I can't believe more people didn't find this film dull!

Rating: 3/10 (25 May 2005)

This film is a wonderful example of the "Best Picture syndrome". A dull film receives many Oscars (including Best Picture) and suddenly it's considered a "masterpiece". My theory is that the year the movie premiered, it must have been a very bad year in general OR it confirms that many on the Oscar committee LOVE to vote for giant epic films that are visually stunning (but unwatchably dull). I also wonder if many who voted never actually saw the film--if they had, many would have died of boredom and couldn't have voted for the film!
My biggest problems with the movie are the turgid pacing as well as the general unlikability of the main character. When the Communists imprisoned this deposed emperor, I could sympathize with the revolutionaries and was shocked they didn't put him to death! His life was lived in complete self-indulgence and he didn't seem to care one bit for "his people". So, for the only time in history, I found myself rooting for the Chinese Communists! If you DID actually enjoy this film, I can suggest several other epics that are dreadfully dull and overrated: The English Patient, Gandhi, and Ryan's Daughter.
This is NOT to say that I hate epics or long movies--just not ones where you could care less for the characters (with the exception of Gandhi) and where the pacing is so slow. If you are not a glutton for punishment, try watching The Big Country (one of our greatest Westerns), Ben Hur (wow), Dances with Wolves, Chariots of Fire, The Best Years of Our Lives, etc. Make them LONG and BIG but give them characters you care about and pace them better!!!!!!