Rating: 
Summary: Set sail for adventure on the high seas!
Review: Master and Commander is a pretty good movie about naval warfare and tall ships in the early 19th century. Russell Crowe plays Captian "Lucky Jack" of the British ship Surprise. The mission is to destroy the French vessel Acheron, under Napoleon's reign. In this quest, we are shown what it was like to sail tall ships and what warfare was like in the 1800s. I haven't read Patrick O'Brien's novels, but I love the romance and excitement of seafaring adventure. Like-minded individuals won't be disappointed, although the movie may be a bit less rough sailing than expected. The trailer to the movie shows the Surprise in the thick of battle and during very rough seas, but we needn't ask ourselves "what happened when the sea was at a dead calm?" We see that as well. This movie will thrill history buffs, too, because we get to see how things were done, what it was like to sustain injury and be treated, and the daily life of being a sailor in her majesty's royal navy. It was a brutal way of life and that's evident in the movie, especially when you consider that the British Navy was superior to all others in the 19th century, so it's probably safe to assume that their ships and practices were the highest standard of the time. There are many surprises in this movie-the remarkable youth of some of the sailors, how certain nautical methods and terms came to be, tactical techniques, and a very pleasant but abbreviated visit to the Galapagos Islands. But what I found most surprising was the moral slant of this movie. First of all, Captain "Lucky Jack" is the most benevolent of captains, a dedicated but fair and compassionate man. There are several scenes where the captain has cause to give his men moral direction and guidance. He is deeply moved upon the tragic and sacrificial death of one of his sailors. He asks his friend and co-star Paul Bettany, who plays the ship's doctor, "have the men indicated to you how they are feeling?" Would a Navy captain react that way, especially in the 19th century, with such humanity and concern for his men's emotional state? I mean, isn't death, suffering, and loss a foregone conclusion in battle? These scenes felt to me more like a bit of modernizing than historical accuracy, but what do I know? I've never been in the navy. The story itself is tightly focused; notice how the object of the movie is to overtake the Achelon and yet we never see what goes on with that French vessel. The story is about the men of the Surprise, and that's where our focus is kept. Another very pleasant surprise for this music lover is Ralph Vaughan Williams "Tallis Fantasia," used to great emotional effect in several key scenes. In all, Master and Commander is definitely worth full price, if for no other reason than to see the sea at her wildest on the big screen. These scenes will make you lean forward in your seat, secure and thankful that it isn't *you* on the ship's deck or hanging from sail ropes. The movie felt more like an ensemble movie; if there's a star here, it's the story itself. You won't get the emotional impact of "A Beautiful Mind" and it won't stick to your ribs the way that masterpiece did, but it's still a pretty good movie. If this type of movie is your idea of a good time, don't wait for the video to come out. Get the full experience. See it now.
Rating: 
Summary: Grand Sea Adventure
Review: Fans of Russell Crowe will love his newest film, MASTER AND COMMANDER. Crowe continues his tradition of playing strong-minded characters in his role of Captain Jack Aubrey, the commander of Her Majesty's Ship, The Surprise, during the English-French war of 1805. What director Peter Weir brings to the screen is an exciting and as astonishing a sea adventure saga that combines the best of the Horation Hornblower series with Captain Kirk from STAR TREK. Weir captures the essence of what it must have been like to be a sailor of that time. Part of the believability lies in Weir's portrayal of the natural elements of shipboard life: the cold, the hunger, the salt spray, the lack of women. But what makes this film click is a series of subtexts that explores the infinitely illogical relationship between duty and frienship. Serving as ship's doctor is Lieutenant Stephen Maturin (Peter Bettany, who played Crowe's non-existent roommate from A BEAUTIFUL MIND). Maturin is more than just the rather youngish ship's surgeon. He is a naturalist one generation before Darwin. He longs to explore the unknown flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. Several times, Captain Aubrey promises him the opportunity to do so but each time the exigencies of war force him to do otherwise. This clashing of wills is only but the most obvious of themes that elevate MASTER AND COMMANDER to a superior sea war film. Director Weir further examines the delicate balancing act that any commanding officer faces when deciding just how close that officer can allow himself to be towards his crew. The plot is straightforward and uncomplicated. Aubrey is ordered to seek out and destroy the Acheron, a vessel that is much faster and more heavily armed than Aubrey's. During this chase, each ship takes turns chasing the other, with the ultimate confrontation resulting in a roaringly load sea battle that seems as exciting as it was undoubtedly authentic. There is more than a few passing references to Star Trek, especially the episode where Kirk disguises himself as a Romulan to defeat a vessel of superior technology. MASTER AND COMMANDER seems sure to garner a few Oscars, probably for Best Picture and Best Actor. It was truly a pleasure to see such a politically incorrect film wow the audience in a way that would have made Errol Flynn proud.
Rating: 
Summary: Pirates of the Caribbean IS better
Review: Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush is a much better all around movie than Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Theatrical Release starring Russell Crowe. Master and Commmander is a 175 million dollar boat chase sent in the good old swash buckling days. The opening sea battle grabs the you but leaves everyone wanting more action for the next two hours later. What happens in between the open and close is predictable. I.e the Stick bug disguise discussion gives away the final battle. I.e Cape Horn passage - gee do you think someone will go overboard like every other boat movie with travels through the stormy passage. This movie is not a wait for the DVD rental. Go see it. Just know it's not a movie that could travel to the Oscars on its own without hype and hope blowing a strong wind into its sails. Sure Pirates of the Caribbean was formula. It is VERY well done formula. This movie has everything in Master and Commander does plus MORE. More action, more romance, more plot twists, more anticipation. It also has less predictability. Plus, Johnny Depp acting is every bit as good if not better than Crowe. This is a movie that should get an Oscar nod but won't. My suggestion is go see Master and Commmander then rent Pirates of the Caribbean. Compare. Then draw your conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Great Voyage Adventure.
Review: Master and Commander is a great voyage adventure that has not been seen in Hollywood for ages. Russell Crowel is fantastic as the leader of a navel vessel that is on the run from napoleon ships who want to sink it. The great casts of characters that occupy the ship are full of great actors, including Paul Bettany
And James D'Arcy. I have not seen epic of this grand scale in ages, and I hope they continue to make more.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing War Epic of Admiral Proportions
Review: Prepare to be completely submerged into the historic maritime past and immersed in the epic story written by Patrick O'Brian. From the excellent costumes to the magnificent depiction of the sea and ships, from the sails unfurling in the wind, to the dark, tight spaces below deck, from the swinging hammocks, the fog, the gales, the guns, the flying debris, to the carpentry repairs, the piping bosun, the officers peering through their spyglasses, to even the flipping of the hourglass, all elements of the story are presented in masterful detail and drama. The film itself, like the books it's based on, is a bit challenging, involving and intense. Many times during surgical operations and battle maneuvers, I was clenching my teeth and holding my breath. It does offer some mild humor but it's more of an action film with a sense of seriousness. What engages the attention nicely are some of the ingenious stratagems played out. Which keep the film from being just repetitive battle, blood and destruction, as obvious as that might later seem. But really the film presents much more than that and brings to life some truly noble characters. Touching issues in discipline, sacrifice, pride or how "the power of authority corrupts" regarding the call of duty. And when those who died in close combat where buried at sea, the Our Father prayer was solemnly recited, creating a poignant effect to the overall picture, though it is not a religious film in the outright. The music takes on a different kind of importance with this film. There is the jovial type of sea chanteys sung by the shipmates, but the strategic segments of classical strings incorporated, as a strong element is likely the most powerful. Brought to life visually by the two main characters themselves. This becomes a fitting signature of the story, making the motion picture and score unique in it's own. Like the novel by Patrick O'Brian, the nautical interest is what drew me to the film. There alone I was not disappointed, but amazingly impressed. And at some scenes I even wanted to clap for the good performance. It's an admiral achievement, giving an accurate glimpse to a maritime era in history unlike any other film.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a very enjoyable and realistic historical adventure film, greatly about the level of most Hollywood films. Viewers, however, have to have clear expectations about this film. This is not a direct translation of any of Patrick O'Brian's historical novels about Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin to the screen. It is fairer to say that this is a historical adventure movie inspired by the Aubrey/Maturin books. It would be impossible and totally unfair to expect reproduction of any or all of the Aubrey/Maturin books on the screen. The movie format doesn't really allow the character development inherent in any of these outstanding novels and the constraints of a movie don't allow the range of characters and scenes possible in a novel. The makers of this film have taken a number of episodes from the Aubrey/Maturin canon, modified and combined them into an essentially new plot. Significant compromises have been made in the interest of dramatic intensity. Aubrey is the center of the story with Maturin playing an important but ancillary role. The movie necessarily lacks the depth and complexity of the books. With these points in mind, this is an excellent movie. The attention to period detail seems excellent. The depictions of life aboard a Napoleonic warship and naval combat are riveting. Some of the scenes of HMS Surprise (actually the Rose, a Canadian made contemporary reproduction of a square rigged ship) under sail are beautiful. The director, Peter Weir, and the screenwriters made the very intelligent decision to make the ship, HMS Surprise, itself, and the crew, important characters in the story. This is not actually novel. In a sense, this movie is a 19th century version of an established Hollywood genre, the submarine movie. In submarine movies, a boat, crew, and officers are pitted against a largely unseen set of enemies, very similar to the plot of this movie. Weir and his team are careful also to introduce much of the humor that is an important component of O'Brian's books. The quality of acting, including a literally commanding performance by Russell Crowe, is excellent. I do feel that the script could have done a better job of reproducing the early 19th century English idioms that O'Brian features but the decision to use a more contemporary English is understandable. I hope this film is a significant commercial success. The screenplay clearly sets the stage for a sequel and my guess is that the screenwriting team has developed a plot outline for one or two sequels that would incorporate more of the Aubrey/Maturin saga and more completely develop the characters of Aubrey and especially Maturin.
Rating:
Summary: HUZZAH!
Review: As someone who is a lover of history, especially English, and has read all 20 Patrick O'Brian "Captain Jack" books, was I in my glory when I discovered last spring that Russell Crowe, my favorite actor, would be playing Captain John Aubrey with whom I am infatuated. I cannot think of any other actor who could possibly do justice to the character of Captain "Lucky Jack Aubrey" (also known in his younger days as Captain "Can't keep his pants up!") No one could portray as wonderfully as Crowe the complex character of Aubrey, a man of many talents and paradoxes which can be seen in the movie.
Paul Bettany, whom I thought at first was an odd choice for Dr. Stephen Maturin, Aubrey's best friend, was excellent. Crowe and Bettany were perfect together.
Peter Weir did a superb job of keeping everything historically accurate from the ship to the buttons on Jack's coat. He has given us a taste of what life was not just at sea but through the customs, speech, and manners of that time.
I read that women may not like this film because it is an
"action" flick. Yes, it is with the battles at sea and no love story. However, to see Crowe use his talent to draw the audience into the emotions of the film whether the loss of a seaman, the ferocity of battle, or the longing look he gave a native girl - well, it is totally worth it.
My 14 and 15 year old daughters accompanied me to the movie and also loved it. They laughed at the corny weevil joke, cried at the losses, and sat in suspense at what would happen next. They thought James D'Arcy was "hot" and enjoyed Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings) as Barret Bonden.
As I looked at the crowd in the theatre, I saw people of all ages
awaiting the start of the film. At the end of the show, it appeared that everyone enjoyed the movie for one reason or another.
My 14 year old told me she liked the way the movie began. "They didn't splash Russell Crowe onto the screen," she said. "Have him making some big entrance." After thinking about this, I agree with her. What insight she had. The film was not one person and never could be. It was perfectly balanced - a wonderful film to see!
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: Was expecting to see a great movie based on all the recent hype -- but I should have known better. Russell Crowe is a great actor, unfortunately not great enough to salvage a flawed production. This film is basically a battle at the beginning, a battle at the end, and a whole lot of unnecessary filler in between. Run time is well in excess of 2 hours; the producers could have easily cut at least 30-45 minutes from the middle and made this production less boring. The sojourn to the Galapagos Islands did not contribute one iota to the story line and could have been eliminated. In addition, there were several loose ends in the story line that were never resolved.
I must give credit to the battle scenes, which were well done. I felt like I was on deck, receiving cannon fire. More battle scenes, and less tedious filler, could have turned this production into a great movie, or even a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Master And Commander is one of this year's best, Brilliant!
Review: "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World" is one of this year's best, it is brilliant. Russell Crowe plays Captain 'Lucky' Jack Aubrey, in one of his best performances of his career, Captain of HMS Surprise. Paul Bettany plays Dr. Stephen Maturin, Surgeon on the HMS Surprise, in the best performance of his career, so far. HMS Surprise is attacked in the beginning of the movie by the Acheron, a much stronger and faster battleship. Some of Aubrey's men were wounded and some of them died. As the movie progresses, we get to learn how the characters are feel and we feel the same exact thing that the characters because of the fact is that we know and get how they feel. Aubrey gets surprised twice by the captain of the Acheron and vows there will not be a third time. Men are lost in the balance of the attack and chase to find the Acheron. Men that were good people and fought for their country very well. At the end of this movie, they set a trap on the Acheron so they won't be the ones that are surprised and this trap does work brilliantly to Aubrey's advantage. This movie is set during the era of the French Revolution, and it is quite brilliant how Peter Weir and his crew made "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World" come to life so brilliantly. The acting is superb as the performances of Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany's were. The directing by Peter Weir is brilliant and superb at its finest hour. The screenplay by Weir and John Conlee is excellent without compromise. The visual effects by INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC & ASYLUM is brilliant without compromise. The costume design is dynamic and brilliant. The production design is wonderful and brilliant. The film editing is great. The cinematography is superb and dynamic without compromise. The music is brilliant and excellent. I like this movie very much, because it was brilliantly different from the movies we have seen this year, because it doesn't go for swashbuckling at all. The Acheron is the shark from "Jaws". It hides and it waits for its attack to happened. This movie should get brilliant Oscar and Golden Globe coverage when the Oscar Nominations and Golden Globe Nominations are announced in the next two months or so. See this movie now or any time you can see it. You will enjoy it very much.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: Engaging, superb action. Die hard, like it really is. Crowe is the master and this movie now makes my list of best movies ever made. The code of the era comes through. NO hollywoody cliches, unbelievable photography and direction. Go see it, and take the whole family.
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