The Shawshank Redemption

Rating:
Summary: Superb, immensely entertaining debut from Darabont.
Review: All Hollywood films should be this good. Without a doubt one of the most purely entertaining films in recent memory, "The Shawshank Redemption" stands out not as a good prison drama, a good drama, a well-written film, or anything of that sort. It's not a distinguishable film, and indeed it may not be highly remembered in the annals of history, because its accomplishments have been done before. That, however, would be a shame, because "The Shawshank Redemption" is one hell of a movie, and a fine example of pure Hollywood filmmaking.

The story is relatively simple: Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) gets convicted for two murders he didn't commit, and ends up in Shawshank Prison, where he languishes, having various adventures on the way. He also meets Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), who helps him on the way, and sooner or later, becomes Andy's closest friend. The two share an uncommon bond, and the film gradually explores the relationship of these two men.

The performances of everybody, from Robbins and Freeman to character actors such as James Whitmore, are absolutely fantastic. I don't think I've ever seen Robbins or Freeman better, and they are certainly the highlights. Darabont directs with a sure hand, and has quite a few memorable moments etched in his screenplay, which is an outstanding work. He lets his actors due their thing, focusing on them more than anything else, and lets this plot just develop. It's a great thing to watch this one unfold.

You can complain about the "pleasantness" of prison. You can complain about how the prisoners don't age at all during the film. You can complain about Darabont's tendency to show the viewers everything at all, about how his film may have too much dialogue, how it may be too long, or how you've just seen the film before a long time ago. You can even say that it is highly derivative, with good performances, but a plot that has been time tested. Hell, you could complain about anything in the world, for that matter. I frankly don't, if you'll pardon the French, give a damn. For me, and hundreds of other devoted fans, "The Shawshank Redemption" is one highly entertaining film that grabs the viewer, and brings him on a superbly paced journey into the land of hope. The ultimate feel-good movie in a year of feel-good movies, and one of the best examples of pure entertainment, "The Shawshank Redemption" is gold. Could it ever happen? Probably not. But "The Shawshank Redemption" reminds you that film is not meant to always be plausible. Sometimes movies take you to another dimension, another world, where everything isn't supposed to make sense, but it does. Sometimes movies are supposed to transport you to a time and place so great, you don't want to leave. This is one of those movies. Simply amazing.

Rating:
Summary: Great plot twists
Review: The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite movies. The first time I watched it, it kept me guessing till the end. Anybody who likes movies with plot twists should like this.

Rating:
Summary: never miss this one!!
Review: it was so great that it still give me a lot of spiritual energy. it shows that living with a hope is so important through one's life. if you've never seen it, just try it now!!!

Rating:
Summary: Most heartwarming film of the 1990s
Review: The reason I saw this movie was that it was the last one out of five of the Best Picture nominees in 1994. I absolutely loved the movie. Every part of it was just excellent and warm. After seeing it, I bought the book (w/ 4 novellas, including Apt Pupil and The Body -- inspired Stand By Me) and the soundtrack. I wish that this film would have been honored with at least one Academy Award in 1994. Instead of giving an Academy Award to Morgan Freeman for a tremendously difficult performance, the powers that be gave the award to Tom Hanks for Forrest Gump in, let's face it, a caricaturish role. I know many people who count The Shawshank Redemption as one of their favorite movies. Get busy living, or get busy dying. That's what I always say.

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular!
Review: This movie is exciting. It leaves you with a good feeling when you are done watching it.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful story
Review: One of the best films I have ever seen. A perfect story showing how the human spirit truly cannot be caged...a must see! END

Rating:
Summary: WOW! Brilliant movie!
Review: This review is going to be quite short, as I don't have time to write a full review as I'd like to. As a fan of comedies such as American Pie and South Park, I have to say that I was suspicious when our college english class had to watch this movie. I didn't think it would be fun at all. However, when the movie was over, I wanted to see it again. Unlike many other movies like it (i.e., Titanic), it is not cliche; it is very original, and unpredictable (you never seem to suspect that Andy is going to escape). All characters are developed, and the plot and ending are very satisfying. The theme is not necessarily noticable from a mile off, which deals with having hope even in the most hopeless of situations (like being in a prison). The story draws you in from start to finish. Well done! (also, for those of you who are appalled that I mentioned Titanic in a less than perfect light, I'd like to say this openly: TITANIC SUCKED!! It was the epitome of cliche and predictibility; everything that happened you could see from a mile off, the characters were lame and SAPPY, as you can expect when Leonardo DeCaprio is in the cast, and the story was all over the place. Easily one of the worst 10 movies I've ever seen).

Rating:
Summary: Review of a review
Review: Whoever wrote the following review, I've got to hand it to you for almost pulling my leg. This is funny stuff, I actually thought you were serious at first. I'm sure they're many ninnies who will put their DVD copy in now and think there's something wrong. Keep it up.

Anyhoo, The Shawshank Redemption is a great piece of work. Better on DVD than in the theaters (unless you get to take that special someone to the last row . Buy it if your internet connection just happens to be down. Of course that last statement was a joke.

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My third submission on this, if you are doubtful, check for yourself. I own the VHS of Shawshank. I recently purchased a DVD player and Shawshank was one of my first disks. I set both the disk and the tape up to play simultaneously, and flipped back and forth to compare the superb quality improvement of DVD. I was in for a surprise. The picture DOES NOT get wider-AS IT SHOULD-and the top and bottom of the picture of the DVD version are ERASED and replaced by the black bars. The other movie I found with this flaw is Jackie Brown. Check out the point where Bridget Fonda "services" Robert DeNiro. On the VHS widescreen version , her "buns" disappear. They are fully visable on the fullscreen version! The top and bottom have been erased on the widescreen version and the picture does not get any wider. I suspect more movies have this flaw. Now that we know what to look for, let's look!
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Rating:
Summary: Moving story of friendship
Review: What strikes me most about this movie, is that friendship can be struck up anywhere, even in the most terrible of places such as prison.
I did love that the fact that Tim Robbins character escaped from the prison after so many years, you could feel the triumph surge around you when you realised he had managed it!
This is one of those great movie moments.
But the lasting memory I will have is the helping and comradeship that exists, especially in an unjust environment, between people thrown together, living in dreadful conditions.
A gritty movie, superbly filmed, that sustains a high level of interest and anticipation throughout.
If you love a good drama or prison movie you will love this.

Thanks for reading


Rating:
Summary: Was a great movie - until Robbins opened his mouth
Review: I really enjoyed this movie when I first watched it, as I did most movies with Tim Robbins. I just wish that he kept his politics to himself and not used his celebrity to amplify them. Nothing wrong with free speech- but actors generally have more media attention than the millions of fans they have. When was the last time CNN asked you about whether you liked a candidate, or policy?

Anyway, Tim Robbins is a great actor, but I can't get the image of him telling me how to think out of my head when I see him act now- and that has ruined a lot of movies for me.