Ironclad (Bluray, 2011)

Where do I start with this? Brief history lesson maybe?
Between 1212 and 1215 there was a civil war between King John and the Barons in England, which was ended thanks to the Knights Templar that sided with the Barons.What followed was the Magna Carta, a document that the Barons forced Johan to sign, that stated that no monarch could judge a nobel or common man without a trial.A document which would be the basics for the English justice system and the Parliament, and the American democracy during their War of Independence. 

Where this movie takes place is shortly after the signing of the Magna Carta, and King John (Paul Giamatti) decides to take back England under his sovereign rule by the support of the Pope, and the help of a thousand Danish mercenaries.Baron Albany (Brian Cox) and Marshal (James Purefoy) decides to take up the fight against the king and gathers up a ragtag group of men to hold Rochester Castle against him for as long as it takes the French to reinforce them. 

Now that's out of the way... Where this movie initially fails is in its spartan storytelling, meaning that once the opening narration is done, that's about it of exposition you will get.Everyone in the group is gathered together in the typical fashion, where they meet up with them one at the time so that the audience can get a brief look at their vice and virtues before we see them heroicly fight against all odds.Effective way of getting the tedious character development out of the way, considering this is a 2 hour long feature as it is, but it do make me wonder why they would add so many characters to a movie that is about something more important, the Magna Carta, that would suck away so much screentime.The answer is simply that this movie is a action movie, and background story comes second since the audience approvel of the characters are more important then a compelling story about one of the most important document in human history.So make no mistake that this movie is about comradery and fellowship against greater perils, the rest is just filler. 

I do feel often that this movie is not telling me enough, despite its two hour running time, because there are often mention of other events, past and present, that makes you wonder why they are never developed or mentioned again.Like with the Danish Mercanaries, which is mentioned that are fighting for King John so that he can convince the Pope to leave them alone and pull back christan soldiers of their lands.Denmark has been a christian country a long time before this event, so it does make me wonder where these people really comes from and what their troubles are.What's also never really explained is the relations of the Barons followers, who seems to have previous handle with him, but is never told in what fashion they have been in his aid before.
The acting all around is solid, apart from James Purefoy almost sleepy performance.


What is to be noted however, is Paul Giamatti's serious overacting moments.It feels like he's about to burst out of the screen and eat my head.I especially loves the scene where he passionatly talks about his lineage and birthright, and waves his fists and body around in such a manner that I feel tempted to put a voice track of Hitler over his dialog just to see how well it fits.Paul Giamatti is in no way a bad actor, as I loved his performances in John Adams(2008) and Cold Souls (2009), but to me he took the depiction of King John a "bit" too far.

The Bluray version is of a very high quality, making the gushing of blood, dismemberment and dirty faces look even more detailed and lovely. Other then that, it's nothing more to tell other then a few measily interviews as extra. 

In conclusion, its a fine piece of cinema if you like medieval themed movies with a lot of fighting and blood, but don't think it's more then a action movie, as it is in the same theme as King Arthur(2004) and Kingdom of Heaven(2005), so be prepared to be either entertained or bored.
Verdict: 4 out of 6