 |
|
|
|
| | | |
| MatchFlick Member Reviews |
All Movie Info
Starring:
Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, Richard McCabe, Robert Pugh, David Threlfall, Chris Larkin, Lee Ingleby, George Innes, Richard Stroh, Richard Stroh, James DArcy, Mark Lewis Jones, Max Benitz, John DeSantis, Ian Mercer, Max Pirkis, Jack Randall, Thierry Segall, Edward Woodall
Directed By:
Peter Weir
|
|
|
| |
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
 email this review to a friend
Movie Review by Justin 
March 5th, 2006
|  |
Inspired more by historical mindfulness than by the Hollywood dollar, Peter Weir's epic is handsome, bold, and uncommonly intelligent. The picture is mounted on familiar notions of friendship, honor, and loyalty, but it works in and through these themes in decidedly natural ways -- 'what happens next' is persistently hard to anticipate. The picture is actually most compelling for what it lacks, traditionally speaking. Set during the Napoleonic wars, it is about battle and wartime strategy, but there is nary a human foe to find. But this brand of battle is itself unique; the fight is figured more in the minds and souls of the men than on the bloody decks anyway. This film is awash with surprising intellect and a curiously compelling narrative; curious because it doesn't condescend to uninformed audiences. It is bracing, meticulously beautiful, and delightfuly spirited. Much could be said for the performances, the set design, the costumes, the scoring, etc. I could go on an on, but how about one word: perfect. Yes, perfect. Probably the best studio film of the past five years. (Let the debates begin).
email this review to a friend
Comment on this Review:
Sorry, you must be a member to add comments to reviews.
Join or Login. |
 Subscribe to MatchFlick Movie Reviews through RSS
|
