In the post-Sept. 11 world, few filmmakers are bold enough to make a big-budget epic about political and religious power struggles in the Middle East. Yet bold film-making is the specialty of Ridley Scott ("Gladiator"), the director of the Crusades film, "Kingdom of Heaven." Scott masterfully intertwines the sharp themes surrounding the Crusades with his own knack for evocative imagery and epic storytelling making "Kingdom of Heaven" a truly worthwhile film.

Set between the second and third Crusades, when Christians controlled Jerusalem, "Heaven" centers on Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom, "Elizabethtown"), the legendary knight who was once the sole defender of the Christian Jerusalem against the siege of superior Muslim forces. In expressing its artistic freedom, the film has Balian as a simple blacksmith thrust into knighthood by the dying wish of his father, Godfrey (Liam Neeson, "Batman Begins"). Balian fights the war-mongering of the power hungry Knights Templar and stays true to his people even when the pacifist King Baldwin IV passes away and the rogue Guy de Lusignan assumes the throne.

Though the story it tells is slightly convoluted and indeed a liberal interpretation of historical events, "Heaven" presents a strong argument against fanaticism in the name of religion from all denominations, a theme still alive today. In the film, extremists from both sides are more or less the same; troublemakers who let their wish for power jeopardize the safety of thousands of people. Ironically, the misguided battle cry of both sides in the film is the same: "God wills it!"

Perhaps prematurely cast into a leading role, Bloom nonetheless handles his part well. He has the command and grace he lacked in "Troy" and relevance he lacked in "The Lord of the Rings." With these, he presents his sword-toting gladiator with a touch of humanity while maintaining the overall aura of grandeur the film strives for. The supporting cast too is top notch, headlined by Neeson, Jeremy Irons ("The Merchant of Venice") and Edward Norton ("Fight Club").

The DVD features hours of commentary from the cast and crew that is captivating to fans and history buffs alike. The two documentaries included, A&E's "Movie Real: Kingdom of Heaven" and The History Channel's "History vs. Hollywood: Kingdom of Heaven" are both fascinating historical and logistical explanations of the finer points of the film. Even those who find the film over-bearing will likely appreciate the facts presented in these two documentaries.

Insightful, entertaining and at times sentimental, "Heaven" is certainly the best fantasy epic of the year so far. Featuring stunning visual effects and heart-pumping action sequences, all tied together by composer Harry Gregson-Williams's singular score, "Heaven" is an entertaining and insightful, albeit historically inaccurate, addition to the epic film cannon.

Film: 4 stars

Picture/Sound: 4 stars

Features: 4 stars