I haven't watched it yet, but my French friend (perhaps unsurprisingly) hated it and thought it was insulting to French history. I watched another review that said it played fast and loose with history, changing a lot even for a Ridley Scott film. A lot of people also seem to be saying that Joaquin is too old for the role and it shows.
I have to admit, all the negativity around the film has made me not really interested in seeing it.
I really got that vibe that they were playing fast and loose with history and was so detached from real french history, you couldnt be more far away. Many of the scenes I would find insulting if I was French, especially with the scenes with his wife and some of the out of context pomp scenes. A huge fail in my book, part of the fare from Hollywood these days. I think only a French Director with French actors could make this film good. It really felt like they had a cowboy playing Napoleon, I wonder if Ridley Scott has even been to France after watching this film.