Mongol (2007)

Directed by Sergei Bodrov. Starring Tadanobu Asano, Sun Honglei, Chuluuny Khulan, Amadu Mamadakov, Odnyam Odsuren, Sai Xing Ga, Ba Sen, Amarbold Tuvshinbayar, Bayertsetseg Erdenebat. [R]

Gorgeous but starkly inaccurate portrait of the early life and times of Temüjin, the warrior who would become Gengis Khan of the Mongols. Narrative of family drama, blood oaths, revenge and conquer is familiar stuff, and director Bodrov doesn’t help matters with a style of storytelling that leaves the viewer struggling to get a grasp on the details that launch the protagonist from one dire situation to another—whispers in the dark of, “Who is that?” “Where is this?” and “What are they fighting over?” were, no doubt, common during the film’s theatrical run—but at least it’s easy to cave in and go with the flow because of the visual strengths. The battle scenes emphasize aesthetics over strategy/reality, and sure do look great while “making it up as they go”; the scenic wide shots captured by photographers Sergei Trofimov and Rogier Stoffers on Chinese, Mongolian and Kazakh locations are often nothing short of breathtaking. It’s just too bad that Temüjin is portrayed with so few notable traits (none of them especially unique) that his childhood trauma, thirst for retribution, and rise to power in a brutal world make him look like “Conan the Nomad” or something. Planned to be the first part in a trilogy covering the Khan’s full life, but the later chapters were aborted. First ever Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film from Kazakhstan.

62/100