Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Widescreen)

 

 

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I have to admit that I am a bit of a sucker for both this time period in general, as well as nautical adventures as a whole. Taken in this context, this film does everything just about right. There is lots of action - from exploding cannon shot tearing mizzenmasts apart, to frenetic hand to hand combat (almost too frenetic - shades of the battle against the Germanians in "Gladitaor"). Lots of gore (two difficult scenes to watch for someone as girlie as me were where a young officer's arm is amputated, and another where the doctor removes a musket ball from his own stomach). Lots of comraderie (the crux of this manifests itself in the friendship between Capt. Aubrey, and the doctor, Maturin, who also played Russell's imaginary bud in "A Beautiful Mind"). Perhaps most impressive, in this day and age of CGI, are the special effects. This was obviously shot on a real ship. I don't know if the ship was actually bobbing on the waves or not, but it sure looked like it was. Obviously there were some computer effects here, but I couldn't catch them. Usually CGI is exposed by its weightlessness (when Spiderman bounds from building to building, he looks like he weighs nothing - and he doesn't in computerland) - however, here, the HMS Surprise doesn't coast through the waves (as in the A&E "Horatio Hornblower" series, or even in "A Perfect Storm" and "Pirates of the Carribbean"), it plows! For 2 hours and 18 miniutes, I believed that I was on the open sea.

The two faults one might find with this film, were to my mind strengths. For one, a lot of time is spent watching the men working. Hauling on this, keeling on that, tying, pulling, and speaking in a language that might as well be foreign. But I love that stuff. There is very little in the way of a musical soundtrack, and the audio is mainly devoted to the constant sounds a ship makes. The creaking of the boards, the sounds of men sleeping in uncofortable bunks, the lonely tolling of a ship's bell. Wonderfully evocative sounds. This will sound great on DVD, and deserves a DTS treatment (when there is a musical score, it is great - mainly punctuated by the duet of cello and violin).

The other fault is that it is hopelessly earnest. Life on the ocean isn't glamorised, but the service is. Aubrey is a man of honour and bravery, who wholeheartedly believes in the service he has devoted his life to. There is never any question that God has ordained England to be on His side against that dastardly Napoleon. It is a time of the perfect english gentleman - genteel and refined on land, yet savage to one's enemy at sea. There is little cynicism in Capt. Jack. His companion, Dr. Maturin does add some balance. He is not 100% devoted to King and country. There are definite shades here of Star Trek - the intrepid captain, being counseled by his somewhat disenfranchised, but brilliant doctor (Star Trek was based on Horatio Hornblower, although I don't recall if there was a doctor in that or not - I have only read one book). Together they argue, debate, and play classical music together.

I am almost loathe to say it, but Russell Crowe has done it again. The man knows how to pick material. I don't know that this is an Oscar-worthy performance but he has yet again strapped himself boldly to a part where he is allowed to carry the film almost entirely on his own. He did it in The Insider, Gladiator, and A Beautiful Mind (and arguably, Proof of Life, which I quite liked, even though no one else did - particularly Dennis Quaid), and he's done it again here.

The film probably isn't perfect. It's not Star Wars. Or Jaws. Or The Godfather. But it is everything you really need from the movies. Solid, fun entertainment.

Now, back to my original warning. Why be wary? Well, they've obviously establishes the premise and characters that could be long running. There could easily be a sequel (or prequel) to this film. Unlike the Matrix, or Back to The Future, which produced not one, but two unnecessary sequels, one easily believes that there are endless adventures in store for Aubrey and Maturin. Why? Well, because this film is based on one of the books by Patrick O'Brien - specifically "The Far Side of the World", which was actually the 10th in the Capt. Jack Aubrey series (the first was entitled "Master and Commander". The film semi-follows the 10th book only but studio execs were wary of the title, so they also used the first one). And there were 10 that followed that one! From what I have read the books are just excellent. So while Miramax-Universal-20th Century Fox (was the movie really that expensive that they needed THREE studios to finance it?!?) may indeed plan a sequel, I don't think I can wait that long. I plan to delve into the first book. But then, what if I like that? Then the second...then the third. And I'm not done until I have read 9,000 pages about the 19th century British navy!!!! Previously I have only read "Commodore Hornblower" and "Mutiny on the Bounty".

What have I got myself into?

Quickly- lots of hype out there, and it is all right! Damn good movie.

Summary: Rusel Crow plays ship captain Lucky Jack aboard the British Frigate Suprise. The scene is set with a battle against a French Frigate with twice the guns, twice the speed and twice the range. The Suprise is quickly defeated. The rest of the movie follows the relentless quest to catch the French ship and get revenge (as well as completing orders). Tons of crew interaction, tons of man vs man, tons of man vs the elements.

The Good: Pretty much everything. This is the best Privateer movie I have ever seen. The acting was award worthy. The cast was perfect. The story was great. You got right into it and forgot about reality. The effects were so good you forgot they were effects, heck I am just assuming there was some digital work done in there, maybe not. Heck to quote a friend: "It's all good but the bad parts" which you can see below.

The Bad: The DVD didn't have much on it besides the Movie. Just the usual commentaries and one of those Made to Make You Go See the Movie featurettes. The movie ends without the story quite coming to a close which was a bit of a disapointment. Not one of those There Will Be a Sequal kind of things, but it leaves the end open.

The Ugly: Hmmm.... I just kept thinking of the Doctor as Hyde from League of Extrodinary Gentlemen and thinking Pipin looks odd tall with huge sideburns. Really not a poblem... but I had to think of something. Oh actually - there is a lot of realistic gore in this, it's all fitting with the movie but as Pandora said at the time "the begining put me off my popcorn"

Overall: I really enjoyed this. This is probably the best movie I have seen in a long time. There isn't much bad to say, pretty much everything is good. Just don't go into it expecting a Swashbuckling Pirate movie. It's more like a War movie at sea. If you don't like gore you may have to squint in a few scenes but other then that, I would call this a must see.

Thank you, dvd delivered promptly and in good shape. Good price, prompt delivery and clean dvd. A pleasure to do business with.

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5.0 out of 5 stars "For England, for home, and for the prize!"
This magnificent, swashbuckling epic takes place during the Napoleonic Wars, aboard the British frigate, HMS Surprise. Read more

Published on Jun 16 2006 by Kona

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent movie
I am a Russell Crowe fan and while sdoe sstrange things, he also makes some great movies. This movie quite good. Read more

Published on Sep 22 2005 by Kevin Nelson

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping swashbuckler with depth
This beautifully filmed movie seamlessly transports the audience to the days of the pirates. Along with the interesting, authentic details (my favourite is the revelation of the... Read more

Published on Sep 20 2005 by Librarian

4.0 out of 5 stars EVERYTHING --& more!!
1. this is THE cute guy movie. from 8 to 80, small, tall, thin or round, this movie will have someone for you. Read more

Published on July 19 2004 by edi

4.0 out of 5 stars Cat and Mouse on the high seas
Set in the Napoleonic Wars of the early nineteeth century, Master and Commander is based on the Patrick O'Brian's historical novels. Read more

Published on July 17 2004 by Virgil

5.0 out of 5 stars Well acted action-adventure film
A definite surprise - I enjoyed this movie much more than I thought I would. Very well acted, especially Paul Bettany as Dr. Read more

Published on July 16 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Best seen on a large screen
There are more than enough great reviews of the movie Master and Commander, and I agree with them: the film itself was an excellent production. Read more

Published on July 15 2004

1.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable and exciting it's NOT
Sorry fellas I gotta keep it real. This film is so incredibly boring it almost put me to sleep.(Like a sweet rocka bye-baby melody)Theres like zero action and like 2 scene... Read more

Published on July 14 2004

2.0 out of 5 stars A Tired Goose Chase
This is a movie that threw away all the potential it had to be at least better than average. We are introduced to Captain Aubrey and his crew, who are chasing down a French ship... Read more

Published on July 11 2004 by Swampsprite

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done and Thoroughly Enjoyable
If you can appreciate a well-done period movie, Master and Commander is a must. There are superbly-filmed action scenes every 15 minutes. Read more

Published on July 11 2004 by prog1224

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