An intricate examination of the life of Temudjin and his journey to becoming Genghis Khan, Sergei Bodrov’s Mongol awes with gorgeous imagery, visceral battles, and powerful storytelling. As epic as the film feels though, it leaves you with the desire for more – both in the jumps in the Khan’s ascent to ruler and in his reshaping of a kingdom once such power is attained.

While many have heard of the historic conquests of Genghis Khan, few probably know the story of his rise to power. In fact, no one probably knows the real story, as historical records of his early life are scarce and often conflicting. But here a grand tale is told, with enough embellishments and creative liberties to portray an honorable leader and the events that shaped his eventual quest to unite a people. Whether any of it is true or not, the hardships, betrayals, vengeance, and warring that Mongol inflicts upon Temudjin makes for entertaining storytelling. The culture and customs of the Mongolian people remain genuine, and such traditions and presentation create the authenticity required to believe in the noble leader and his perilous undertaking.

Though marketed primarily as an action epic, Mongol focuses heavily on the love story that envelopes much of Temudjin’s young adulthood and the tumultuous relationships with other Khans that lead to many of the major conflicts he faces. Continually separated from each other, Temudjin and his wife Borte must alternatingly rescue each other from dire situations, and the film suggests that his wife’s strong character played an important role in the Khan’s decisions. Temudjin’s mission to rescue Borte brings him in contact with Jamukha and through ensuing misunderstandings and backstabbing tactics they eventually become bitter enemies. Though their warring again leaves him apart from Borte, their love transcends anything that might distance them. Revenge and betrayal also play heavily into Temudjin’s tortured childhood and his numerous enemies constantly seek to destroy all that he has accomplished.

While bloody warfare and intense battles are certainly a highlight, the film’s strongest feature lies in exceptional acting by a diverse group of talent. Tadanobu Asano gives a solemn, commanding performance as the Khan plagued by ever more harrowing obstacles and creates a heroic character both intriguing and compelling. His unfaltering wife Borte is played with compassion and power by the understated Khulan Chuluun, and the scene-stealing Honglei Sun provides a villain with intelligence, malevolence, and bouts of crazed lunacy.

Reminiscent of the progression of Kingdom of Heaven, Mongol depicts the wondrous events that lead up to an even more monumental feat, and we’re left with only our preconceived notions and a brief written epilogue that informs us that this is only the beginning. The early life of Genghis Khan that Bodrov has envisioned is fascinating enough that we want to see what happens next, and we might as rumors of a trilogy surface, but for now an epic beginning will have to suffice.

- The Massie Twins