This has to be one of my top movies. Yes the theatrical cut was a mess, but Ridley saw it coming. The beginning is great in that Mr. Scott comes up front and explains in short what we are about to see and why the story is what is was supposed to be. The characters are more developed and the Orlando "pretty boy" problem seems to be absent in my opinion. I would agree with, "Bloom doesn't have the gravitas of Russell Crowe in the lead (then again, who does?)" The director thought he was the right person for the job and he's the boss applesauce. Great editing, and a wonderful soundtrack.I love the way David Thewlis pops in and out. He comes from and goes into nothing a couple of times. Ghassan Massoud is wonderful as Saladin. Eva Green's role is the only fly in the ointment. Her lines seem forced and sometimes a little corny. Her fault or the writer, who knows?