Rating: 
Summary: Take A Stand- Joan of Arc
Review: I don't know production so can't rate the movie on all those technical things that seems so important to some people. I just went to be entertained... and was struck powerfully by a story (forget the facts) of one person who lived a totally UNREASONABLE life and unimpeachable INTEGRITY-- and changed the future of the world as a result. Toss in that she was a woman and you've got some really interesting scenes. See it!
Rating: 
Summary: pathetic, horrible
Review: My biggest problem with the movie is that it doesn't give any rhyme or reason as to why anyone, least of all the King, would follow her. It does not explain how Joan became known as the Maid of Lorraine or why the "peasants" would love her. She acted pretty much psychotic and very high-strung throughout the entire movie(based on the fact that she saw her sister raped even though this is not historical). The woman in that movie noone would have followed.My other major problem with the movie is the "visions". They made absolutely no sense, and instead of getting a sense of "God" (goodness,light,etc). You just get a dark feeling. . . .ugh . . .
Rating: 
Summary: A great movie
Review: The Messenger is fantastic. I don't care about the historical accuracy of Besson's film. I watched this to be entertained. If I want an accurate account, I'll read a biography. You watch The Messenger for a few reasons. The first: There's knights. Those guys rock big time. We never get knights in movies, or, should I say, we don't get them nearly enough. So a movie with knights goes up one star for me. Secondly, you watch The Messenger for great action sequences. Armies of men charging at each other, catapults, horses: what's not to like? Thirdly, you get great scenery. Since this is medieval times, you get things such as castles, and armor, etc. Cool stuff for sure. Fourthly, you get some interesting drama. I'm not going to wreck anything other than to say it is very well done. The Dustin Hoffman scenes are also outstanding. You also get a good music soundtrack. In conclusion, I think you'll like this if you like movies such as Braveheart. But don't expect Braveheart out of this; you'll set your expectations up way too high and they won't be filled. Instead, expect a great movie, because that's exactly what The Messenger is.
Rating:
Summary: The Messenger:What a Controversial Movie.
Review: Well, the opinions for Luc Besson's latest movie--The Messenger are so extreme.Some said that it is wonderful,impressive but some said that it is aweful.I'm not surprised that Luc Besson's movie would arouse so many controversies for his work is so innovative. Whenever an artist wants to deal with history in his work, he will face a singnificant problem--the accurancy.Some argue that to be loyal to history is very important but to me art is art,history is history(To me movies are Art).If art work reveals nothing more but merely presents the history once again,why do we call that Art?So,some changes or some polishment of history events in movies is acceptable or even necessary as long as it dosen't go too far.All I want to know is how Luc Besson would portray Joan.Luc Besson,of course, has read many books about Joan.Do you think that he did not know how Joan was described.He knew,of course.Then why did they still portray Joan in this way?What did the director want to tell us?Making amendments to history is not a big deal but the motive of doing such amendments is what I concear most. Remember the name of the movie is"The Messenger !Is Joan really a messenger?That was what Luc Besson wanted to explore.And his Joan is not longer carrying a divine image.She is just a human.A human can never be perfect.So somtimes Joan will be fierce,weak,confused and proud.Some may not like this image of Joan.They may think that it ruined the heroine.For centuries Joan has been portrayed by history, books, legends, sculptures,literature and paintings as divine,virtuous,gentle and brave.Finally it became a fixed image of Joan.People can hardly accept others .Luc Besson's Joan of Arc did explore a new field for the interpretation of the maid of Lorraine.It smashed the virtuous, perfect,divine image of conventionally protrayed Joan.It is innovative and his Joan is much more humane.Then why must his Joan be so fierce?Actually,the image of Luc Besson's Joan of Arc was shaped to serve the themes of the movie.The second theme is satire against battles."And the battle of our pride,greed and hunger deep inside".Remember what Joan said in her last confession?She said she was just like all the others who believed that they are allowed to do anything when they fighting for their ideals.She said she was proud,she was selfish and cruel."Fierce","Proud","Selfish",and "Cruel" are simply descriptions about all human being.In fact,robbery,murder,rape are no longer crimes or sins under nationalism,patriotism and for those who are religionists in our world.We believe that we can hurt others,start battles when we are fighting to achieve certain "high goaling"...The battle scenes may not be as good as those in "Braveheart" but it carries a much deeper meaning that "Braveheart" did. Some said that Milla Jovovich acted badly.I think she clearly understood what Luc Besson wanted to present and how his Joan of Arc should be like. So she did her best to fit her role--Joan of Arc as a simple,talented,brave girl.And she acted pretty well. Even much better that she did in "The Fifth Element".I don't mean that her performance was perfect.But on average her performance ws great,impressive and convincing. She impressed me so much that I could feel glorious with Joan at the coronation of Charles 7th.I was shocked and touched by her acting when Joan's stong belief, self-esteem were challenged,denied and finally collapsed when facing the God(I don't think the word conscience is suitable enough for the role of Dustin Hoffman.It should be a mix of God and a representative of the war deep inside Joan's heart).Milla's green eyes were always shown with unbreakable confidence and will.She was so mighty and heroic when she was in her armour,riding a horse and waving her banner.Her performance is wonderful.For those who could not accept such an interpretation of Joan of Arc would not, of course,enjoy her performance. Never mind.Every individual is unique.Everyone has got a particular image of Joan of Arc in his mind.And I am glad to see that so many controversies over this film because only good film can arouse as many differential says.I do think that The Messenger is the best Luc Besson has ever produced.I've seen it 8 times in the theatre without getting bored.To me,it is really a masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: The best historic movie ever!
Review: This is the best historic movie i had ever seen.This movie was a huge success both because it has a numerous and popular cast (Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Dustin Hoffman) and because it is well directed form an also popular director Luc Besson. When someone is watching this movie, instantly remembers a similar movie that had also a huge success. I am talking of course about "Braveheart". We all known that this movie had won several academic awards and I am looking forward to see "Joan Of Arc" winning academic awards too.
Rating:
Summary: Unnoticed! I don't get it?
Review: Braveheart with a great underlying message. Blood and guts and a great story. A great ending as well if you are really paying attention. This is what a movie should be. Maybe it will have its revenge when out for rental. This is the DVD I've been waiting for. It won't let you down. See it for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: The best Joan of Arc movie
Review: This is one of the best movies i have ever seen... Milla Jovovich is excellent in role of Joan of Arc...She excellently reflects the passion,hope,anger,hate,dissapointment and other feelings that real Joan of Arc might had during her life...Its true that there are violent scenes such as a dog gnawing on a body..but i think that is to show how war makes the life of human beings so unworthy..so cheap.The mighty,glorious warriors becomes the food of dogs at the end of the war...being witness of these scenes, Joan starts to question herself asking: why does God not stop this violence? Does he enjoy us killing each other in His name? the questions which she will ask herself later in prison...Its not true that this movie portrays Joan of Arc as a schizophrenic person...In some scenes Milla Jovovich portrays her like that but its not the exact conclusion of the movie...the movie leaves the exact conclusion to audience..it just shows both side of views that are; She was sent by God and she was just a poor girl looking for revenge..but on the other hand at that time many women were killed and raped.So how come only Jeanne could accomplish such a mission that even those glorious warriors could not...is it possible that poor girl do that alone? This movie makes you think that too...Finally, watch this movie which is a masterpiece...especially historical movie fans should not miss this movie
Rating:
Summary: Insulting to a French National Icon
Review: "The Messenger" is a horrible rendition of the story of 'The Maid of Orleans'. It focusses entirely too much on blood, gore and chauvinistic male characters bent on revenge without paying attention to what Joan of Arc accomplished for her country. On the other hand, the creation of Dustin Hoffman's character was probably not a bad idea. Kudos to the CBS mini-series starring Leelee Sobieski!
Rating:
Summary: A FILM EXAMINING A CONTROVERSIAL PERSON
Review: I'm giving this film a high rating, both because there was not anything I didn't like about this movie as a movie, and to counter the folks who will certainly give it a poor rating. This film has blood and violence. It shows murder, rape, burning flesh, gruesome battle damage, and more. tI puts forth the possibility that Joan is a total nutcase with delusions of grandieur. It has John Malkovich as the Dauphin and Dustin Hoffman as "Conscience." This is enough to turn some people off. I say these people are missing the point. This is a film that tries to examine Joan, to explore whether she really was a chosen messenger of God or a passionate patriot who let herself believe her own delusions. Her devotion to God, finding the sword, identifying the Dauphin, leading the army, betrayal, trial, and execution are all matters of historical record, and this film goes beyond that. When Joan was on trial, she was defending herself against humans. Fallible, corruptable, humans. What if, this movie seems to ask, Joan had to defend herself against her concience? You can't say that conscience has an ulterior motive. But what if this was not her conscience but God, the source of her visions? Why would god put her through these troubles? Did Joan not follow His instructions properly? Did she start thinking too much of herself? As the figure that Joan debates within herself, Dustin hoffan carries a great deal of credibility. He has a deadpan delivery that contrasts well with Milla Jovovich's passion. Jovovich plays the role with a similar passion and nervous innocence that she brought to "The Fifth Element." I found this well communicated the passion of a farm girl who felt so motivated as to seek out the Dauphin of France and tell him to make her commander of an army. Her pep talk before Orleans was much more convincing than Leelee Sobiesky's in the TV movie "Joan of Arc," and made more grammatical sense than Mel Gibson's in "Braveheart." The brutality of some of the scenes in the movie is necessary to effectively prepare the viewer for the questions in the end. War is not a pretty thing. People die horribly, and many elements of common decency are forgotten. Joan led men into this carnage, inspired them to commit more carnage. Is this what God wanted? As a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, I found the medieval feel of the movie very familiar, more so than any medieval movie I've seen. "Braveheart," "Knights of the Round Table," "Excalibur," "First Knight," "Alexander Nevsky," both "Henry V's," "Joan of Arc" with Ingrid Bergman,"El Cid," "Fall of the Roman Empire" all had battle scenes that were excellent in their own way, but this movie actually took me back to the Pennsic battlefield, the feelings of confusion, trepidation, agression, and that indescribable flow of energy that comes from knowing that you are about to go into a battle that you have been waiting for and believe that if you meet it with all you energy, you will emerge victorious. The scenes in camp planning the battle, considering the next day, in the English camp, taunting the French, all brought me back to the the placed I've been and how I've felt at SCA events. The cinematographer used every inch of the widescreen for this film. If you must see it on video, be sure to get a "widescreen" version. Jovovich has a definite "girljock" appeal in armor that in some instances distracts from the meaning of a scene. The armor shows some fluting where there should be articulation, and some flat-out innacuracies, but some of this looks like it was a directoral choice for the purpose of an overall esthetic or character detail. Malkovich will not convert anyone who doesn't like him as an actor here, but he fits the role of the Dauphin well enough. Tcheky Karyo plays la Hire with a good, brutish, charm. For the unique combination of brutal blood-and-thunder battle with thoughtful insight on the question of "who was Joan?" wrapped up in an exciting visual package, this movie is definitely recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The Messenger a different viewpoint
Review: Although The Messenger has some gross inaccuracies about Joan of Arc, it still has some merits so long as you view this movie strictly from the point of view of the director. In the film, Luc Besson portrays Joan of Arc as somewhat hysterical, a little delusional, and possibly schizophrenic. Obviously he is taking the psychoanalytic approach to this historical person and at that he pulls it off very well. Milla Jovovich does a really good job of interpreting the performance from Luc's point of view.
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