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Summary: absolutely BEAUTIFUL movie
Review: If you are interested in this movie for the historical content, go away. If you want to see it because you want to learn about Thailand in the 1800's, go away. If you love a beautiful romance with stunning costumes and scenery, read on.Anna and the King is the third movie to be released about the life of Anna Leonowens, a British governess in Thailand (then Siam). All three of the movies disregard history completely, and for a good reason - the actual story is not all that interesting and wouldn't make for a very good movie. Instead, this movie is a beautiful, moving romance that never occured, but definitely worth watching as a piece of fiction. The other two movies just don't compare. It is a long movie, almost 2 and 1/2 hours, and I haven't gotten bored or impatient even the 7th time watching it. All of you hopeless romantics, you must get your hands on this movie!
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Summary: Anna and the King
Review: In time, Anna and the King, will be the classic film that, "The King and I" has become. Yun-Fat Chow and Jodie Foster could not have been more brilliant. After Chow's performance in Anna and the King, I can't imagine him acting in anything less than Broadway. Director Andy Tennant has done a brilliant job capturing the feel of the time and the majesty of Siam. The photography is breathtaking. I change you to see a film a more visually beautiful. This film is for those who appreciate art. This is a must buy for any collector of fine films.
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Summary: One of the best Movies of 2000
Review: This reworking of "The King & I" was subject to a roasting by the critics at its theatrical release which reinforces my opinion that professional film critics no zip about "normal" people. This is much more than a costume drama, and is actually a better film than that upon which it is based. Jodie Foster delivers a versatile and stunning performance, and is more than ably supported by Chow Yun Fat (who up until now has been seen mainly in John Woo type thrillers). This film is epic in quality with sweeping landscapes, excellent period detail, and acclomplished cinematography rarely seen this year. You will fall in to this movie and enjoy every minute of it, humour, passion, drama and a sturdy script make for 2 hours of real entertainment. You will not be disappointed !
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Summary: I loved the musical, and I love this version just as much.
Review: I LOVED the musical... I saw it when I was a little boy, and I saw it twice in the theatre, with Yul Brynner and Constance Lawrence (?) in New York, about the year 1979... I have it on video and have watched it at least 30 times... So... believe me I love it... Recently, I went to see the movie, expecting it could not be as good as the musical. I was surprised. I LOVED this version just as much. I loved it so much that I saw it three times. Jodie Foster is magnificent. The story is great, maybe with some fiction, but I bought the book, and now I am buying the DVD. (I saw the movie on the big screen, and I am buying the DVD so I can watch it again and again, whenever I want to.)
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Summary: The Songs Are Gone--But The Story Sings Through
Review: Chow, making like a monarch, is one of the main reasons to watch Anna and the King, a lavish old-fashioned epic sporting a veneer of political correctness about cultural and economic differences. Arriving in Bangkok for her new job as a teacher to the King's children, English widow Anna Leonowens (Foster) snootily proclaims, "The ways of England are the ways of the world." But she soon comes to appreciate local customs as well as the local ruler. The mutual attraction between the two, is more clearly articulated here than in earlier versions (1946's Anna and the King of Siam with Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison; a 1956 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The King and I, with Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner), goes a bit further than a slow dance and a caress on a cheek. These subtle romantic nuances, including sexual tension on the beach, gentle clasping of victorious hands, even ardent stares--steam up the screen almost as much as Siam's unpredictable humid weather. Chow, the Hong Kong-born star who slightly washed out in his first American movie, The Replacement Killers, exudes sly sexiness and charisma here, despite those unflattering, short-pants costumes. Playing Mongkut, the 19th-century emperor of Siam, Chow does for costar Foster what even Richard Gere couldn't do in 1993's Sommersby: He makes her convincingly hot and bothered. Director Andrew Tennant (Ever After) never decides what kind of movie he is making--which gives iteresting aspects for all. Anna flits between tropical travelogue (with Malaysia subbing for Thailand), romantic drama, Thai history lesson and, late in the film, action-adventure yarn. Foster, sounding a bit like Julie Andrews, portrays her character with snap. And is gloriously costumed. This Anna has its moments, most of them belonging to Chow, but this is a fantasia flick to be lost in, even without the Rodgers & Hammerstein score.
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Summary: Extra Features
Review: (....) really doesn't mention all the extra "goodies" that they've encluded in this Special Edition of Anna and the King, so I was thrilled to discover a good two hours of behind-the-scenes features, a trailor, music video, and more! The DVD quality is excellent, very sharp and clear, with a very well-done enter-menu feature, and deleted scenes, including an extention of the "White Elephant" sequence, and the "Prologue" and "Epilogue" scenes. The six featurettes are pretty repetative - if you've seen one, you've seen them all, but the interviews with Foster and Yun-Fat are pretty darn cool. All in all, a wonderful DVD from Fox... and an excellent film. If you enjoy epic romances, simple tales made exceptional by breathing romance and a passionate, gorgeous backdrop, with sets made perfect down to the tiniest detail, a film that will make you laugh, and make you cry... Anna and the King is it! The movie of the year! Don't miss it... and don't miss this edition!
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Summary: The LuckyDog Newsletter
Review: Extra-Ordinary, an Absolute marvel of a classic masterpiece. A movie I would not mind having in my collection, and will, just as soon as it is released. This film as you may already know, is the based on a true story remake of THE KING AND I, however, THIS IS NOT A MUSICAL. But trust me, you will not be dissapointed in any way. It is a wonderful film filled with beautiful scenery and gorgeous sets. The reinactments of the wars and rebellions were not perfect, but very well done. Reasons for the Rating Pg-13 are as follows: Violence, an elaborate execution, mild torture and slavery, and some sexuality. But it is still a movie that you and your family can watch again and again, and enjoy forever. This is a very romantic and powerful film, I give it an A plus and two thumbs up. THE MOST BEAUTIFULLY CHORIAGRAPHED FILM I HAVE EVER SEEN. This is Acedog from The LuckyDog Newsletter: Movie Review Have a beautiful trip trough the foreign country.
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Summary: Different from "The King and I" -- but just as good!
Review: "The King and I" was a fabulous movie. "Anna and the King" is also a fabulous movie. Yes, this can be true! In some ways (and I only dare write this because I'm staying anonymous -- judging from certain reactions, some people might want to come after me) "Anna and the King" is better than "The King and I." It does a better job of taking you away to a faraway but very real place, and leaving you breathless for the entire movie. The chemistry between the leads was so real you could almost feel it, and I didn't find any of the subplots distracting. In the end, although they are based on the same basic story, these are two very different movies. I would recommend watching both.
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Summary: Anna and the King of Siam
Review: This movie is amusing, but there's something missing. It's not bad, it's just that the chemistry between the leads doesn't exist and the script could have been better.
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Summary: Fabulous Movie!
Review: I went to this movie expecting to dislike it or even hate it because I totally adore the Rogers and Hammerstein musical version. What a wonderful surprise this movie is! Thorougly gorgeous, majestic, and much more emotionally moving than the musical. (which I still love, by the way) I find Yun-Fat Chow to be incredibly believable in his role as King in power, tenderness, and when he is poignantly caught between what his heart wants him to do and what he feels he must do to keep the confidence of his people. I also really enjoyed Jodie Foster much more than I though I would. This movie is GREAT! I wish that it had received some academy award nominations because it was definitely my favorite movie of the year. If you haven't seen it yet, give it a try. It certainly won my heart over in a BIG way!
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