It’s hard to believe it’s been 23 years since Ridley Scott helped Joaquin Phoenix become a household name. The duo teamed up for the phenomenal Oscar-winning hit Gladiator in 2000. They now have re-teamed to showcase their talents for the just as awe inspiring Napoleon. The film is one you will want to watch on the big screen as well, and not just wait for its upcoming Apple TV premiere. This is thanks to the incredible battle scenes and Oscar-worthy cinematography.

Napoleon follows the story of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Phoenix), from his days as general of the French army to his march to take over the world. It also takes a close look at his volatile relationship with his wife Josephine (Vanessa Kirby). And lastly it looks at his eventual exile to the islands of Elba and Saint Helena, the latter of which was his final resting place.

The first thing that comes to mind while watching Napoleon is that it seems to fast forward to some scenes without telling the complete story of how it ended up where it did. This is more than likely the reason Ridley Scott has already announced that a four hour director’s cut is coming to Apple TV. While the film is already long at over two and a half hours, it never feels too long. They should have left the scenes from the cutting room floor in it. Regardless, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the film. And it does a remarkable job of whetting your appetite for more information about the Emperor himself.

When it comes to the character of Napoleon, Phoenix once again demonstrates why he’s one of the more underrated actors in Hollywood. He builds the character so expertly that you find yourself wanting him to succeed, even though he is more than a little bit of a tyrant. The only thing that is distracting however, is Phoenix’s lack of a French accent. Hollywood has gone back to the days of avoiding fake accents, but in this case it takes away from the performance.

Even a slight accent would have helped viewers believe they were watching Napoleon on the screen instead of an American actor. It will more than likely end up being the reason why he doesn’t win any awards for the role. Kirby’s performance has the same issue, albeit having a British accent instead of a French one. Otherwise she shines on the screen, as a good counterpart to Phoenix.

There of course has been a lot of discussion already on the historical accuracy of Napoleon, but what viewers need to keep in mind is that the film is a work of historical fiction, and not a documentary. If you are looking for facts, read a book or watch one of the many documentaries on his life. The film is meant for enjoyment, and to tell a story, and not to recap his life. While it does hit the beats and the highlights, for dramatic reasons certain things were changed.

Napoleon looks great on the big screen, and it certainly keeps viewers entertained from start to finish. While there are a few things that prevent it from being a truly great film, it’s still good for what it is, and film goers should still enjoy it.