That was an excellent one.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

A Disappointing Continuation

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable movie. There are many coming out today that capture me and hold my complete attention for two hours. But, this one does. It is most importantly punctuated by excellent acting by an all-star cast. What disappointed me about the film was its liberties with history. The film does not capture just how close the crew of the Pinta came to mutiny. It was a far more dangerous moment than the film gives it credit. Second, is the Island of San Salvador. The San Salvador of the film is a myth. It is a typical small (60 miles circumference) with the standard Bahamian out island vegetation of scrub brush and small trees that have been the indigenous flora for millions of years. Instead, in the film, Columbus discovers a tropical jungle with semi-friendly natives and an "Eden" on Earth. There is also no source of potable water on San Salvador, so there is no chance of a human population on the island. Plus, the explorers were seen dodging giant tree snakes, when there have never been any snake species in the Bahamian chain. The island of "San Salvador" is more like the real densely tropical islands of the Caribbean hundreds of miles to the South,, which Columbus did later explore. Accept the film for what it is - an adventure tale with intrigue and back-stabbing- told around certain historical events and the film becomes a fine entertainment vehicle. Not to mention that Ridley Scott's fingerprints are all over the script and ensures a story well-told.

This could have been a great movie, but it was rendered entirely unwatchable by Gérard Depardieu. Why did the people who made this movie cast him as Columbus? A French clown? Of course the French love him, because he's one of their own, and because they love clowns. They loved Jerry Lewis, after all. But why cast a French clown as Christopher Columbus? It is downright bizarre, and it completely ruined this movie, which otherwise could have been a great movie. Among the alternatives, there is one very well-known American actor, with southern European ethnic heritage, who would have been great in this role. Even Arnold S. would have been better than the French clown. The one thing that keeps this movie from being relegated to the trash pile is the musical score.

This movie is filled with so many historical inaccuracies, its getting ridiculous already after 20 minutes of the movie. Everything from the "flat earth"-plot to turkeys in Europe. Its a disgrace. It portraits Colombus as some sort of hero who was nice to the natives. It was the other way around. This movie is beyond terrible.

Christopher Columbus (Gérard Depardieu) as an idealist, visionary, and ultimately a tragic figure, that's the idea behind director Ridley Scott's version. He takes Columbus from when the Muslims are conquered in Spain to when the natives are being conquered.It's a grand vision. The places are big and well shot. Ridley Scott has the skills to shoot this. I can only recommend this for its beautiful grandeur.While Armand Assante is interesting as Sanchez, Signourney Weaver just isn't regal enough in the role of Queen Isabella I. I would hope that she bring something more substantial to the role. But the worst has to be Gérard Depardieu himself. His accent really drains any drama from the movie. Most of the time, I would be lucky to just understand what he's saying. But the flat tone really prevents him from projecting a wider range of emotions. It really takes the tension out of the movie.There are some memorable moments in the movie. The most fascinating is meeting the natives. However it's mostly due to the look rather than anything inspired. The new world scenes are worth checking this movie out.