Medieval

This action-drama underwhelms as a historical drama and biographical film, but the over-the-top battle sequences make this a serviceable -- if grisly -- period action adventure. If all you want is something with Gladiator-meets-Braveheart-style movie violence, Medieval delivers an impressively bloated body count. But what director Petr Jákl, working from a story by his father that he co-wrote, doesn't do is provide an adequate or in-depth profile of the Czech legend the movie is about: Middle Ages war genius/strategist Jan Žižka. Foster is a gifted Method actor, but despite his simmering intensity, he seems miscast and borderline uncomfortable in this role (and not just because he's not Czech). The script doesn't give him the gravitas that other aloof historical figures have received in movies like Braveheart or Spartacus. Žižka was a brilliant tactician who was reportedly undefeated in battle, despite losing his eye(s). Unfortunately, Jákl doesn't provide enough historical context or exposition along with the movie's epically bloody fight scenes.

And even if you don't care about the history or Žižka's personal story, the movie is still disappointing in its pacing and plot, alternating the dizzying gore-fest of its war and torture scenes (so much viscera, so many detached limbs!) with slow-moving dialogue that still somehow doesn't explain exactly who's on what side -- or why those sides should matter. At least the well-known actors are always a pleasure to see: Caine still impresses, and Goode is quite adept at playing a villain who feels called by God to usurp his brother. Schweiger is well cast as an aristocrat with a punchable face, and Danish actor Roland Møller stands out as the ruthless mercenary Torak. Medieval doesn't live up to the full potential of Žižka's story, but kudos to Jákl for taking on such an ambitious project.