Rating: 
Summary: Confusing story and visuals
Review: While the movie does have some great special effects and cinematography, it tends to be very confusing as to what ship you are watching, who got blown up, etc. Toward the end of the movie there is so much action you can't tell the good guys from the bad guys easily. It's also difficult to understand much of the dialogue due to the thick british accents. There really isn't much of a story besides search out and destroy the enemy, so I left the movie not really caring if characters died (and some did) or if they survived.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Sea Tale
Review: Just when you'd think we'd had enough movies about the history of Europe--geez, already, is this the only continent in the world besides North America?--along comes "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," a ripping sea yarn worthy of C.S. Forester. Though it lifts quite a bit from Forester's "Horatio Hornblower" novels--and the TV series, "Star Trek," which was inspired in part by Hornblower--Peter Weir's film production is quite satisfying. Russell Crowe continues to move up the acting food chain, steadfastly commanding both ship and screen as Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, a character few contemporary actors could inhabit. Crowe, a legitimate movie star, appears to relish the role nearly every boy dreams of some day having--heroic sea captain. The story is reminiscent of the second Star Trek film, as Aubrey's H.M.S. Surprise (a la Enterprise) battles a mysterious French raider that initially leaves his ship crippled and then plays a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the survivors (a la Star Trek II). Crewed by both boys and men (wonderfully played by all involved), the Surprise is out-of-date technology (a la Star Trek II) but with the help of the ship's doctor (a la Dr. McCoy), Aubrey trades blows with his deadly opponent. The entire production is topnotch, with a keen eye to such details as the proper salute for the early 19th century and the relative youth of the ship's officers, the only flaw being a battle tactic that is forecasted so clumsily even people stepping out to use the restroom would figure it out. Still, a sequel is definitely called for--and Weir and Crowe should continue to make worthy films like this one.
Rating:
Summary: Sort of a Master and Commander
Review: Fans of author Patrick O'Brian might be a bit miffed at the plot change from the British/American skirmish of 1812 to the British/French of 1805. Actually, the facts are not all that important to director Peter Weir as are the sights and sounds of this film. Capt. Aubrey (Russell Crowe) is about the most likable and mild-mannered sea-faring Captain since Captain Kangaroo; a casting mistake if ever there was one. The ship's more level headed doctor (Paul Bettany) seems more like an early nineteenth century character dealing with tragedy on a daily basis. The plot is terribly simple with battle after battle with buddy bonding scenes around the dinner table spliced in between. The only original highlights are the Galapagos scenes. However, one must give high points to Weir for his realistic battles, ships and special effects. The sounds are inspiring and everything looks and sounds true. In fact, the effects are the true stars of this film. I can't say I would recommend purchasing this DVD, but a viewing on a boring Sunday afternoon would do it justice. There are some standard trailers and the widescreen format can't be beat with any epic story. 2 stars for story and 4 stars for visuals and sound seem fair.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Supporting Cast
Review: Although not a huge fan of Russell Crowe, the movie, with its excellently cast supporting actors really shone. The story involves the chase between the British HMS Surprise and the French man o'war the Acheron from Brazil, around Cape Horn, and finally to the Galapogos Islands. The Surprise is captained by Lucky Jack Aubrey whose friend Stephen Maturin is the ship's surgeon. Beyond the captain and the surgeon however, is the portrayals of the people who manned the Surprise from the 10 year old boys to the salty lifers who have "hold fast" tattooed on their fingers. Blakeney, the young lord, Calamy who is made acting third lieutenant by the end, and even Mr. Hollom, the thirty year old midshipman who loves the sea but doesn't want to or know how to lead men. All these characters really made the movie what it is.
Rating:
Summary: Didn't deserve 10 Academy Award nominations
Review: As much as I enjoy a Navy war epic, and appreciate the work that went into the accuracy of this account, I have to admit I found this movie to be otherwise unremarkable. It's a generic story about a man who is following his orders in the Navy and all the highs and pitfalls associated with his duties. Russell Crowe is a hottie, always has been, and made the movie even easier to sit through. I also like the interplay between the Captain and the Doctor, who basically acted as the Captain's conscience in the film. But we've seen this film before, with other titles. This was not in any way novel. As much as I enjoyed it, it is what it is: overrated.
Rating:
Summary: Name Me After Something Prickly, Like a Bush
Review: If you have heard negative criticism of this movie, please don't listen! Clear your mind. Go in with an open mind ready to receive a favorable impression! Why this plea?!?! Well, I was quite depressed when my 20-something year old friends panned the movie & said it was one of the worst ever. If you are brand new to O'Brian & his works, then it may help for you to understand a few things. O'Brian was a tireless historian & naturalist. Every battle in his books (not those in the movie, though) were battles that really happened with the 19th century British Navy. All the details of the ship build, the meals eaten, the language, the countries visited, etc. are all true to the times. And, thankfully, the movie has been very faithful to this detail. However, I think my friends were confusing the glimpse we get at this distant culture with their modern day version of life. For instance, in the movie the captain makes a truly shameless pun which WAS said at the time...it shows you the kind of humor the sailors used to get through their tough life. However, my friends took that to be the humor of the movie itself, which is a very different thing. The humor in the script is a very subtle one based on character development & understanding. So, that all said, I think the movie was absolutely fantastic. You have to pay attention some to see where minor characters are developed, where dialogue is important, and where subtle themes are brought through the movie (which you can do with many viewings of the DVD). But, if you do, I don't think you will be disappointed. I think Weir does a masterful job of bringing together great action scenes & fine, tender themes. As for the cast: - Crowe was a flawless Captain Aubrey. He really makes the movie, and everything hangs on his performance. You believe in his integrity, his care & his grit.
- Bettany was a very good match as the doctor. He showed both the strength of his personality (a good balance for Aubrey) and also his neurotic weaknesses.
- Boyd (a plug for the LOTR actor) did quite admirably in a very different role for him. Rather than act as the ignorant mischief-maker (Pippen), he is the go-to sailor. He is there at crunch-time & is fully reliable. He seems to have enjoyed this role & filled it well.
- The rest of the crew filled in their places admirably in order for you to be truly absorbed in this tale. And, finally, perhaps one of the most riveting aspects that they captured so well was the ship's delicate constitution - not the boat but the crew. They had to bear tight quarters, extreme weather, sickness, lack of food, battles & traumatic losses - all while staying strong & preparing for the next challenge. I thought this movie did a phenomenal job in showing how the sailors and officers lived & survived emotionally in such a world. (And the sound track draws this out beautifully as well!)
Rating: 
Summary: exciting sea adventure
Review: Peter Weir directs this high seas adventure with skill and a great eye; the film received an Academy Award for cinematography, and the action and effects are terrific. Russell Crowe stars as Lucky Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany is his friend and ship's surgeon as the ship battles a French phantom ship in this adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's series of books. Some liberties are taken with the books, probably wisely; for instance, the protagonists battle the French during the Napoleonic wars rather than fighting the Americans in 1812. Max Pirkis is excellent as a young seaman, and Billy Boyd does well in a small part as the crew fights for, and admires, their inspirational captain. Sometimes the language is difficult to understand, so it helps to watch with the subtitles on. There is some gore in the battle scenes and aftermath, but there is humor as well. The film can be heard in English, French or Spanish, with optional English or Spanish subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: Best choice for a sensitive feline stomach
Review: Well, this was a pretty good movie... I mean, a lot of action, British accents, ships, etc. Not a lot of female characters. However, the movie really took an interesting turn after the "lesser than two weevil's" joke. It was a decent pun by Russell Crowe, who is the Master and Commander of the boat, which is probably some inspiration for the title. However, the officers laughed an awful lot at the pun; in fact, excessive in my opinion. This was okay, but the weevil joke resurfaced again later in the movie and that was really the straw that broke the camel over the back for me. There was a long scene at the end where everyone fights and also some Francais but I felt the damage had already been done.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic
Review: I went to the theatre thinking this may be an okay film and came out totally enthused. This is well written, well directed, well shot, well acted, well scored, humourous, action packed, thoughtful, with fantastic effects that for the most part you don't even notice are effects (perhaps more a testament to how engrossed I was than anything else). Seeing it again on DVD I have to concede it loses some of the big screen impact but what adventure doesn't? I could got into the plot in detail but why spoil things, you don't have long to wait for things to happen in any case. Rent / buy the movie sit down and let things take their own course. If you're at all squeamish then there are one or two points at which you may need to close your eyes, or perhaps your mind's eye as nothing is ever really too graphic it just seems that way because the director has led you to what is happening rather than presenting it in the modern 'in your face style'. If you like action it's there, if you like the majestic tall ships of old they are beautifully recreated. Russel Crowe is perfect as Captain Aubrey and wonderfully played off against Paul Bettany's ships doctor. If you like older movies for their craft but appreciate more modern production values (particularly cgi guys who appreciate the value of keeping as many shots as possible anchored in reality by using real footage as the foundation) then this will delight you. The waves around the Horn are built upon footage shot there. Some of the sequences set on the Galapagos islands were filmed there. They had a real ship that they used at sea with a full-size recreation gimballed in the water tank and immaculately crafted large scale models all blended together seamlessly on celluloid. You've got to love it for the attention to detail if nothing else. Watch. Be delighted. This is a keeper. P.S. This is one of the most interesting extras disks I have seen - it really adds to your appreciation of the job done in producing this film.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding movie acheivement
Review: "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" is probably the best movie ever made about life aboard an early 19th Century naval vessel. There is an epic storytelling quality here that is reminiscent of classics like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Bridge on the River Kwai". It also has a grace and elegance not often seen in movies - epic or otherwise - these days. Ironically, all these fine qualities may have limited its commercial appeal. The bulk is the movie is about the two main characters - Capt. Jack Aubrey [Russell Crowe] and the ship's surgeon, Dr. Stephen Maturin [Paul Bettany] and their relationship with each other and with the rest of the crew. There are only two major battles scenes, which, while impressive, run only a few minutes each. Capt. Aubrey is commander of the Surprise, a rather small and outdated British vessel. The Napoleonic Wars are in full swing, and England is in danger of invasion by the French. Aubrey and crew are off the coast of Brazil, where they spot a very fast and modern French ship. Aubrey decides to pursue it, and the chase takes him all the way around the tip of South America to the Galapolos Islands off the coast of Chile. There, the final confrontation between the two vessels takes place. Crowe and Bettany are superb as two friends whose differences make them perfect counterpoints. To those who are more into narrative than action, watching these two play off each other is the highlight of the movie. "Master and Commander" is marvelous entertainment and quite possibly the best big studio movie of 2003.
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