Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: I first saw this film at the nudging of a friend. I wasn't sure what to expect, other than good visual effects. I was pleasantly surprised by this film.I know a man who was a commercial fishing boat captain for over 10 years off the east coast of the United States. he told me that this movie made him cry because it seemed so real. In the days of visual effects and breath taking computer images we can easily forget the story lines. These actors accurately portrayed commercial fisherman. The reality of failing families and marriages was accurately portrayed. The concept of being more comfortable at sea than back on land is a reality for so many commercial fishermen these days. The visual effects were nothing really special when compared to other highly computerized films. But they were still good. I thought that the character development could have been done a little better, but it was good enough for the film and good enough to get the audience into the film. This is one of those films that if you can't relate to the characters, you probably won't enjoy much. There are long scenes at sea that turned many off of the film. Many aspects of this movie are 100% accurate and others that are a little far stretched. I enjoyed this film, but certainly understand if others can't say the same.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A RIDE!
Review: What an "edge-of-your-seat" movie!
Rating: 
Summary: DREADFULY UNINVOLVING
Review: Sebastian Unger's wonderfully researched and written non-fiction bestseller about captain Billy Tyne's swordfishing boat Andrea Gail facing a monster storm off Gloucester, Massachusetts in the autumn of 1991 has been turned into a lackluster melodrama with unappealing characterizations and only occasionally impressive special effects. George Clooney's Tyne is a dour, veteran fisherman who has had a run of disappointing catches. In the movie version of reality, he clearly makes poor judgement calls that eventually lead to the deaths of all on board, including himself. Bummer. Wolfgang Peterson ("Das Boot") does not deliver the full-throttle action film the posters proclaim. Although the special effects are serviceable and in some cases eye-popping, there's never a moment when one forgets it's all fake; sets, props, miniatures and computer generated images. That said, it's the surround sound that really connects with a super realistic sense of a monstrous raging sea. In fact, in some ways the movie's better if you close your eyes for the last hour and picture it in your head! While this film really lacks any actual drama or characterization, it is still amazing to witness the level of digital manipulation available to the filmmaker. The luminous Diane Lane is wasted in a nothing part. Mark Wahlberg does his best as a hard working blue collar guy with a dream of a better life. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is a rival fisherperson who has had a run of good luck and a never explained "friendship" with Clooney's unappealing Tyne. Even though we meet the main characters in a lengthy, and very formula set-up, the more we know, the less we care. The rooting interest is very low, leaving the final extended storm sequence devoid of any emotional involvement. Sadly, the sense of terror is detached. The DVD is loaded with special features including three behind the scenes documentaries and three richly informed feature length commentaries (filmmaker/author/craftsperson). There's also conceptual art and a storyboard galleries and much more. These additions make this disc almost worth renting for the true, effects geek videophile.
Rating: 
Summary: "It's not the fish you're buying....
Review: ...it's men's lives." So says Sir Walter Scott and after watching this film, those words will mean even more. As many reviewers have stated, the film does lack a little in variety when it comes to the characterizations. However, the accuracy of the fishing industry, boats, the ocean, etc. is almost perfect. The only really annoying flaw was having lightning on the ocean. I liked how the film-makers stayed close to the original novel by Sebastian Junger--which provides a very accurate, interesting, and informative account of the story. I love ocean fishing, so I especially liked how they focused on the routines of baiting the hooks and adding the illuminating lights. The visual effects of the water, the clouds, and the boat were terrific! I have to warn you though: If your a person who is already a little uneasy about the ocean, after watching this, you many never want to go for boat ride! Thanks for reading.
Rating: 
Summary: big wave but book better
Review: this film is ok there is big big wave but book is better. book has more detale an d more going on. but its a good film if you like action and advantur. so if you like some excitement, see this film. eef you like to read good book, red this book. thankyou
Rating: 
Summary: Tasteless
Review: A fine example of what happens when real events are tortured into the shape of a Hollywood blockbuster. Corny and inaccurate characterization, fictitious events, textbook plotting, and James Horner's typically inane score are all called upon to wring sympathy from the audience and to while away the first hour until the storm - the only reason for this film's existence - actually hits. When it does, it's amazing. Rendered in mind-blowing CGI, it is utterly spectacular. But this very spectacle actually works against the film: as depicted, the storm is so fierce and so realistic that you simply cannot believe anyone would even be able to STAND UP on the boat, let alone climb atop the bridge to fix the antenna, attempt to board up the windows, or have time for heartfelt goodbyes - not with the ship lurching at what looks like 89 degrees in 300 knot winds with 4000 cubic liters of water crashing onto the deck every three seconds. It was just too much to take. Sure, it looks great. But is that the only point? Perhaps it is. In any case, there's something a little tasteless about the whole affair. The film is based on true story. To embellish the tragedy with spurious story elements, imaginary conflicts, and fantasized romances as a means of packaging 60 minutes of CGI for the summer 'event film' market - and then to have the gall to promote it as a 'true story' - may well have been a savvy bit of marketing, but it strikes me as more than a little distasteful.
Rating:
Summary: A local view...
Review: The Perfect Storm was a great action movie with some wonderful photography. It would have been nice if the owner of the vessels (Andrea Gail and Hannah Bowden) had been portrayed in truer form however.
Loved the REAL people and places in the opening of the movie! Also, interviews and local shots are a great addition on the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect BOMB
Review: Man oh man! What a BAD movie! Do you hate films that have no intelligence? This movie is one you should stay away from. Not only is it overly cheesey, but it will make you stupid. (More stupid if you liked it). They try to tie in sentimental sub-plots, but they don't make sense. A kid cries, which is the most pathetic child-acting job in the world. It's not the kid's acting that is at fault, but the writer and director for letting it happen. They make these people out as heros. HEROS. Ok, whatever. Nothing is real, all tid-bits of dialog are dumbed down for the lower intelligence, for that's how movies make money. A good pointer to add is that the director did NOT use one REAL swordfish during the making of this. Did you think Air force One was stupid? This is worse. Good day.
Rating:
Summary: No justice for the characters but still watchable.
Review: "The Perfect Storm" (2000) The Perfect Storm scored a lot of attention with people all-round. Critics might've went to see it for review purposes and to check out the awesome cast. Grandparents and senior citizens might've checked it out for the true story buzz. Teenagers would've went to see it because of the "hot guys" and incredible special effects. Because of all the great aspects of the film attracting viewers from all round, this became one of the most anticipated movies of 2000, so I was expecting to be entertained through the film. I was rewarded with some greatly tense and thoroughly entertaining sequences, but unfortunately The Perfect Storm has flaws that cannot be overlooked. For example, the families of those who died out there on the sea are actually trying to sue the film company for their horrid character depiction. I can see why. The characters in The Perfect Storm are usually extremely angry for no reason at all, or just fishing heaps. This is especially the case with George Clooney's character, who is supposed to be the 'hero.' I don't know if this is due to bad character development or bad acting, but I know Clooney barely ever gives us a bad performance so it had to be something to do with the script. Fortunately, John C. Reilly's likeable screen family man is a saving grace in the script department. He's probably the only person I felt for out there on the ship. There are also heaps of corny lines, and by the time the storm gets on to the screen you might've already lost interest. I mean, the characters fish for about 40 minutes. After a while it's like, okay, I don't need lessons with putting my rod out, just get to the bloody storm we all came to see! Thankfully, the all-star cast, strong direction, booming and realistic sound effects and utterly incredible visuals save this movie. Clooney isn't particularly likeable as I said before, and this is not of his career highpoints. Mark Wahlberg is again the sensitive guy who gets into a lot of trouble. He is good in this movie, but Wahlberg, with such great talent, really needs to get some more range. Reilly is a natural, Diane Lane is quite impressive but not really emotional enough, and William Fichtner just does what he always does - pisses me off. Wolfgang Petersen really enjoyed making the movie and he wanted the storm to come across as terrifying, almost unbelievable (if it weren't for the 'based on the true story' tagline I'm sure most audiences would be rolling their eyes and sighing), and damn amazing. Well, Wolfgang, you've certainly succeeded. Seeing these people trying to survive in a storm of tidal waves, CGI waters and lots of stomach churning boat flopping is the most creditable aspect of the movie. The storm is very well done and I have never seen anything quite like it. It is the huge strength of the movie and made it one of the most interesting, scary and nerve-wracking bunch of sequences I've ever seen on film. However, the movie still suffers from some goofs, silly lines and bad character development. That spots The Perfect Storm from being great and puts it down to a disappointing average experience that has a chance of staying with you after viewing. MY GRADE: B-
Rating:
Summary: A Decent Film, Exciting, DVD Picture Quality A Real Plus
Review: The basic summary of the reviews (here at Amazon and in the press) is that this movie had great special effects, but was weak on characters and dialogue. I really beg to differ. Having grown up in a fishing village, I instantly felt at home with many of the characters (except Clooney, more later). The bit parts are played with real craftsmanship; for example, Billy's mother, Bugsy's incipient girlfriend, the old man. They had small parts here, but the biggest part belongs to the storm as it should be. Clooney, as usual, is too weak to carry anything resembling a real character. His speech about the joys of being a sword fish boat captain falls flat, both in terms of the the hackneyed writing and the lame delivery. He's just not much of an actor. (He was by far the least convincing character in "Oh, Brother" as well.) Best just ignore him and look to the rest of the movie. So the characters are mainly good. The special effects are good, although perhaps not great. What makes the movie work is the tension it generates. The perfect storm is ulitmately about a real storm that killed a number of people. It should be judge on how well it recreates the drama of that event and gives you a feel for the incredible fury which mother nature dished out in that storm. I thought it did that rather well, both in terms of the struggle of the men to save the Andrea Gail (the boat of which Clooney is captain), and the rescue of some foolish sailboaters by the Coast Guard. Like the book, the movie is flawed, but entertaining and for the most part realisitic. Recommended.
| 
