Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon?

[George K]

Anyone seen it yet?

Apple TV's gonna have it in about 3 weeks.

As I mentioned, Scott has a director's cut that's about 90 minutes (!) longer.

All of the reviews seem to say, "Nice movie. Imagine how much better it would have been if it were accurate." I rewatched the Critical Drinker's review and his comment that it would be better suited to a 10-part miniseries on Amazon, Netflix.

He's such an incredibly complex character that I don't see how it can be done in 2 hours or so.

[Doctor Phibes]

@George-K said in Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon?:

Anyone seen it yet?

Mrs. Phibes saw it at the cinema. She said it was a fun movie. She wasn't expecting realism.

[Wim]

@Doctor-Phibe It's a decent action movie. Some historical flaws, casting Phoenix as Napoleon wouldn't have been my choice.

[George K]

It was released to Apple TV+ a few days ago.

What.
A.
Waste.

It's truly spectacular, even on a small-ish screen.

But geez, talk about superficial. We learn almost nothing of his early life and his ascendency to power. His becoming emperor is "Oh, yeah, he did that, too." Even his return to France after his exile was skimmed over.

Whoever said this should be a 6-8 part mini-series was right.

And yeah Phoenix is too old.

[Copper]

That's about right.

The battles were nice. But even those felt a little rushed.

The wardrobe was nice, I can't say if it was accurate.

A mini-series that develops a few more characters would help.

Blame Mr. Bonaparte the scope of his life was too much for a 2 hr 37 min movie.

[Jolly]

But we still have mini-series...Most of the stuff on streaming is actually mini-series, if you consider a mini-series as a single character or ensemble of characters in a single story arc of eight hours or so.

[Renauda]

Still have yet to watch it but came across this critique which I thought was well presented:

https://screenrant.com/napoleon-master-and-commander-best-story-movie/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0QMjVZ9eIZeNaU6rK2q_nWLT59CzN7H_hBnkBwBgZgDKkThcG4dpcrr_c_aem_Af4K8KpFQ8OPelO2Y6U9Mr3a-N5WNofCQhfMyjU5Ga2l0aGmb47NfkL4KOt7zg3n54yngf8lybHSzDUs7tfIROHP

[George K]

Thanks for that, @Renauda .

We've commented on how Napoleon's life would be much-better suited to a limited mini-series. Imagine how Scott could have told the story over 10 episodes rather than 2 ½ hours!

Overall, I think this critique is spot on: Too ambitious, too compressed, too vague. Spectacular to watch but...where's the beef?

The History Buff's youtube channel sings the praises of Master and Commander. It was intended to be a series of films, but the project died because of poor revenues.

[Renauda]

Master and Commander is one my all time favourite films. Probably in second place behind Lawrence of Arabia

[George K]

Take an afternoon and watch Scott's Napoleon. I'd love to read your thoughts.

[Renauda]

Only if it’s the extended director’s cut version which I don’t think has been yet released

[Mik]

Just watched it. Marvelously filmed, but the criticisms I have read here hold. The clear implication was he was nothing without Josephine. SO much fascinating history that could have unfolded and yet was blithely glossed over for a few highlights that were poorly presented.

[George K]

The "Director's Cut" is available on Apple TV+.

More battle scenes.
More Josephine.
More on Napoleons death.

45 minutes (or so) longer.

[Mik]

Meh.

[89th]

@George-K said in Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon?:

More on Napoleons death.

BRO, spoiler alert!?!