound design or VFX might be a standout when all is said and done. Me and Ridley Scott are kind of fighting. Don't mention it to him, he'll act like he doesn't know. Typical.

In interviews when Napoleon came out, Ridley Scott "observed" that in the time it took Martin Scorsese to make Killers of the Flower Moon, he had made four films. Maybe he wasn't trying to put any value assessment on that, but it sure sounded like a dick thing to say. There were several times during Napoloeon that my thoughts intruded right into the viewing and suggested loudly for all my brain to hear that maybe Scott should take a little more time on each of his films.

Joaquin Phoenix is a great actor and wasn't bad but his very mumbly American voice was such a weird choice for a famous Frenchman. In reality Josephine was 6 years his senior rather than 14 years his junior. Vanessa Kirby's acting was strong but it might have been a different dynamic on screen for this grown man with mommy issues to be with an older woman.

Let's talk gore! I love horror movies but not typically because of the gore. There was nasty blood and guts all over the battle scenes. I think it was what stood out the most to me during the battles. The BEST battle was Austerlitz and it featured a whole awesome trap set up that wasn't even real, which is disappointing. Still, it was cool to watch.

There was solid technical film making going on throughout. Costumes were great, production design was amazing, sound was good. I even saw it on a IMAX screen so I felt like I was giving it every chance to win me over.

I mostly didn't care all that much through a lot of this film. I'll take Marty's slow and deliberate approach over this any day.