Negative ‘Napoleon’ Reaction …

Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” has already been test-screened twice — I posted three reactions so far, masterpiece, masterpiece and mixed.

We can now add a fourth reaction and it’s our first full-on negative one. This person did not like Scott’s 150 minute epic at all:

I was there. I signed an NDA and wasn't gonna say anything, but I've seen enough people get hyped about it and it's frankly painful to see. The movie is terrible, and the three other people I went with agreed. It's House of Gucci tier... but at least that had a bit of energy to it thanks to Gaga. I can't say any specifics, but do NOT get your hopes up. If it didn't have Ridley Scott's name attached, this would be another generic Apple Original Movie, no different than "Finch" of "Greyhound". This is no "masterpiece". It's going to get dumped on Apple and completely forgotten about by the end of 2023.

We should also add that screenwriter Matthew Wilder wrote on his instagram last month that Scott’s film is “one of the best films I’ve seen in years”.

Okay, fine. This was never going to be a critically-acclaimed triumph. When was the last time Scott released such a movie? But I am absolutely intrigued the prospect of watching Joaquin Phoenix as Bonaparte.

Apple sure as hell have high hopes for the film. They’ve decided to release it during the thick of awards season on November 22nd. Something does have to be said about that.

“Napoleon” has been “Rated R” for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and brief language. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s a bloody and gruelling epic that has this incredibly eccentric performance from Joaquin Phoenix.

Produced and financed by Apple, Scott’s epic reunites the filmmaker with Phoenix as the European conquering emperor. Scott is 85-years-old, but this is one of the most ambitious films of his career. It is said to tackle Napoleon’s world-conquering theatrics, not to mention his frosty relationship with wife Joséphine (Vanessa Kirby).