A memorable experience, but still Hollywood

Rating: 9/10 (21 December 2001)

Things are quite simple. Having a monstrous budget and being based on perhaps the best scenario a director could dream of, this film has all the preconditions to go to the top. This is the case concerning at least our audiovisual redemption. Effects, photography, costumes, camerawork, all are of unparalleled quality. Moreover, the flow of the story is smooth, while its power and complexity captivates the audience. Quite often though, Hollywood tortures us by adding typical void and superficial dialogues, annoying close-ups, cheesy heroics and sentimentalism. Thankfully, the greatness of this epic overbalances and minimizes all negative aspects and we are left with two dominant feelings: Awe for the grandeur we have just witnessed on screen and eagerness for the next installment.