Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding
Review: MASTER AND COMMANDER is a film inspired by Patrick O'Brian's 20 novels about the British navy during the Napoleonic wars. I was recently talking with a man who, like me, is a great fan of the books. He was aghast that the filmmakers had had the nerve to combine plots from different novels and change the identity of the villains (from American to French)! Well, it's true the film's storyline is cobbled together, but whether you're a fan or coming to this material for the first time, you'll get a film true to the spirit of the books.
Director Peter Weir makes almost no concessions to the audience. Almost immediately we're watching Capt. Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and the crew of the SURPRISE clear the decks for action. Indeed, most of the film involves Jack's pursuit of the French ship ACHERON that cripples the SURPRISE in the opening battle. Weir, like O'Brian in the books, puts us right in the middle. We get a sense of the work required to kepp the ship afloat, the close quarters, and the brotherhood of the men.
Russell Crowe is terrific here, I can't think of another star of his magnitude who would have been right for the role. Matching him as surgeon and Jack's friend Stephen Maturin is Paul Bettany, who deserves an Oscar nom for the scene where he performs surgery on himself. There's a brief detour to the Galapagos Islands where Maturin, naturalist, collects specimens until his trip is cut short.
MASTER AND COMMANDER is a wonderful, intelligent epic made in the spirit of its source material. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Master and Commander Review
Review: Peter Weir has created one of the truly great – not a word to be thrown about lightly – movies of 2003, a 19th century age of sail epic starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. Based on two (with smaller plot threads from others) of Patrick O’Brian’s well known Aubrey series of novels, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a story told with grace, daring, a bit of humor, conflict, and human bonding, on a level far beyond other movies of its ilk.Crowe plays the role of captain of the HMS Surprise, Patrick Aubrey. A long-time veteran of the Royal Navy, Aubrey is faced with the daunting task of hunting down and stopping the French privateer Acheron, a strong, overpowering frigate that (as it turns out) was built in America and sold to the French (the frigate itself is a sister of sorts to the USS Constitution). Aubrey is initially surprised by the Acheron in a fogbank and after taking a beating, retreats and thus begins a sequence of events – a cat and mouse game that flip-flops repeatedly as the two captains try to get the upper hand. Accompanying Aubrey is his good friend, Stephen Maturin, the ship’s doctor (played by Mr. Bettany). The two are very much contrasting characters that seem to have very little in common, except their love of music and their friendship. One failing in the movie is that the viewer is not really shown why they are friends, or Maturin’s role as a spy, though this is hinted at. Both Aubrey and Maturin are played skillfully by Mr. Crowe and Mr. Bettany, and the other actors, especially that the very young Max Pirkis as Midshipman Blakeney, are well cast as various members of the crew. Weir (and subsequently O’Brien’s) depiction of life aboard a ship in the era is wonderfully authentic; the Surprise is packed full of food, livestock, timbers, rope, and crewmen. Everything is shoved aside when the ship clears for battle. Sand is poured on the floor to absorb blood as he tends to the wounded. They are seemingly very much in the middle of nowhere, and only occasionally see land or another ship. The naval battle sequences are some of the best that have been ever captured on film. Like Saving Private Ryan, the effect of sound during battle is piercing, loud, and bone-jarring at times. This is no-holds barred combat, and every shot does damage, splinters wood, destroys rigging, tears canvas, and kills men. The hand-to-hand sequences are a little to shaky – probably better suited to the small screen better. Effects work and cinematography are simply fantastic throughout. Master and Commander uses a well-tuned mixture of real-size ships, mock-ups, miniatures (by Peter Jackson’s WETA), computer-graphics, and nearly everything else thrown in for good measure. A lot of this movie was filmed in a giant tub, but it’d be nearly impossible to tell. It should be noted that the Galapagos Islands sequence was filmed there, the first movie allowed to do so. It’s annoying that they had to combine two novels and change some of the plot elements (the privateer was originally an American ship during the War of 1812), and some may scoff that Aubrey would have even taken on such a larger ship. Some may claim that Master and Commander is boring; it is not a popcorn action movie, but more of a deliberately-paced period adventure that far surpasses in intelligence and moviemaking most of the action movies released this year. Look for numerous Oscars come next Spring. Master and Commander is the real deal.
Rating:
Summary: Crowe and Weir command your attention
Review: An amazing film, Peter Weir's Master and Commander manages to capture all the hazards of the high seas. Russell Crowe plays "Lucky" Jack Aubrey commander of the HMS Surprise. His mission is to pursue the French ship Acheron and destroy her preventing the French from further attacks on British ships. I've never read any of Patrick O'Brian's novels but this strong adaption by Weir written with John Colle switches the time frame of the British/American conflict of 1812 to the war between Britian and Napoleon's France in 1805. Weir manages to breath life into O'Brian's creations with very authentic ships and settings. He captures all the brutality and grim, violent moments that sailors faced at sea. In many respects, the ship was more than home and more than country for these sailors; she was sanctuary and tomb for these sailors. The HMS Surprise was the only thing providing refuge from the harsh elements of the high seas. In battle, the ship if not well commanded could also become a death trap. If caught in a losing battle, these sailors were at the mercy of the ocean and the ocean was a brutal and deadly mistress. Crowe and co-star Paul Bettany (Crowe's co-star from A Dangerous Mind)give outstanding performances. Their onscreen chemistry and conflicts generate enough dramatic sparks to keep the film heated during the sequences between battle. Bettany plays ship's surgeon and friend/confidant to Aubrey. He also acts as Aubrey's conscience providing him with a link to the civilized world he left behind. Although Aubrey doesn't always take his advice it provides perspective and an honest sense of how far he can push his crew. The CGI ships and visual effects are very impressive. It's difficult to distinguish the sets from the CGI effects. The battle sequences are impressive. As a member of the audience you feel as if you've been dropped into a battle from two hundred years ago. As someone who hasn't read the books and has no sailing experience (or Naval experience), I still found the film fascinating, powerful and involving. Crowe's commanding presence also gives added power to this fine film. Although it isn't Weir's best film (and Weir has directed a number of outstanding films including The Truman Show, Picnic At Hanging Rock, The Last Wave, Witness, Fearless and The Year of Living Dangerously among many), it has moments as powerful and involving as his best. Although the film sags a bit in the middle as Aubrey searches for the French vessel the Acheon, the power of the material and performances keeps the audience interested and involved.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful & Commanding; soon to be a classic film experience
Review: If you want high adventure, see this movie. If you want to step back through the portal of time, 200 years ago, go to see this film. I was pleasantly converted to a believer in this film, after coming in expecting a so-so, cannons-firing-away naval film. What we got was an intense high seas adventure, packed with human drama. From the very moment that Master and Commander started, we felt as if we were silent members of the ship's crew, experiencing their struggles, decisions (easy and tough), their camaraderie, and their isolation. The marvelous attention to detail that Peter Weir, cast, and crew had poured into this film shows in every single frame. We viewed this "experience" in a normally noisy theater. There is nothing like experiencing the enthralled silence in that same full theater. In conclusion, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is both masterful and commanding of ones full attention. This will be a film classic for all time.
Rating:
Summary: Finest film I have seen in years.
Review: I truly hope there are sequels to this fine film. Hollywood has surprised me with a picture the likes I have never seen. As a young 20-something absolutely fed up with the usual petulant Hollywood fare, M&C makes up for all the years I wasted watching horrible films. Thank goodness for Peter Weir.
Rating:
Summary: A Glimpse into honor and courage on the high seas
Review: Director Peter Weir masterfully presents this epic of His Majesty's Royal Navy during Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon's--like Hitler's--attempt to conquer the world was essentially thwarted by British honor and courage. Admiral Nelson's defeat of Napoleon at Trafalgar(1805)is regarded among decisive naval battles in history(as Midway was decisive for USA in WWII). MASTER and COMMANDER presents a brio framed portrait of HMRN wherein Weir focuses on human...and "inhuman"...demands routinely expected of men and YOUNG midshipmen at sea to prepare them for combat at sea. Russell Crowe is typically superb as Commander who summons his military charges to expect of themselves what he unquestioningly expects and incarnates as Duty to God, King and Country. True honor and courage abide no cynicism nor condescension. There are no "embedded journalists" on board to cosset or apologize to. There are no body counts daily emblazoning THE TIMES. Men are expected to follow orders; fight and die if necessary[boys are expected to follow orders; fight and die if necessary]. Though not quite a "fable"(fairy tails not allowed:per strict Code of merciless Military Justice),MASTER and COMMANDER:The Far Side of the World, is of mythological ilk.Technically the film is excellent. My only reservation is the voyage's length for sake of non-sequitur themes concerning Darwin and some hackneyed Melville. (Captain Crowe remains focused;even when Doctor friend and Director Weir unnecessarily evoke Moby Dick and Ahab-like vengeance).Many viewers may, of course, enjoy these embelishments to an outstanding adventure where timeless,quite necessary themes of honor and courage are RESPECTED(meaning to look-at AGAIN)...
Rating:
Summary: Blimey! There's a cannonball stuck up me arse!!
Review: Sorry, I couldn't resist. "Master and Commander" is a wonderful film. To me the appeal lies in its superbly-drawn, multi-dimensional characters. Being in the company of these men is enough to make you endure the freezing cold, vertigo, smoldering sun, and paltry meals on a month-long ocean voyage. The interactions between Jack, the young Midshipman Blakeney, and the ship's doctor were a pleasure to watch. The characters acted with decency and intelligence, making them excellent companions despite the bloody battles, amputations, and whip-lashings. Peter Weir's direction is first-rate, perfectly depicting life on a sea vessel centuries ago. Who needs action when you have conversations like these? Russell Crowe creates yet another memorable character, easily matched by the doctor and the boy who plays the courageous and affable apprentice. When thinking about this movie, I won't remember the spectacle of ships firing on each other at close range, or the colossal waves crashing down on sodden decks, or the splintering of the mast beam by shrapnel. I'll remember the physician and Captain Jack participating in lively debates, gradually coming to understand one another, and doing their best to be tolerant. I'll also remember the doctor and the boy exploring the strange islands, discovering new species that haven't yet become extinct.
Rating: 
Summary: No Soul, Let's Hope This One Sinks Fast
Review: I am among the biggest Russell Crowe fans on the planet, and we had to wait months since "A Beautiful Mind" for another RC movie to come out. I thought, Great! He's in another action/adventure story, the stuff he was created to do. How disappointed I was with "Master & Commander." First of all, like another reviewer said, it was extremely hard to understand what the characters were saying. Also I had read a Roger Ebert review and he said this movie was reminiscent of Jaws-where, like the shark, the murderous French ship was stalking Capt. Aubrey's ship and you never saw it, but you knew it was out there. Was supposed to be suspensful I guess, but it wasn't. The story was so tepid that it was almost a Discovery documentary on how to take care of and sail a big ship. I couldn't get into the story and the characters were boring. Two little old ladies sitting behind me said, "This is the best part of this movie" when the characters laid over on the Gallapagos Islands. The sound effects were tremendously too loud and I saw numerous other theatre-goers covering their ears. This movie was certainly not worth losing your hearing over! When they weren't fighting, Russell Crowe or not, I fell asleep. This is definitely a guy movie, lots of fighting , blood and guts. Cannot recommend. And the box-office results are showing this.
Rating:
Summary: great start and great ending
Review: with its beginning that pulled me in and then the end where it all blasted out. good battle sequences and great acting especially by Russell Crowe, hes a dynamite actor, an actor ahead of his game id say. beautiful and dizzingy camera shots and directed with ease by Peter Weir(Witness, The Truman Show). though there are some predictable parts like when Paul Bettany(the doctor) trys to find his bird and I knew the french ship was gonna be there. other parts like when the doctor got shot was a surprise. and what the heck is this I read about this is a sequel to Pirates Of The Carribean..its not people and its not a ripoff either. Pirates of The Carribean is a ride at Disneyworld and dont get me wrong its a frickin great movie but Master and Commander is like book 1 of the other 20 books in the series and the book is like the movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Far Side of the World has come so Close.
Review: I abslulutly fell in love with this brilliant and magical film.
The cast was exdrodinary, and high in entertainment,they even put kids in lead roles which I highly envy in movies, It shows courage and a softer side. The doctor, Paul Bettany, was amazing. He played that role in such a sensible way. I also loved the added jokes that were placed in this movie, and the action scenes which were breath takers. This epic film still graspd my mind when I layed my head to sleep, and even into the wee mornings. I think this movie is absoloutly incredible, and should be honored highly.
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