Rating: 
Summary: Giants, Witches, And Fishes Oh My!
Review: Tim Burton is back. The macabe genius has slipped up here lately with his re-make of "Planet Of The Apes", but the man is back and in a big way. Burton has always been able to take his audience on an incredible journey into the minds of oddball characters(Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood) and into the presence of magical worlds and fairy tales. Never has he done so with such brilliance as he has with this latest offering. The movie is about Edward Bloom, a man who is seen young(played by Ewan McGregor), and as his older present day self(played by Albert Finney). Edward is not long for this world, and his estranged son Will(Billy Crudup), comes back home with his expecting wife, to see his father and patch things up before it's too late. Will has always been hearing his father's wild tall tales, and has had enough. He wants the truth. He wants to know the man that his father really is before the man himself is no more. From his bed, Edward Sr. talks with his son and the discussion takes us through the life and journeys he has been in. Young Edward is seen as a young man with ambition and determination with a lot left over to spare. He is seen journeying through the world into haunted woods, enchanting towns, working in a traveling circus, and coming across people such as a giant, witches, werewolves, and other interesting characters. Will tries to get to the bottom of these tall tales that his father has been telling and claiming are as true as they can be. It's a son hoping to reconcile with the man, the father, that he never really knew. This is like "Forrest Gump", but in a way that only Tim Burton could tell it. The story and screenplay is solid and laced with delicate writing, settings, and colorful characterizations. The fact that this wonderful film was so overlooked during 'Awards' time was downright criminal. Burton's girlfriend, Helena Bonham Carter, appears in the film, as does Burton regular, Danny DeVito, who plays a circus ringleader. Jessica Lange plays Edward's wife in present day, Sandra, and that character is played in the past by Alison Lohman. Jessica is such a fine actress, and it's too bad she wasn't given more to do. They did a fine job of getting the two actresses to play the same character. Crudup is a fine young actor and he does a solid job as the confused son searching for answers. Who wouldn't be in his place?. Who would believe the stories, or some of them, would be true?. Every frame is flawlessly choreographed, and the sets and art direction are magical, clear, colorful, and have a very serene feel. This is definitley Burton's masterpiece. It is a film that seems more human than anything he has done. The acting is sincere. Ewan brings an enthusiasm and down home charm to his role as the younger Edward, and he is enigmatic throughout. You are instantly charmed and even though you already know how he turns out, you root for him and wish him the best on his journey in life. Albert Finney does a fine job as the older, ailing Edward. He comes across as a very likeable old man who just embraces life. That's what the film is. Embrace life. Live it to it's fullest. One other review stated that Finney was unpleasant. I find that so untrue. This is pure gold. I haven't been this enchanted with a film in a long time. Thank you Tim Burton. Can't wait for the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: How possible!!!!!!!- angry BIG fan
Review: Hi! I'm a BIG fan of Tim Burton's films.
I was horrified when I saw that it was realeased Tim Burton's worst movie, "BIG fISH", AND Tim's Masterpiece "Ed Wood" was rejected by the distributors.
How come?
If anyone agrees with me, please vote at amazon, for the Ed Wood's realease.See you.
Rating:
Summary: Reach for the Gold Ring!
Review: A man tells his stories often enough, he becomes his stories and his stories live on after him. In that way he becomes immortal. Big Fish is a story about storytelling, about embracing the magic of existence, and the art of telling tall tales, even if they are true. This is a wonderful movie and it's life filled to overflowing with more life than life itself. I loved every minute of it. I watched this movie because it was Directed by Tim Burton, I had no idea what it was about, but I heard it was very good. The first part of this movie was a fun heartwarming set of tall tales, intertwined with a son angry at his father for allways telling them and never letting him know the real truth. I thought it was a good movie 4 out of 5 stars or so. Then the ending. I wasn't ready for the movie to end, but I have to say this is the best ending I've ever seen in a movie. The way in which the story brings the son around and shows us why and how his father's stories work is fantastic. I'm watching as circus freaks are waving at an old man and I'm tearing up. Only Tim Burton could cause me those emotions at those images. 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Best for Tim Burton Fans, But.........
Review: BIG FISH is a sleeper of a movie. Now that may sound like an oxymoron for a Tim Burton all-stops-out fantasy gig, but for those who don't get lightheaded at the mention of this talented director's name of ilk of films, this journey has a lot of fine surprises. Yes, this is another fantasy movie, but this time the fantasy embroiders a tender and (and all too frequent) trying examination of a father/son relationship. Young Will Bloom is called home to Alabama (where his father is dying) from Paris where he and his pregnant wife have fled to get away from his distant father who has only conversed with Will through tall tales ('lies') to the point that the schism produced makes Will realize that he doesn't know his father at all. Burton can't resist making visual all the tall tales so often repeated by Edward Bloom - stories of his preposterous birth, the way he met his wife, the journey to escape the little town through magic forests and 'heavenly' cites with his comrade the giant, his employment by sideshows, and his encounters with witches, odd balls, and huge fish. These parts of the story plead patience, so overblown and non-edited they endlessly appear, but in the end the reason for telling them finds home in the coming together of the father and son in a way that leaves not a dry eye in the audience. Burton wisely has a cast of professionals that help make this story work: Ewan McGregor is the young Ed Bloom and Albert Finney is the elder form of the man, Billy Crudup is the son Will, Jessica Lange the Mother (Alison Lohman is her younger self), and the assorted characters are spun by the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito, Steve Buscemi, Robert Guillaume, and an especially fine Matthew McGrory as Karl the Giant. Endure the excesses of the first part of the film and the rewards are superb in the end!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent film, a pure joy to watch!
Review: This movie is truely one of the best ones I have ever seen! Edward Bloom's adventures are absolutely fantastic, and the characters and scenery are extremely memorable. I have owned this dvd for 2 days, and have already watched it twice! My favorite parts were the town of specter, where nobody wears shoes, and the circus part, with Danny Devito. The town of specter was wonderful. It is the kind of place I would love to live, if such a place existed. I found the townspeoples' friendliness to be wonderfully refreshing in a world where hostility is ever increasing. I even got emotionally choked up several times while watching this amazing film. Make sure you have a box of tissues handy, as you will need them. For a breath of fresh air, and a break from the stress of everyday life, I heartily recommend this movie!
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: OMG! this is an amazing movie. the story is captivating, characters and plot are fun,... i saw it in the theaters 2x! great father's day gift!!
Rating:
Summary: Warm, Wonderful
Review: Some may find the characters unlikeable. However there are many enjoyable films which have unlikeable characters: American Beauty for example. In fact, I wonder if Woody Allen has ever made a film whose main characters were likeable. This is an excellent movie for Albert Finney, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Ewan McGregor, and Billy Crudup fans. All of whom must have appreciated the story. My husband and I were floored by this movie. The emotional impact is indeed very strong and may be too much for young children. Several times, I was in tears watching this movie. And, I have recommended it to many friends. I truly believe that a movie of this caliber comes rarely in a lifetime. The story and quality of film making cannot be overstated. There was no overkill with the fantasy or special effects elements. Naturally, it is light fantasy. If you feel uncomfortable with elements of fantasy you may be turned off by the movie. I was not shocked by any nudity. This is considerably more toned down, and the story has more depth than the other movies of Tim Burton. Therefore, it is more accessible to those who are not fans of Tim Burton. However, Tim Burton fans will still appreciate the film.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece!!
Review: I am an avid fan of Tim Burton. This is my favorite Burton film. I have a feeling that this is the style that he will continue with for years. I also think that Tim Burton will be one of the more common directors in the not so distant future.
Rating:
Summary: This movie touched my life!
Review: This movie was released just after my own father died of cancer. I was not sure I wanted to see it, but this was probably the best thing I could have done. What did it for me was the quality of the characters. While they were presented in a way that was so surreal and colorful, they were also very human and relatable. I found myself reflecting back on my own relationship with my father and the stories he told me as a child. Above all this movie was steeped with integrity. It was as honorable, imaginative and lovely as fatherhood itself. I recommend this to anyone who has ever had a father or sons (or for that matter a mother or daughters... so pretty much everyone). Mr. Burton really makes you look beneath the surface to find the truth in the message rather than the facts. I am going to buy this for my Mom for mother's day, and watch it with her and a box of tissues. Thank you Mr. Burton!
Rating:
Summary: A must see movie!
Review: Tim Burton is a great stroryteller and this movie is another one to add to the list. In this movie he did not use his usual cast of characters (aka: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, etc) but that doesnt change how this story is told. It goes back and forth between past and present. The scenery in the movie is very rich (especially in the circus). I loved it the first time I saw it and will watch it again and again. I don't want to give it all away.....so go watch it!
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