Slanted which way, Jfruser? Can you give us a review?
Atek -- "Saladin" was also in the running for a baby name, but Suleiman won out mainly because "Suley" is a better nickname for a boy than "Sally."
Plot
No big surprises. Quite predictable, even if not familiar with the history.
Acting & Character Development
Weak, weak, weak. I did not care who or what got whacked after the German was turned into a pincusion. Elf-boy needs some depth. As Paris (in Troy) he was a better fit. One-dimensional characters abound.
Battle Scenes & Siege
Only good part of the movie. Without those coming at regular intervals, it would not have been worth watching. The close battle scenes were done pretty well, with the armored warriors NOT depicted as lumbering oafs. The depiction of the trebuchets, ballistae, & seige towers was well done.
Anti-Catholicism
All priests and bishops are corrupt, thieving, cowardly, and vindictive. Always.
Philosophical & other Anachronisms
Where do we start?
1. Bruce Springsteen in Armor: Elf-boy seemed to be acting out some of the NJ Nincompoop's lyrics with all his talk of "the people" & knighting of anything with a pulse and a Y-chromosome. Baybeee, he was born to ruuuuun!
2. Leper-guy's Great Muslim/Jewish/Christian Coalition of Tolerance, Peace, and Fluffy Bunnies
3. Trained warrior-monks (in this case Hospitalers) espousing doctrine that would land them in serious theological hot water.
4. My memory fails me on pont four (as this was a forgettable movie that made Troy look good in comparison).
The only decent characters were Saladin & his right-hand man. Everyone else was thoroughly bad or corrupted when examined in detail.
