Floris

This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. First the script is about average, should contain some humor, but I could not even raise a smile. Second the editing of the movie is done very very bad. Maybe that is also one of the reasons why it's a bad movie. Third the acting is very bad, even one of the better actress's Linda van Dijk is playing one of her worst roles. OK, comparing this film with the original TV series can not be made, but watching the DVD few years ago, I still think that series can pass the test of time, this movie can't. I also hesitated about stop watching the movie halfway, but had hope it would end better, but it was a waste of time and money. If someone really wants to watch it, hire it, but don't buy it. Cees

To me this movie was a nice little surprise, I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. The movie is fun and adventurous and surpassed my expectations on several fronts.

The movie is cleverly written by Gerard Soeteman who manages to put in some good jokes and funny witty dialog. Soeteman also was responsible for writing all of Paul Verhoeven's Dutch movies and the TV-series "Floris" starring Rutger Hauer on which this movie is based. Of course this movie is nothing like the black & white TV-series from the late '60's that launched the career for both actor Rutger Hauer and director Paul Verhoeven but than again, this movie doesn't pretend to be like the TV-series. The movie is set in a different time-period and even though all of the characters are meant to be granddaughters and grandsons of the original characters from the TV-series, this movie and its characters feel good and original on its own. It's like all the characters had gotten a modern refreshing remake. The villains are deliciously stereotypical evil, dumb and just totally over-the-top. Yes, the movie does also feature a love-story but in this case it is totally not distracting at any moment and is handled nicely.

This movie has Dutch written all over it. I mean when persons are fighting in a mill while they are throwing cheeses at each other, you know you're watching a movie set in The Netherlands. Also of course weed is a thing not to be missed in a Dutch movie, this one included. Most of the jokes are 'inside jokes' that I'm sure only Dutch adults will notice and appreciate but I seriously laughed out loud at some moments. I think an international audience will not appreciate this movie as much as Dutch people will.

The story is simple so that also the young ones will be able to follow and appreciate this fun adventurous movie. The fights and sword fights might be a bit of a disappointing thing of the movie but all the fun characters and the cleverly written jokes compensate for this and make you forget the weak story and the just totally ridicules moments. I enjoyed this movie from start to finish and was pleasantly surprised by it all.

Another thing that surely surpassed my expectations was the acting. Especially Michiel Huisman, Victor Löw and Daan Schuurmans were truly excellent! I truly enjoyed their performances in this movie. It's quite unique for me to say that I enjoyed persons acting performances in a Dutch movie, so I think that says a lot about this movie!

Even though it is notable that this movie hasn't got a major budget, the movie stills manages to create a little epic feeling, due to the nice and beautiful settings. It gives the movie a wonderful adventurous feeling and atmosphere.

(especially towards the Dutch people here) You should give this movie a chance! It really surprised me how incredible lighthearted fun this movie was. Fun adventurous entertainment from start till finish!

7/10

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About Floris I draw a comparison with The Pirates of the Caribean which I personally found a very bad movie with Johnny Depp (and he is not a bad actor at all) as a drug addict queer Pirate. Floris is technically not bad at all and so was The Pirots. So I don't think this is the worst movie of Jean van de Velde (director). Slowly dutch directors climb to a level of British and American filmmakers. Nice special effects and perfect light and a good cast. That characters like Floris Sr (Rob Lowe) are flat and clumsy is understandable. Because again the bad script(s) (p.e.: the Beach with Leo diC; bad script and also bad book) gets me on my nerves. And the following explanation is only understanding by Dutch people but the script has a high 'Bassie en Adriaan' value. Al those proverbs, stupid jokes refer to the modern times, or in the break of a play advertising for soap to clean clothes, no, no, no not funny. It makes it ridiculous and childish. A big chapeau for Pi (Birgit Schuurman) who has never acted. And Floris jr. (Michiel Huisman) has the same charisma as the old Floris (Rutger Houwer) at that time. You can not use modern music in a movie about the Middle Ages it's horrible and makes it unreal. Once in a while I recognized the old Floris music which made the old Floris movie just more exciting and could be better used in certain scenery's. And when there ever will be a continuing story of "Floris in China" please may I read the script first?

Although the original Floris series was on the air way before my time, I have watched these black-and-white episodes on video several times because they have their nostalgic qualities (even if you don't particularly like Rudger Hauer, which I don't). I had been looking forward to "Floris the movie", because I sincerely hoped to find in it the same nostalgic qualities, mixed with all of the achievements of modern-day cinematography.

Alas, I have been deeply disappointed. Shallow, silly, tasteless and without a proper plot to support the actors. What total, utter crap!!! Not a bad idea to have a female version of the original Sindela, but where is the romance à la Burt Lancaster in his pirate movies? And what's with the shitty outfit - can't we do better now that film business in the Netherlands has matured? No, no, no, I know some of the actors could have done better. A missed opportunity, to say the least.

I am a great fan of the original Floris from 1969. I was very pleased when the announced that there was coming a new Floris. But this product is terrible. The bad characters are completely over the top and has noting to do white the middle ages at all. When the film was in in the movie I did see some pieces and was already afraid of the product. Now I have rented is in the videostore, and I am very glad that I didn't bought is. What a wast of time and money. I really hope that there will be no sequel on this film. Or it hat to be white a complete new crew an part new cast. The only realistic role is that of Victor Lowe, Floris the father. He is the only normal people in the whole move. Other Karakters like Van Rossum Jr. is more a Harry Potter figure than a Floris figure.