Apple TV Plus has just surprised fans with the release of the director’s cut of Ridley Scott’s Napoleon movie. This extended version includes a whopping 48 minutes of never-before-seen footage, making the film’s total runtime a staggering three hours and 26 minutes. But despite the additional content, it’s unclear whether this new cut of Napoleon will change people’s opinions or improve its standing among Ridley Scott’s best movies.
The director’s cut of Napoleon stars Joaquin Phoenix as the famous French emperor and military leader, with Vanessa Kirby playing his wife and true love, Josephine. According to Apple, this version offers a fresh and personal perspective on Napoleon’s origins and his rapid rise to power, focusing on his volatile relationship with Josephine. Viewers can expect more extravagant costumes, larger-than-life set designs, and an unreleased Battle of Marengo scene. The extended cut also delves deeper into Josephine’s origin story and provides additional details about Napoleon’s downfall, including his assassination attempt and failed invasion of Russia.
While this sounds like a significant amount of new content, it’s unlikely to drastically change the overall perception of Napoleon. The film has received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. Currently, it holds a 58% critical score and a 59% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a popular review aggregation website. Although Rotten Tomatoes does not serve as the definitive authority on film quality, it does offer insight into the general consensus surrounding a movie after its release.
As a fan of Ridley Scott, I hold great admiration for many of his works, including Gladiator, Alien, Blade Runner, The Martian, American Gangster, Hannibal, and Thelma & Louise. However, based on the lukewarm reception of Napoleon, I personally have little interest in watching it. The feedback from reviewers and the general audience is an essential factor in deciding whether a film is worth investing time in. Therefore, even with the director’s cut available to stream, I do not believe it will entice me to watch Napoleon.
Additionally, the extended cut’s release is unlikely to propel Napoleon back onto the list of best Apple TV Plus movies. While the film did receive three Oscar nominations and four BAFTA nominations in 2024, it failed to secure any wins. This suggests that despite its awards recognition, Napoleon did not leave a lasting impression on audiences or critics. Consequently, it’s doubtful that the additional footage in the director’s cut will be enough to elevate the film’s status among Apple TV Plus’s top offerings.
In conclusion, while Ridley Scott fans may be excited about the director’s cut of Napoleon, it’s questionable whether the added footage will significantly impact the film’s overall perception. Mixed reviews and a lack of major award wins indicate that Napoleon may not be one of Scott’s strongest films. As a result, I personally don’t feel compelled to invest time in watching the extended cut. Nevertheless, I remain optimistic about Scott’s future projects and eagerly await Gladiator II.
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