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Showing all 36 reviews...
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A huge disappointment. It was boring the whole way through. I expected fighting scenes, but all I got was one (dull) fighting scene and she dies anyways eventually. Forget about this movie.
2/10
2.8.2009 -
jonathanb1933@ - age: 1-12
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A gr8 movie must see it!! =D.
10/10
5.1.2007 -
nayla_b86@ - age: 50+
This movie is one of the best Ive ever seen this year. I liked it because it didnt have a Hollywood ending you get in America. It really stayed true to the real story/ legend (myth for some.. ) of this poor peasant girl. I took this movie out of a public library (2004) by luck in Frankfurt where I live.
and I can tell you right now; this movie goes beyond Braveheart easily. The castles where the battles took place in Orleans back in the 15 century were filmed on location for this one
. And when you watch something made by Luc Besson, all these little details make the movie sensational. Based on all the reviews Ive read, theres one thing we can all agree on: The scene battles are just AMAZING!
10/10
9.7.2004 -
dan_shrider456@ - age: 26-35
Joan of Arc is here only a pretext to a free expression of a vision personal to Besson. It has no relation at all with the historical Joan of Arc. Even when stripped of all religious and political interpretation. Poor Jehanne. She has so many times been used for selfish aims and ar from commendable purposes (from selling cheese and cars, nazis propaganda, left and right political symbol, etc...) I am, however surprised that she has never been a symbol for women lib. ?
5/10
10.11.2003 -
ducaroussel@ - age: 50+
Saw the movie on Bravo. Great film from a film perspective, but I question the truth in the story line. Although the screenplay was based on the Latin transcripts, the Catholic Church deified Joan 500 years after they put her to death. In addition, what was with the schizophrenic episodes the character went through in the film? Are we to believe that she actually spoke to Satan/demons during her imprisonment? Or that they played out a role in her conquests? This story cannot hold up to historical fact... she was a rally point for the French peasants in the early 1400's, and that is it. Holy Mother Church killed her for heresy, just as they did for millions upon millions of other 'heretics' during the Inquisition, and now deny happened (visa-vies -- the Holocaust!) Nice entertainment, but that is about it.
6/10
30.9.2003 -
sofaking@ - age: 36-49
Wow! What a great movie! Beautiful detail, excellent acting, memorable script, emotionally charged -- what else can you ask for! Thumbs up!
9/10
16.8.2001 -
colinbeth@ - age: 36-49
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Good movie to watch over again. Milla was not suited to this role, although the supporting actors were absolutely great!
7/10
22.4.2000 -
m_illek@
I loved this movie.. Love anything about history.. and the French.... also showing how the Church and State were and still are unseparable.. good action.... kept me on the edge of my seat..
8/10
18.2.2000 -
canuck113@ - age: 36-49
This movie was awsome. I expected it to be semi-dull, but it wasn't. The movie was heart touching, seriouse and funny. The battle scenes were very well done. Milla Jovovich did an excellent job protraying Joan. She did a very good job of being on the slight insane side, while being brave and honorable at the same time. This is a movie definently worth seeing.
8/10
29.1.2000 -
scarla@ - age: 13-17
The movie was powerful... but that's beside the point. The whole way through all I could think was, 'how is this beautiful, perfect woman married to that nasty director besson character?'. Man, did he ever get the good end of that deal.
7/10
14.12.1999 -
joshsommerfeldt@ - age: 18-25
It was boring, it was long and I am dissapointed in Luc Besson in turning this great heroine into this frail, lost, and weak character, who seems to lose it all the time. BUT, the way it was filmed was well done, and the visuals, except for outfits and castles they seemed really fake. Could of been better, way better.
5/10
8.12.1999 -
mountyboy@ - age: 18-25
Very well put together. An excellent movie with superb acting. I enjoyed it.
9/10
5.12.1999 -
luc1@ - age: 50+
I was somewhat skeptical about seeing this movie, but was certaining glad I did. The scenery was breathtaking, I also learned much from this movie,although somewhat gory, the acting was superb, would reccommend it highly.
9/10
5.12.1999 -
toeddy1@ - age: 50+
Very profound, beautiful imagery - and worth seeing if you have an iron stomach. I know this is a battle-based movie, but I was really disturbed by the hatchets, flying body parts, and burning flesh - is it really essential to show EVERYTHING?
7/10
2.12.1999 -
burpeej@ - age: 26-35
I thought it was a wonderfully made movie. Great acting.
8/10
30.11.1999 -
shauna_spear@ - age: 18-25
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"Anything must be true before it can significantly claim other mérits. Without truth, all else is worthless." E. Gellner, Postmodernism & Reason. When a film is founded on a lie, and a perverse one at that (!), nothing that follows can be trusted. In the case of "The Messenger," a true story of love and sacrifice, of dedication and faith, is cinematically morphed to a false one of hatred, bitterness, fury, and revenge. If there was any truth to this outrageous concoction, which there isn't, this incredible revelation might have been noted by one of the following: playwrights Shaw, Schiller, Anouilh, Peguy, Brecht; historians Duby, Pernoud, Michelet, Warner, Fabre, Quichertat, Contamine, Luce; novelists Anatole France, Claudel, Delteil, Dumas, Malraux, Twain, Tournier, Vioux, Keneally; or filmmakers Dryer, Ucicky, Gastyne, DeMille, Fleming, Preminger, Robert Bresson, Enrico, Panfilov and Rivette. Calling attention to one's own outrageousness as a filmmaker has always provided a fashionable haven for those who cannot or will not do the hard and patient work that leads to real insight, true understanding, gripping storytelling and work of lasting value. Perhaps this film teaches us what should be relegated to the flames: the vanities of arrogance (thinking a film on Joan can be made with no regard to the research and the record), of self-adulation (believing that cleverness can substitute for a genuine search for the truth), and of vanity itself (the obvious way in which the role was cast and the reason for which the movie itself was made.) (This critic was written by Mr. Ronald Maxwell, who wrote and directed the motion picture "Gettysburg" and who is preparing his own film on Joan of Arc. Having seen the movie, I agree entirely with his "diagnostic")
2/10
25.11.1999 -
benoitmorrier@ - age: 26-35
The fight scenes were good, but the movie draged on and on and on... I was dissapointed especially since I loved all his previous movies.
5/10
24.11.1999 -
sakhaneft@ - age: 26-35
Good movie. The battles are super and the Hoffman is superb at the end. But it was a bit slow to begin.
7/10
23.11.1999 -
sebastf@ - age: 18-25
The movie was not bad but way too long and in the end you're left with the question "What was the point, was it all worth it?"
6/10
23.11.1999 -
debbiema@ - age: 26-35
If you liked "Braveheart" and "Excalibur" you will like this movie. Its not the best movie of the year but I was glad to have seen it. Milla Jovovich was excellent and I hope she gets a little recognition from this role.
7/10
21.11.1999 -
mmv99@ - age: 26-35
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I was hoping for something less surreal and more historical. What's up with Frenchmen with English/American accents, and Englishmen with Scottish accents? And why is Milla on the verge of tears thoughout the entire movie? The battle scenes are good though.
4/10
19.11.1999 -
mysterons23@ - age: 18-25
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The Messenger makes for good movie experience a la epic 'Braveheart' style. Its a little long, not irritating long, historical and philosophical film. Mila well plays the charater of Joan of Arc. The French court gets under your skin as any royalty would and you instantly fall in love with the French soldiers. I'm not a history buff, but like any movie I'm pretty sure its not historycally acurrate on the life story of Joan of Arc. The presentation of the historical look is incredible. Beautiful locations and the period waredrobe makes for interesting viewing. The battle scene are filled with action and interesting 15th century war technology. I think Besson explores the sanity of religion, in a time where religion reigned over democracy. The filmmaker final portray of the heroine is not one of God's messenger but more on the message of religion. (interesting paper to write on this for religion students). Religion can push a person, community, or culture to do the unexplainable. In this story the French used Joan as the vehicle to propel their resistence to the English and Charles 4 to get his thrown. In the process Joan realises her sanity with an encounter with her Conscience. Well if the psycho-babel doesn't interest you, the French vs English battles are quite good.
7/10
19.11.1999 -
jimmy_flic@
Amazing movie. It is a Must. It reminded me of Brave Heart. I even had to buy the Sound Track after seeing the movie. After the Matrix, I think it is the Best movie I have ever seen so far.
10/10
17.11.1999 -
uqam@ - age: 26-35
Started slow.... Middle was great with the scenes of war and ended long, boring, and badly. This is one time, I wouldn't have mind if there was a hollywood ending..
5/10
17.11.1999 -
errol@ - age: 26-35
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Who cares if there are historical errors, the fact is, it's an entertaining movie, that's all we want to know. The movie is surreal, I left the theater feeling as if I had lived her experience. Scammy-Scams
9/10
16.11.1999 -
gazon@ - age: 18-25
Well, what can I say about a stupid movie... joining religion and movies is not a quite good idea... it made the movie look dumb.. it could be better. Don't waste your money on it.
3/10
16.11.1999 -
kingfaisal@
Excellent movie. The medieval wars are just amazing.
9/10
15.11.1999 -
loserdave@ - age: 26-35
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What a bad movie. Long, boring and no point at all. Can a movie get any worst? Wasted a good 2 hrs of my life.
2/10
15.11.1999 -
shui1@
Not quite as good as Braveheart, almost as long and not as much blood but still the ongoing war keeps you in suspense throughout the movie. Gets a little weird towards the end but personally I think Milla's gonna win an Oscar for her performance. All in all it was worth the $8.50 I spent, go see it if your into the midevil war thing or you just want a good dramatic movie. You won't be dissapointed.
9/10
14.11.1999 -
flint@ - age: 18-25
Perhaps one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The dialogue was interspersed with modern lingo and contemporary ideals and ideas. Historically inaccurate from the elocution to the mannerisms of the actors and actresses.
1/10
14.11.1999 -
indianajones100@ - age: 18-25
Good movie, worth seeing. A slow begining filled with annoying humour (one liners that keep coming back from Jovovich), but turns really into a very good ending. Great cinematography by Besson. Really worth checking out.
8/10
14.11.1999 -
ansrour@ - age: 18-25
Better then what I expected. I see a lot of mix revues, so why don't you judge for yourself and check it out. Personally, I think it is a great film.
9/10
14.11.1999 -
m_peretz@
Brilliant. Luc Besson's visually stunning, emotionally demanding and spiritually awakening film presents the life of one of the greatest figures of history: Jeanne D'Arc.
10/10
14.11.1999 -
yarnball@ - age: 18-25
This is truly an inspiring story! Luc Besson did it again, presenting a well known story with a terrific cinematography and awesome costumes. The end might be a little long but in the end this is truly a movie not to be missed!
9/10
14.11.1999 -
n8fireaboutte@ - age: 18-25
I recently viewed the movie "The Messenger" and unfortunately it did not meet my expectations. Although the images and colors of the film were breathtaking, the fight scenes believeable and the costumes absolutely stunning, at times the movie was slow. In my opinion, the last hour was the most captivating. Without a doubt, Dustin Hoffman's performance helped strengthen the final scenes of the film. Unfortunately, his character was only introduced at the end. The few scenes with Hoffman and Jovovich in dialogue were very convincing and excellently executed. Perhaps it took Hoffman's acting ability to bring out a strong performance from Jovovich whose acting otherwise was at times somewhat robotic and even weak. Having said this, I still recommend viewing the film, but preferably on a cheap movie night! Rating: 7/10
7/10
13.11.1999 -
tuvia@ - age: 36-49
This movie was absolutely brilliant. Up there with Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Milla Jovovich's other movie, The Fifth Element, in which she was brilliant but the plot left something to be desired. This movie, the historical retelling of the story of the courageous and royally screwed over Joan of Arc's struggle with her self, her enemy, her king and her God, left but one stone unturned when they ruled her out between the ages of 10 and 19 with a sudden skip over. That, however, was made up for with flashback scenes that went very well into the story. I recommend this movie to anyone who knows the story of Joan of Arc and to those who don't, all the more reason for you to go and see it!!!
9/10
13.11.1999 -
roguestalker@ - age: 18-25
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