I've given it enough of my time. I realise this is an untrendy and almost unallowable viewpoint, but I've given my reasons at least.

It is true I've never been as crazy for Raging Bull as the world and its lobster seem to be, but it's so long since I saw it (though I did try it 3+ times) I'm not sure I'd hold the same view now -or even what those views were. I shoulda writ them down I know.

There are exceptions to the “irrelevant to dislike a movie because the main character is unlikeable” though. For instance I've decided a while back that I have absolutely ZERO interest in watching another “Serial Killer” type movie. I think these characters have been played-out and overexposed already in “popular” media. It's nigh-on hero worship at this stage. Whether the movie is “worshipping” the killer or not, it's invariably living on the “strength” and power of these acts (there are exceptions to this too -Zodiac and Memories of Murder being two notables).

It's all too easy to show such downbeat, soul-sucking, nihilistic acts & protagonists. It's virtually impossible to “diss” them without coming across as a squeamish schoolgirl. We're encouraged to “FACE THE EVIL HEAD ON”. Not to do so is to remain ignorant.

Well, I don't agree with that. I also have no qualms about switching the channel when the dying babies of Africa (or any other country) are shown in all their 'glory' -not because I don't care, but because it's too damn upsetting. And me being upset makes zero difference to the problem. …but I know if it was my loved-one lying dead on the side of the road I'd be outraged at the idea of it being shown on TV (much like it isn't done to show for instance the identifiable body of a US soldier in this manner).

OK, I'm drifting off the point slightly there, but still, this is my objection to 'Serial Killer' type movies and I found There Will Be Blood to be nothing other than the portrait of a vacuous man who shares much of these same qualities.

“Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” …well part of the power such people gain (and strive for) is provided simply BY the looking.
I am as Time. I have no time for such petty individuals.

I've given it enough of my time. I realise this is an untrendy and almost unallowable viewpoint, but I've given my reasons at least.

It is true I've never been as crazy for Raging Bull as the world and its lobster seem to be, but it's so long since I saw it (though I did try it 3+ times) I'm not sure I'd hold the same view now -or even what those views were. I shoulda writ them down I know.

There are exceptions to the “irrelevant to dislike a movie because the main character is unlikeable” though. For instance I've decided a while back that I have absolutely ZERO interest in watching another “Serial Killer” type movie. I think these characters have been played-out and overexposed already in “popular” media. It's nigh-on hero worship at this stage. Whether the movie is “worshipping” the killer or not, it's invariably living on the “strength” and power of these acts (there are exceptions to this too -Zodiac and Memories of Murder being two notables).

It's all too easy to show such downbeat, soul-sucking, nihilistic acts & protagonists. It's virtually impossible to “diss” them without coming across as a squeamish schoolgirl. We're encouraged to “FACE THE EVIL HEAD ON”. Not to do so is to remain ignorant.

Well, I don't agree with that. I also have no qualms about switching the channel when the dying babies of Africa (or any other country) are shown in all their 'glory' -not because I don't care, but because it's too damn upsetting. And me being upset makes zero difference to the problem. …but I know if it was my loved-one lying dead on the side of the road I'd be outraged at the idea of it being shown on TV (much like it isn't done to show for instance the identifiable body of a US soldier in this manner).

OK, I'm drifting off the point slightly there, but still, this is my objection to 'Serial Killer' type movies and I found There Will Be Blood to be nothing other than the portrait of a vacuous man who shares much of these same qualities.

“Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” …well part of the power such people gain (and strive for) is provided simply BY the looking.
I am as Time. I have no time for such petty individuals.

Anyway, I'd just like to thank those who recommended it to me, based on what I had said. I can't say I _liked_ it, but I'm definitely glad I watched it.

I thought the crowd/ battle scenes were among the finest ever filmed -ie. it looked less like CGI than any other I can think of -although the digital blood took me right out of it every time it splashed across the screen. Also I thought a lot of the violence was gratuitous. I can see a need to portray the “violence of the times”, but the scenes I'm thinking of were more to do with cinematic, stylised deaths than realism: eg. sharp end of a pickaxe through a helmet at the top of a head. The way it was shown was.. unnecessary. There were a few more like that.

Sets and costumes were all top-notch.

The beginning of the movie wasn't bad, but after what seemed like an age I found myself checking runtime, praying it wasn't nearly over because nothing much had happened and I didn't want to report back here with nothing but negatives.

Thankfully (kind of) it was only half way through at that point.

In this instance, I think most of the problems can't be levelled at Ridley Scott, but Orlando Bloom… or more accurately whoever cast him. Sure, he's not hard to look at, but he just looks and feels ridiculous in the role.
His character's overnight transformation from grieving blacksmith to son-of-a-knight, legendary fighter, sage, battle strategist, subtle lover and leader of men might have stood some chance if played by an actor who looks like he has _some_ potential to learn and grow, but, though I don't dismiss Mr. Bloom outright as a 'name actor' -he's no leader of men, nor epic-movie lead character.

In short: I can't say I loved it, but I had less problems with it than I did any other Ridley Scott film, so next time I'm dissing him at least I'll have a few more positive things to say. :)

It's also the 2nd-best “epic” film I've seen in the past week.
(Red Cliff 1 and 2 being the better one -blu ray still going cheap on amazon.co.uk last I looked!)