Film Review – Napoleon (2023)

There have been many interpretations of Napoleon Bonaparte, with the French leader explored in all forms of media, reaching a point where the reality of his existence isn’t nearly as interesting as the myth. Director Ridley Scott and screenwriter David Scarpa (“The Day the Earth Stood Still” remake, “All the Money in the World”) hope to restore some grit and eccentricity into the world of Bonaparte, with “Napoleon” their epic take on a life filled with petulance, violence, and longing for a woman he couldn’t fully possess. It’s a massive story of military development and hunger for power that’s difficult to explore, even with a 157-minute-long run time, but the material definitely plays to Scott’s interests in epic filmmaking and chilly emotionality. “Napoleon” isn’t a consistent viewing event, but Scott manages to capture bigness to the historical journey, while Scarpa’s in charge of conjuring more intimate drama to reach viewers, with editorial choices losing some important connective tissue along the way. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com