With its incredible production design and extraordinarily staged battle sequences, Napoleon is as astounding and epic as movies get. At two-and-a-half hours long, you’re certainly going to get your money’s worth seeing director Ridley Scott’s newest film on the biggest screen possible. Its gigantic vision absolutely dominates this intended viewing format, which is fitting for the story of a man whose outsized ego drove him to try to take over the world.

Napoleon and his prideful ego are the main fascination in Ridley Scott’s epic film. The observation that the wannabe conqueror’s famous inferiority complex was the motivation behind his brilliant military mind, also coincides with his laughably insecure stature behind castle doors. Embodying the titular character is Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix, who gives yet another iconic performance in a film that’s as visually extraordinary as it is comically hilarious.

Telling the sweeping story of Napoleon’s rise and fall, the film opens in revolution-era France, during the harrowing chaos in a town square where revolting citizens stuff the bourgeoisie into guillotines. It’s an unnerving sight for any politically motivated ruler, but not for Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix), an army general on the rise, who recognizes the potential for a power grab.

Napoleon, we learn, is a revered military general of the French army with a shrewd understanding of strategy and war. In his first big battle, Napoleon leads a small but sizable troop in a surprise attack against an occupying British army; a fight in which he nervously (and comically) hyperventilates throughout, indicating his early lack of self-confidence. Barely prevailing, but still victorious, his win boosts his rank, reputation, and pride.

The film jumps ahead in time, plopping us into various historically important moments throughout (title cards keep the many dates, events, and characters clear for the audience). Perhaps the most pivotal life event is Napoleon meeting the woman who would be his biggest match, Josephine (Vanessa Kirby). Although Napoleon is powerful on the battlefield, Josephine proves to be more powerful in their intimate relationship. The film shows how Napoleon can lead thousands of men into victory in war, but struggles in his subservience to the woman he loves.

The dominant-subordinate relationship that plays out portrays Napoleon as his most self-effacing and insecure. And it is here that Phoenix and Kirby are phenomenal. Kirby is strong and unwavering, against Phoenix’s insecurities. The film alternates between the battlefield and the bedroom, and the dramatic bedroom scenes are captivating.

But of course, Napoleon must continue to conquer. While all of the battle sequences are incredible, the most astonishing one is set on a snowy ice lake that leads the enemy army to chilling graves. Ridley Scott, the visionary filmmaker behind such iconic films as Gladiator, Blade Runner, and Alien makes this set piece rival Game of Thrones. 

Napoleon reached his highest peak after these successful victories, leading to him being anointed the King of France. Of course, this is where things come crashing down. Life back home with Josephine goes south when the struggle to produce an heir arises. And after the change in fortune of wars, Napoleon soon finds himself ostracized by his country, leading to a spiral as he tries to take over the world, alone.

In the title role, Joaquin Phoenix delivers yet again and brings to life what is Napoleon’s tragic flaw: his insecurity. The amount of whining, pouting, and animalistic dialogue from his character had the theater erupting in laughter. Other performances of Phoenix came to mind, such as the helpless naive from The Master to the cackling livewire in Joker.

While it’s a fascinating vision and story to behold, Napoleon begins to lose steam as the film progresses. The story loses its captivation as it tries to shift back through love letters to a now estranged Napoleon and Josephine while marching his hungry army through the snow to their ultimate demise. By its end, we see the true tragedy of Napoleon’s life: that of a man who set out to conquer the unconquerable, while unable to see how ridiculous he looked while trying to do so.