Rating: Summary: A Surprisingly Good Movie Review: When a friend first told me about this movie, I thought it was Robert Redford trying to make a return to the screen. But after watching the movie, I can honestly say, it was one of the best Robert Redford movies I've seen in a long time. Robert Redford was phenominal in his role as a Army General who sentenced for ten years at the Castle, for disobeying a direct order from the President. James Gandolfini was also very good as the Castle's Commandant. I would highly recommend this movie to any one.
Rating: Summary: Robots Made This Movie Review: To quote the comic book guy from the Simpson - Worst Movie Ever.If you want to see robotic versions of James G. and Robert R., then please check out this movie b/c that's how lifeless and unimpassioned this movie and their acting is. And the script seems like it was simply spit out of a computer simulator, with no human thought or logic given to it at all. All in all, not a bad effort for a bunch of robots and computers, but they still have a ways to go....
Rating: Summary: Good Movie Review: This is one of those movies that make 145 minutes fly by in a flash. Very Entertaining, good action, good acting, good plot = good movie. I would not say that this is a great movie. I would say that this movie is worth seeing.
Rating: Summary: Just another American movie! Review: This is the type of movie that you enjoy your time watching but after it's finished you realize it's not all that! Of course the actors did a good job, the scenes are fine but the plot is very hollow. If you really want to watch a prison movie I'd recommend "Shawshank Redemption". But I see this movie failed the same way "Pearl Harbor" did. In summary, the content is rich but the plot is empty!
Rating: Summary: A welcomed one-way ticket. Review: "I'm under no illusion why the these men are here, Colonel. I just think they might be reminded of some of the good things they've done, rather than only the worst." This and many other emotionally charged lines, serve as the moral basis of Rod Lurie's "The Last Castle," a slam-bang prison drama with a heightened fervor that will have you on the edge of your seat until the blazing, bloody end. Okay, so some of the film's technical details in regards to military intelligence seem farfetched, but its story packs a tremendous wallop while instilling a sense of courage and honor into its heroes, who just happen to be inmates. The good thing about Lurie's film is that it doesn't try to sidestep the fact that these people are criminals, accomplishing this through the newly arrived inmate, formerly saluted as General Eugene Irwin (Robert Redford). Court-marshaled for disobeying an order that resulted in catastrophe, Irwin, sentenced to ten years imprisonment, acknowledges his wrong-doings and has accepted his punishment. Once in prison, called "the castle" by its warden, Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini), Irwin begins questioning Winter's tactics, which range from by the book to outright malicious. After their initial meeting, Irwin becomes an object of mute jealousy for Winter, whose lack of combat experience (not to mention Irwin's mockery of his civil war relics) is fuel for his harsh treatment of select prisoners. At first, the other inmates beckon with Irwin to discuss Winter's actions with his political connections on the outside, but Irwin will have none of it. That is, until he becomes the next select prisoner, made an example by Winter to show the inmates that he is no different than them. Thus begins the battle of wills, played out with terrific gusto by Redford and Gandolfini. As Irwin, Redford is pretty much putting on that old Redford charm once again, but it's never looked or sounded better. He endows his character with all the brazen charm and suitably in-your-face dialogue needed for the audience to stick with him in his struggle. Gandolfini is outstanding as Winter, his character's corrupt ideals lighting the fire for the film's terrifically charged third act, in which Irwin leads the inmates in an uprising meant to overthrow the balance of power and have Winter removed from his position of command. It is here that the movie suffers its few pitfalls, due to logical faults as a result of fluid storytelling. For instance, one might question the way in which the inmates are herded into the courtyard while the remainder of the guards search their cells, but it works if you think of it in terms of Winter exercising his morbid thirst for power in an attempt to shut down Irwin's operation. As the action increases, Lurie's film takes on a tremendous amount of intensity; the predictability factor of Irwin's step-by-step plan is an attribute, taking us right where we want to go without hesitation or loss of interest. It's not as deep as a film like "The Shawshank Redemption," and some may find it jingoistic, but "The Last Castle" benefits from a lucid and effective plot, to say nothing of the stellar cast, both lead and supporting. The undertakings of the film's first act may not have a clear destination, but once it gets going, it's a welcomed one-way ticket aimed at morality issues surrounding American patriotism in battle against corruption. That key line ("I'm under no illusion..."), above all others, sells us on the story's moralistic center, as well as providing a reason for the film to exist at all.
Rating: Summary: Robert Redford's portrayal makes this film alot of fun. Review: Many reveiwers slamed this when it came out,but Rod Lurie makes this film watchable , mind you this is no Saving Private Ryan where as soon as you saw the opening scene you knew it had patriotism all over it.It, is just simply a very fun film to watch,because filmgoers love to watch a film with two men who are very diffrent and suddenly clash in battle it worked for Gladiator.When Ret.General Irwin is sent to The Castle to serve his sentence he mainly wishes to be left alone when the warden played by (James Gandolfini)askes him what does his wish his time in the fortress to benifit him , Irwin simply replys he just want's to finish his time and go home. But when Irwin sees the conflict within the fortress he soon decides that the warden is not exactly going to make any convict's time pleasent , when they use an abnormal way to punish a soldier the General say's enough is enough and decides to be a leader to the men,the warden realizes that he is making a legion of his own they start to punish Irwin but what the warden forget's is you just don't become a 3 star General without knowing pain and survival the warden also dose not realize is that he a much higher rank and is a true soldier. Irwin decides to give the men what they want unity and someone to lead them to take over The Castle and get the warden out.So he prepares the men for battle a war to get their dignaty back.He teaches them to build catipults and fire bombs he teaches them roman battle techniques that are old but they still work for taking a castle.He teaches them how to fight like a legion as the warden see's his precious castle being taken down like so many before his Irwin risks his own life to fly the flag that is the way and the simbol of the victory. Not many options but a very fun movie the battle scenes are quite impressive and Robert Redford and Gandolfini work well together it's a fun movie and well acted.
Rating: Summary: three for the movie 2 for Redford acting Review: I'm sorry, but Redford's acting style seems dated or something, he's just not believable. When the main character gives you this feeling, it's tough to enjoy the story. The rest of it's not bad, but I expected more somehow. I'll spare you the re-hash of the story.... If your on the fence and want to see Redford, by all means, just don't get your hopes up.
Rating: Summary: I was rooting for this one from the opening scenes BUT Review: I'm surprised by the rave reviews here. This movie had so many plot holes it was like a sieve. And I have to say up front that I really, really WANTED to like this one, since it starred two of my favorite actors (Gandolfini and Redford) and had a vision of idealism, patriotism and duty that is laudable. Set in a military prison, the whole film centers on General Irwin (played by Redford) a career military man who made one mistake, defying a Presidentail order, although he did it with the best of intentions. He comes to the prison with his reputation intact and he is seen as a mythic figure by most of the men, including Colonial Winter (Gandolfini) who is in charge of the prision. Although Winter wants to remain on good terms with Irwin, they're fated to clash, since Irwin has no sympathy for Winter's brutal, often deadly methods of controlling the prisoners. Eventually Irwin decides to take over the prison and request Winter's resignation. And that's when the movie starts to break down. I didn't believe for a moment that this group of prisoners, even military prisoners, could assemble the arsenal of sophisticated weapons these men did, from catapaults to fire bombs. They used their lunch trays as shields against bullets and massive attacks of water hoses. I couldn't suspend my belief and accept that. Bullets, even rubber bullets, would have gone penetrated those flimsy lunch trays. We're not talking weapons grade shields here. Not only that but the ENTIRE plan for a takeover depended on the weapons working with near perfection the one time they needed to - no practice runs, no allowances for errors. Uh-uh, I thought to myself. Only in Hollywood. Redford and Gandolfini give it their all but I think the script and logic behind it wasn't top notch. In spite of their best efforts, it just didn't come together.
Rating: Summary: "The Last Castle" is action-packed and emotional!! Review: "The Last Castle" is among one of the best prison dramas that I have ever seen since...ever! It is so thrilling, so entertaining that you would have to see it again and again! And Robert Redford's performance just couldn't be better! "The Last Castle" focuses on General Eugene Irwin (Redford) a three-star general who is being sent to a military prison for defying a presidential order, but did so heroically. There, he meets Colonel Winter (an excellent James Gandolfini), who has the utmost amount of respect for the general. Winter is a man who has never seen combat, and when Irwin sneeks a peek at Winter's battlefield memorabilia, that's when we know that they won't be seeing eye to eye for a long time. The other inmates, among them are Mark Ruffalo as the prison booky, Yates, decide to go to the general about the treatment of the prison. And that's when the real war begins! General Irwin rallied up the other prisoners into taking over the prison as a result of protesting the sadistic colonel/warden's abuse of his power. In a way, it's World War III...but inside of a prison! "The Last Castle" has it all, action, drama, great storytelling, and a top-notch cast that's hard to beat! This is a DVD must-own to your collection! Truly one of the best Robert Redford movies ever!
Rating: Summary: Dont listen to the critics, its great!!! Review: This movie is simpley great. It is entertaining, and fun. The cast is amazing. It stars two great actors,Robert Redford, and James Gandolfini. If you want to see a good movie, with two great actors in it,go see The Last Castle
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