The consensus is firmly positive, with critics praising Michael Mann’s combination of romantic adventure, forceful action and careful historical detail. Daniel Day-Lewis draws repeated approval as Hawkeye, giving the heroism enough conviction to carry the old-fashioned storytelling. The battle scenes attract particular praise for their staging and physical intensity, while the landscapes, visual style and sound help make the frontier setting persuasive. Several reviews also credit the film with sustaining feeling amid the fighting.
The differences concern how readily critics accept the solemn romance and relentless force. Radio Times finds the dialogue too contemporary for the setting, despite admiring the spectacle. The Los Angeles Times argues that Mann’s intensity comes at the expense of gentler qualities. The New Yorker is more sceptical about the film’s seriousness and mythmaking, though it still finds the result stirring and enjoyable. The spread is chiefly one of enthusiasm rather than opposing verdicts.