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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
"The Best Movie Of The Year!"-A.O. Scott, The New York Times
The fate of an empire rests on the shoulders of one man. Academy Award winner Russell Crowe commands the screen in this spectacular, high-seas adventure directed by Peter Weir.
After a sneak attack by a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his vessel, Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Crowe) is torn between duty and friendship as he embarks on a thrilling, high-stakes chase across two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy at any cost.
Member Reviews
Great Acting - LilyandMick
Russell is always the best actor for his strong demeanor which fits perfectly into his powerfull roll. This was one of his best movie that shows he can act very well and make a difference in the beautiful movie. This movie couldn't been this good without his presence.Loved it ! - Slugster
Master and Commander succeeds not so much in the fact that it has an exceptional plot, but in the fact that it carries the viewer along on its voyage exceptionally. It follows the voyage of Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubrey sailing for the English empire while being chased by a French vessel during the Napoleonic Wars. It's not an entirely innovative or original plot, but it's the experience rather than the plot that drives this movie. The chemistry between the characters and strong performances by all is what make it an exceptional movie. Rather than casting good-looking Hollywood types as crew members, Peter Weir went after people who look like believable seamen who are also great actors in their own right. The cast even had a sort of boot camp training so that everyone knew how to make the ship function. It is this attention to detail that make the movie so believable and enjoyable. Rather than indulging itself in melodrama and Hollywood type moral-based clichés, this film pulls no punches about how it perceives the workings of a British Naval ship to function in the early 19th century. It simply bleeds authenticity at every corner. Excellent performances by Crowe and his doctor right-hand-man played by Paul Bettany only add to the thrill.
The film also has a great original and non-original score which makes it flow perfectly. The interaction between the ship members is what makes it a success. Though 2+hours may seem like a long time to spend with an all-male cast inside a ship, I was never once bored. Instead, you truly feel like you are in the ship with them and at the end you feel like you would want to follow Russel Crowe's "Captain Jack" virtually anywhere he would lead.One of the best historical epics to date: ****1/2 stars - Lone_Wolf
The main reason I love Master and Commander is that despite the fact that there are only two battles, I still was very much kept stimulated and engaged, as if I were living on the boat. It shows all manor of life on a Man of War, from the conditions on deck to the many characters and officers you would deal with. I love Jack Aubry, the captain, and the way he commands his ship. Half the fun of this movie is just watching his character and the difficult decisions he has to make. He is a great model for what a leader should be.
The acting was top notch, the historical accuracy is unprecedented, and the many varied characters and situations always kept me interested and involved, as I said above. I also said there are only two battles; however, these two battles are absolutely and terrifyingly incredible. They are intense, horrifying, and full of a violent yet oddly controlled energy (the controlled chaos of battle). In the battles the deafening cannon fire shakes the room, and the sound of cannon balls ripping through the haul of the ship perforates your ears. The sound design, even when there were no battles, is astonishing. There is always the constant sound of the ocean all around you, and the amazing effect of footsteps above. Again, it makes you feel like you are on the ship. The entire movie is an incredibly involving period piece.
Overall, many will object to me rating it so highly, but I simply cannot ignore it. I love the dynamic characters and their daily interactions on the ship. I love the way it shows both what life is like on a typical day on the ship, while at the same time having a sense of urgency in that they have to catch up with, and capture or destroy, the rival enemy ship. It is a meticulously made film, and every detail has been carefully scrutinized. Some do not enjoy this film at all, but on some level it just clicks with me, which is why I seem to adore Master and Commander so much.
9.0
Member Reviews
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Great Acting - LilyandMick
Russell is always the best actor for his strong demeanor which fits perfectly into his powerfull roll. This was one of his best movie that shows he can act very well and make a difference in the beautiful movie. This movie couldn't been this good without his ...Loved it ! - Slugster
Master and Commander succeeds not so much in the fact that it has an exceptional plot, but in the fact that it carries the viewer along on its voyage exceptionally. It follows the voyage of Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubrey sailing for the English empire while being ...One of the best historical epics to date: ****1/2 stars - Lone_Wolf
The main reason I love Master and Commander is that despite the fact that there are only two battles, I still was very much kept stimulated and engaged, as if I were living on the boat. It shows all manor of life on a Man of War, from the conditions on deck ...