Nomad 2005

Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: It embraces every cliche in the epic-movie playbook, relies too heavily on stale dialogue delivered in somber tones and offers little to its actors besides the opportunity to fashion some great-looking Eurasian costumes. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: The filmmakers don't appear to know what's important, let alone how to pace an epic for big drama and maximum thrills. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: Though it has a familiar inevitability, the journey is generally compelling, thanks to fierce battles, a gorgeous landscape and heartfelt performances. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: While the film has impressive 18th-century trappings and vivid battle scenes, the plotting and acting are rudimentary. Read more

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: Kazakhstan supposedly spent $40 million in making this martial-arts epic. That bought a laughably corny Hollywood B-movie, gorgeous scenery, Hollywood B-actors and extras who plainly weren't members of the Screen Extras Guild. Read more

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Read more

Jean Oppenheimer, Village Voice: With commendable sincerity but also an unfortunate Hollywood veneer, Nomad is a poor man's Gladiator. Read more

Stephen Hunter, Washington Post: The film is stilted and lame. Worse, the acting is as grim as the story is primeval. Read more