Napoleon Now in Cinemas, Ridley Scott's much-anticipated epic, "Napoleon," featuring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic French Emperor, falls short of expectations. While the film attempts to cover the range of Napoleon's life, from age 24 to his death at 51, it presents a caricatured and unconvincing portrayal of the historical figure.

Phoenix's performance as Napoleon is characterized by moroseness, anguish, petulance, and childlike behavior, leaving audiences questioning the actor's range. The movie, though filled with battles, coronations, political intrigue, and the French leader's eventual downfall at Waterloo, lacks heroism, heart, and the essence of a great military strategist.

Ridley Scott, an 85-year-old director known for hits like "Alien" and "Blade Runner," fails to deliver historical accuracy, dismissing fact-checkers with a casual "Get a life." The film starts with inaccuracies, placing Napoleon at the execution of Marie Antoinette, setting the tone for a narrative that prioritizes entertainment over historical fidelity.

Despite mega-funding from Apple, "Napoleon" struggles to offer anything new or exciting in recreating 19th-century battles. The director resorts to digital enhancement, sometimes evident through a scrim of murk, undermining the grandeur associated with historical epics of the '60s.

The dialogue further weakens the film, portraying Napoleon as a whiny brat rather than a distinguished leader. The depiction of Napoleon's obsession with Josephine adds an uncomfortable layer, reducing the historical figure to a caricature of an oaf. Phoenix's portrayal lacks the charisma, intellect, and military genius attributed to Napoleon, turning the great leader into a seething bungler.

In the end, "Napoleon" is a wobbly epic that falls short of capturing the essence of one of history's greatest leaders. Ridley Scott's attempt to craft a successful portrait of Napoleon is marred by reductionist errors, leaving audiences with a caricature rather than an insightful portrayal of the French Emperor.