Review: ‘Mongol’

Instead of having to read separate reviews of what each of our geeks thought … we combined them! Read what the geeks thought of this movie below:

Ram Man:

Mongul is the new film by Sergei Bodrov that chronicles the rise to power of Genghis Kahn. The movie itself is breathtaking and tells a fantastic story of an a boy who is forced to grow up alone in order to stay alive.

The story starts with Temudgin (Tadanobu Asano) on a journey to pick a bride before he was 10 years old. This was to build his family and unite the Monguls. This journey change his life forever. His father killed by a rival clan, family deserted and he is forced to flee in order to live and become Kahn (ruler of the Monguls). Young Temudgin is taken in by Jamukha, a mongul from another clan. The two bond and become blood brothers. This bond remains over years.

Temudgin grows to an adult. He seems to have more lives than a cat though. He is captured and set to be killed numerous times just to escape over and over again. He returns to claim his bride Borte (Khulan Chuluun) and returns to his home and family to start his own. This family moment is short lived. Temudgin is still a hunted man and is wounded and his bride kidnapped. Temudgin seeks the assistance of his “brother” Jamukha with his warriors to reclaim what’s his. Borte is reunited with Temudgin and legend of Genghis Kahn begins. One thing about Borte, every time she is abducted she returns to Temudgin she is pregnant. Temudgin does nothing a claims each child as his.

Mongul features picturesque battles and some of the most realistic sword-play I have seen in a film. The blood-splatter alone would make Hannibal Lecter’s mouth water. This is a foreign film… this means SUBTITLES. Don’t let it scare you away. The film flows smoothly and by the end of the film you will feel as is you are fluent in Mongolian. Genghis Kahn… loner… lover… father… fighter… ruler… MONGUL!

4 out of 5

Scott:

Let me first say that for the most part I cant handle movies with subtitles, but this movie drew me in instantly, and I couldn’t avert my eyes. I, unlike Charles, stayed awake the whole time and thoroughly enjoyed all 2 hours and 6 minutes. The story of Genghis Kahn rising from an entitled child, to becoming a slave and the eventual khan of all mongols. This movie was truly inspiring and it made me want to conquer the internet(s) even more..eventually becoming the king of all movie site!

4 out of 5

Travis:

If you’re an amateur history buff like myself, Mongol is the kind of movie you look forward to seeing. Now, by amateur, I mean I really don’t know much about history in the scheme of things, but I do like to learn what I can. So, I’m not making ANY claims as to the “accuracy” of this film … I am making claims as to the quality of the film. Mongol tells the life story of Temudjin, from a child up to the point at which he becomes the legendary warrior-leader Genghis Kahn.

The film’s 126 minutes running time may get to be just slightly tedious for some who go into this movie expecting lots of action. My advice … don’t go into this movie expecting lots of action! Instead, be patient with this well-told story that flows in a smooth linear fashion, presenting this historical figure’s early life in a way that doesn’t blow him up into an unrealistic God-like superhero. Sure, legend and artistic license does come into play on occasion, but I never felt like the film was crossing any boundaries and disrespecting any “truths” of history.

With that said, Mongol does offer its willing viewers some really good battle action at the end as a pay off. Even these scenes are accomplished with minimal exploitation and sensationalism. The character of Temudjin is portrayed with several layers of humanity, all of which allowed for me to empathize with his struggles and achievements. Between the vast picturesque landscapes, the excellent costume design and vividly quiet sound design, this is one truly magnificent film that deserves its Oscar nomination, even if it failed to take the gold guy home.

4 out of 5

Michelle:

An insightful look at the man who unified the Mongols and became ruler of the largest empire in history – Genghis Khan. Shame that it went home Oscar night without the golden statue.

5 out of 5

Overall:

We all seemed to love this movie(except charles fell asleep multiple times), and we give the movie a final rating of [rating: 4.5/5]