Movie Review: Mongol Dazzles with Enchanting Landscapes

Everyone knows about Genghis Khan - the Mongol warlord who amassed an empire to which the world has never seen again. What the people do not know, however, is how the young "Temudgin" grew up to become the fearsome warrior and eventual ruler of the largest connected empire in human history. However, the movie Mongol proves to be a sleeper summer epic that just needs exposure.

The story, from start to finish is a classic (read: somewhat predictable) one. There is love, loss, friendship and some forms of betrayal. The film itself is executed in a way that seems somehow similar to the other contemporary ancient Asian movies in its aestheticism. The director, Sergei Bordov, does a convincing job of filming the utter size of the Mongolian steppe from its endless deserts to breathtaking plains. A lot of the beauty from the film comes from the unspoiled natural landscapes that were used in the film.

Temudgin begins life as a son of a compassionate, stalwart chief. His mother, who was stolen from the Merkits, also provides the future emperor with advice and strength. After certain events occur, Temudgin becomes a wanted figure. He travels solitarily across the vast stretches of Mongolia in order avoid capture. He is eventually found out and enslaved. The conditions that he had to endure make for a solid and believable past for one of history's most feared warlords.

However, unlike the stories of people being drawn and quartered, Temudgin is depicted as a fair and caring man in the movie - just as his father was. He stresses code and law and eventually attempts to bring all Mongols under such a law claiming he would do so even if he had to "kill half of them."

The movie was filmed in an epic fashion. Sweeping shots and large armies colliding. There is violence and action in this movie, but perhaps not to the scale that some people would expect. There is blood and some carnage in it so be forewarned if you're taking some kids or... those kinds of people.

The music was done well, also. As far as epic movies go, there is an absolute necessity for original scores. On top of it, the original scores need to be... well... epic. Tyomas Kantelinen writes a good score portraying all of the emotions in the film without overdoing it.

Most all of the characters were well fleshed out and persuasively human. I firmly believe that is the key to this movie: the actors all perform their parts with a paradoxically flawed tone that makes them seem as though they are truly people. Certain parts of the movie have questions of morality in them but, faced with the same situation (which is VERY difficult given present circumstances and...era) how would you act? Perhaps it's not desperation, but there are certain key parts of the movie that are almost painfully human. Khulan Chuluun does a fantastic job playing Ghengis Khans de facto first lady. Her powerful presence is refreshing to see. A powerful female character is a nice change. (I mean honestly, how many more movies has to have Angelina shooting a gun to get viewers?)

All in all, I recommend seeing Mongol. It's a good movie that has action, love and the Mongolian language. That's something we should all learn to know because it's the most beautiful language. (Watch the movie to understand that last sentence... it's not a personal thing... just watch it.)