Rating: 
Summary: Overwrought mystical fantasy
Review: Tim Burton's visually stunning but a bit too drawn out fable Big Fish was actually more deserving of 3 1/2 stars.Pretty boy Billy Crudup playing Will Bloom, a young married reporter estranged from his father Ed Bloom is drawn to his dying dad's bedside to understand the essence of his life. The aged Ed Bloom played marvelously by craggy, jowly, veteran actor Albert Finney was a Alabama based travelling salesman whose life story consisted of a Forrest Gumpian collection of hard to swallow tall tales. Crudup and his wife played by French actress Marion Cotillard are treated to a plethora of these fables narrated by Finney. The young Ed Bloom played by the versatile and likeable Ewan Mc Gregor marches through many improbable life experiences supported by nice performances by among others, Danny DeVito, Helena Bonham Carter, and the weirdo Steve Buscemi. Jessica Lange and Alison Lohman give creditable performances as Ed Bloom's wife Sandra respectively older and younger. The movie loses some of it's luster as it plods on about 1 or 2 stories too long. The ending is somewhat predictable which left my with a slightly vapid, unsatisfying feeling.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet and fun
Review: A delightful afternoon of fantasy that touches the imagination in all of us. This film has charm and fantasy and that is a combination that works (for me). Sorry, if you're looking for cold reality and relationship themes, go see something else. This one is fun and sweet and touching fun. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: One of a kind
Review: Based on what I saw in the trailers, I thought this movie might just be silly (for instance, the scene of the car underwater). I am SO glad we went anyway. This movie is one of a kind, and has important things to say about life and love. I truly didn't want it to end. Treat yourself to a very special movie as soon as you can.
Rating: 
Summary: Funky
Review: 3.5 stars, actually. In 2003, there have been two films wherein a young man must try and salvage an unsatisfactory relationship with his father at the time of the latter's impending death: THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS, and now BIG FISH. Will Bloom (Billy Crudup) is called home to attend the deathbed of his father Edward (Albert Finney/Ewan McGregor). Edward is a constant teller of Tall Tales about himself and his life, and his son is frustrated because that's all he's ever heard from Ol' Dad, and he knows nothing of the real person behind the facade. However, remaining true to form, the dying Edward persists in rehashing his outlandish stories; he finds a new audience in Will's wife, Josephine (Marion Cotillard). Any similarity between the two films is perhaps superficial, especially since THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS may be one of the best of 2003, something BIG FISH cannot aspire to. In the former, the son comes to terms with his father by dealing with the health crisis of the present and there are no overt special visual effects. It's poignantly realistic about life and death, or at least to the degree that the director envisions. In BIG FISH, Will must discover his father's essence by delving into the past, and the film's funky visuals are everything. And the Tall Tales are truly tall, as when young Edward parachutes behind enemy lines in the Korean War or, later, is accidentally roped into aiding and abetting a bank robbery. And how about the one where traveling salesman Edward encounters such a deluge of a rainstorm that his car ends marooned in the top of a tree? The problem is that the natures of the yarns are so varied that the overall continuity of the film perhaps suffers. But is there any truth to Edward's improbable stories? Only at the movie's end does it all come together. Albert Finney is suitably crusty as the aged Edward, and Ewan McGregor is engaging as the younger version. The talented Jessica Lange is wasted in the role of Will's mother. Danny DeVito is swell as circus owner Amos. But, the quality of the performances is almost irrelevant as the allure of this quirky film rests with its "look". Go see it if you're easily bought off with cool visuals.
Rating:
Summary: "Big Fish" Is A Whale Of A Tale
Review: Based on the best-selling novel by Daniel Wallace, "Big Fish" brings a larger-than-life story to the screen, in such a heartwarming and unique way that it provides an escape from the numerous violent films of the fall and still manages to entertain every member of the entire family. Directed by Tim Burton (who has critically-acclaimed films such as "Batman" and "Edward Scissorhands" to his credit), "Big Fish" follows the story of Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) who has spent his entire life telling sky-high tales about his life as a young man (Ewan McGregor), and his son Will (Billy Crudup), who desperately wants to learn the difference between the fact and fiction in his stories. As Edward is bed-ridden with cancer, he tells his life story to his son, and we as the audience are swept away into a fantasy world only creatable from the imagination of Tim Burton. From touring with a circus, to one-eyed witches, giants, and conjoined twin lounge singers, the effects are stunningly creative and a literal visual feast for the eyes. Narrated by different characters throughout specific parts of the movie, it transitions through decades and experiences nearly seamlessly, and completely immerses the audience. But, unlike so many other films, the effects in "Big Fish" don't overpower the character studies that are explored. The love story between Edward and his wife Sandra (Jessica Lange) is touching, emotional, and well-portrayed, as is the tumultuous relationship between Edward and Will, which I found to be very realistic. Not only that, but the ensemble characters such as the circus ringmaster (played by Danny Devito), the long-lost poet (Steve Buscemi), and the piano teacher (Helena Bonham-Carter) are all fantastic, and add an extra punch to the storyline. Brilliant costumes and sets also illuminate the screen, and help to bring the world of Edward Bloom to life. "Big Fish" is by far one of the most imaginative films this fall, and with a strong cast and script that satisfies every member of the family. Although it is rated PG-13 for some nudity and a fight scene, it is quite tame, and I would recommend it for even the smallest movie-goers, as they will be entertained by the magic happening on the screen.
Rating:
Summary: big heart
Review: In a season where I have been disappointed by film after film, Big Fish was a refreshing experience. Tim Burton creates a magical story filled with the perfect elements of reality and imagination to explore ideas about family, life and most of all, love. The acting is perfect. Albert Finney is funny and charming and Jessica Lange is dynamic as his counterpart. Ewan McGregor is absolutely magnetic and loveable, and Billy Crudup shines; he knows exactly how to hold a glance or react to another character or even how to communicate in the most believable way. Even smaller parts are superb, including performances by Alison Lohman, Robert Guillame, Danny DeVito, Steve Buscemi, Helena Bonham Carter and many more. The story line is clever, and the switch between present time and "Ed" time keeps the audience entertained. There is just enough sweetness and laughter mixed in too, endearing the audience to the film and the stories unraveling on screen. It is easy to understand why the characters in the film, save for Will (Crudup), want to believe Ed's tales--and the viewer is pullling for Ed all the way. The only downfall was that it did not leave with an overwhelming sense of any one feeling. Burton would like the audience to interpret the story as one of the characters in the film would--to each her or his own--but this some how leaves the viewer missing a little something. Burton actually tells us in the story that a man will see things differently at different points in his life, and this may explain why the overall sentiment of the film was not as powerful for some as it could be for others. However, for such a remarkable life, Ed should be able to leave the viewer with an indelible impression, and this somehow falls a little short. A nice feature, one that many films as of late have gotten wrong, is that Burton knows how to frame his film and how to end it. The credits roll right when they should. This is a worthwhile film, a well-told tale that is delightful with excellent performances, and is undoubtedly a film that should be viewed over and over to catch all the special twists and meanings.
Rating:
Summary: A Must See!
Review: Big Fish is a beautiful human story that mixes fantasy with reality. In classic Tim Burton fashion, it is beautifully filmed and includes Burton's signature imagination seeping in. Big Fish awakens the child within you and causes you to think about your own life. I would highly recommend this film.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!!
Review: Wow!! Big Fish was just brilliant. I loved every second of it. Tim Burton is just a genius, the man doesn't faile to entertain. Ewen Mc Gregor is now one of my favorite actors, i find him extreamly underated. Steve Buschemi was so funny in this move. The movie made me laugh, cry, think.........it was just incredible. DON'T MISS IT
Rating:
Summary: Landmark in US filmmaking
Review: ----
Don't be fooled. "Big Fish" is not the classic want-to-be "surreal" tale with random psychedelic elements. "Big Fish" is not a movie that "tries to hard" to be different or bizarre. "Big Fish" is *real*. It embodies much more than what it may seem at first glance. After a somewhat decline during his last movies (since his masterpieces "Edward..." and "Ed Wood"), Tim Burton finally decided to explore two more realistic subjects: first; a father-son relationship and second; the story of ones life. "Big Fish" is left to the viewer to be understood, analyzed, and interpreted. Like any other film, the final interpretation lays on the viewer. However many directors are often biased and leave little room for personal interpretation making their own. Burton, on the contrary, leaves a universe for multiple interpretations. One can wonder how he managed with such a solid plot. Nonetheless, he succeeded. The beauty of the profound subject, the imaging, the style, and the meaning and purpose of "Big Fish", makes it a film to be remembered by many generations to follow. Tim Burton has delivered a masterpiece like never before: a landmark in US filmmaking. 5/5 - "Big Fish" is huge.
Rating:
Summary: Quite the Catch
Review: As the movie begins, we see a fantastic fish swimming in a fantastic body of water, as a man's voice tell's the tale of how he caught said fish, on the day of his son's birth. Imediately, I was excited to watch this film, since as a fouteen-year-old following the craze of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas, and had to search many theatres to fine where it was showing. We ended up at this two-screen theatre down in our area with big squeaky blue seats. People behind me keep talking, and yet the cinematography and enchanting imagination of this movie truly had me captivated. Not only did I love the plot, I was entralled by the characters and the father-son tension. I was endeared to Ewan McGregor's character from the start where he thanked the fish for giving him back his wedding ring and transitioned to letting the fish go so his son could have a similar outlook-changing experience and catch an uncatchable fish. I would reccomend this to all, but I do believe a certain portion of people would not appreciate this film, and many amy not comprehend it's comlicated double-plot line.
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