Encouraging

Rating: 8/10 (4 March 2012)

It is far beyond the current Turkish movie standards and encourages further productions. The staff seems do their best. I congratulate the director, players and all other teams.
It is unfair to compare it with Hollywood history-war-action productions. Hollywood is a gigantic movie industry, dominant in the world and does not know any rival. But the topic, conquering the Istanbul, is one of the most important historical, cultural, religious and political event in the Turkish and world history. Consequently the expectations are very high and the movie is unable to meet those who anticipate to satisfy their national and religious feelings.
The movie may arise ordinary Turks', still have average adherence towards their soil, roots and ancestors, national and religious emotions. They may even give a cry in some scenes. I myself observed it in theater.
Certainly for the role of Sultan Mehmed Han, the director must have picked up someone else. Devrim Evin can't reflect the Great Conquerer's magnificence and his acting is poor. Ibrahim Celikkol is better than him both in shape and acting.
I think they cannot give up using women the way modern west mentality use it. Their approach on this matter is a little trendy. But, I give them right because they have to consider current audience demand for sake of commercial profit. The movie which deprived of love, attractive women and love scene has no much chance in box-office, especially in Turkey. Even so, I cannot help myself wishing their attachment to historical realities as Cary Fukunaga did in his Jane Eyre.
One of the absurd scene that draw my attention was Ulubatli Hasan's suppress rebellion attempt. He says to some of rebels: "Dogs! You have been eating our Sultan's bread" and other was in the Ak Shemseddin's advise. He says to the Mehmed II: "Strong winds blow in highs". These two scene were very funny. There is so much to review but i don't have too much time to write.
Finally, as a Turkish production, the movie is fine. I think it is one of the initials which hearten its predecessor. I believe Turkish movie industry will succeed more quality productions in a few decades. Turks have just begun which Hollywood and others did many years ago.