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Anna and the King

Anna and the King

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $13.48
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Nothing could be better!
Review: When I sat down with this movie, I was definatley unprepared for how it woud affect me. In short, I can honestley say I've never seen a movie this good. "Anna and the King" has everything, 'something for everyone', to coin a cliche-it's funny, dramatic,has plenty of war casualties for the guys, and at the heart of it all is an beautiful, aching unrequited love. Never have I felt such chemistry between actors or characters on a screen. This is a film that absolutley consumes the veiwer from beginning to end, leaving you happy and hollow all at the same time. When "Anna" first came out, it was touted as the 'biggest historical epic since 'Titanic'" but "Anna and the King" blows 'Titanic' and basiclly every other movie I've ever seen out of the water! Do yourself a favor and see this.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: better then the other ones
Review: I think this movie was better then the other movies that are the same thing just a little diffrent. This movie was good but Jodie Foster did not do as good in this movie as I had hopped she would not that I am a big fan of hers anyway but still.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent movie
Review: This is a movie of quality, and I deeply wish I could have talked my husband into going to see it at the theater--it deserves a big screen. Hmmmm....Maybe I'll buy a bigger TV. This is a visually beautiful, moving, and romantic-without-sappiness film. Men and women both will appreciate its compelling action and passion. And BTW, I thought Jodie Foster's accent was believable and admirably executed.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sweet as opposed to sexy
Review: Jodie Foster's performances in Little Man Tate, Contact, etc. pushed me to see Anna and the King in the theater, and although I think the military aspect of the movie was not quite feasible and extremeley predictable, I thought the excellent acting, beautiful scenery, and beautiful personal story more than made up for it. (Think of movies like Twister, where the special effects make up for the poor plot-this has much more!) What a breath of fresh air to fall in with the gentle love story of this film after the sexy and uninhibited styles of so many others. This film is excellent...if the action side of it had been better, I would have given it five stars, but as is it still deserves four.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of my favorites!
Review: I have seen all of the movies based on this story and this is my favorite. The costumes, the scenery, and the acting was brilliant! The chemistry between Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat was definitely there. This is what I enjoyed the most. Though there was no physical relationship between the two, they loved each other immensely and respected each other. But, this isn't just a love story, this has a little bit of war in it and a horrible punishment of betrayal. The ending also made me cry..... it was so moving! I can't wait for the DVD to come out!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An all-around impressive movie
Review: I have always loved the story of Anna and the king, and so I was very excited when this movie came out. I went to see it almost as soon as it was released in theaters, and I have to say that I definitely wasn't disappointed. It was so well done that you'd think it was actually filmed in long-ago Siam. The scenery and costumes are amazing! As for the plot, it never dragged and I was almost on the edge of my seat the whole time. (Whether I was agonizing over their little romance or wondering what was going to happen to the country...) After I was through watching it, I wanted to go right back and watch it again! I highly recommend it to anyone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A banquet of sensory delight
Review: This is a masterful piece of filmmaking that over romanticizesa true story to improve its entertainment value. However, thegenerous use of artistic license can be almost completely forgiven because the final product is so pleasing. Director Andy Tennant weaves together resplendent visual images, wonderfully warm lighting, magnificent set design, breathtaking locations and beautiful costumes to produce a banquet of sensory delight. I'm surprised this film didn't get more technical awards, since it was one of the most exhilarating filmmaking experiences I had all year.

The story was engaging, though admittedly the characters were overly idealized. This is especially true of King Mongkut, who was far more educated, dashing and genteel than it would have been reasonable to expect. Also, the romantic overtones between him and Anna were a bit much. But the way they were presented enhanced the overall effect so I have difficulty being too critical.

The story also had some constructive subtleties. In addition to the obvious storylines about the education of the children, the effect Anna was having on the King and the impending war, there was a deeper message. It illustrated the truism that exposure to different peoples and cultures can help us to grow in understanding not only of them, but of ourselves as well. For it was clear that Anna was as much changed by Siam and the King as he and the children were by her.

I was highly impressed with the performance turned in by Yun-Fat Chow. His English is much improved since my last viewing of him in 'Replacement Killers' and 'The Corruptor'. He imbued King Mongkut with dignity and strength without forsaking the human side. The camera just eats him up. It is easy to see why he has been the dominating force in eastern films for years.

Jodie Foster, on the other hand, was off her game. She was good as Anna, but frankly, we've come to expect more from her. Foster is a powerful actor who didn't seem quite sure what to do with this character. In some scenes she rose to the occasion and gave us the Anna we hoped for; resolute, defiant, opinionated and principled. At other times she seemed tentative and totally intimidated by the role, just limping through her lines. I give her high marks for her English accent, but her total performance just wasn't up to her capabilities.

This was one of the most entertaining and delightful films I've seen this year. Yes, liberties were taken but I am inclined to overlook them. It was beautifully filmed and directed; a feast for the senses. I rated it a 9/10. I highly recommend it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A great Movie
Review: Anna & the King is a great movie. The Violence is A BIT MUCH. But the Cast Makes Up for it.

Jodie Foster is A great Actresse! She Should reprise her role in HANNIBAL. Anna And The King: B-

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A true outstanding epic movie.....
Review: This is a true outstanding epic movie. I'm really surprised why it wasn't hailed as greatly as it should have been. I personally hail it as one of the greatest movies of all time, a true classic in every sense. I've seen it totally ignorant of all the versions that preceded it and I've loved it with the very first few lines "She came unaware of all the suspicion that preceded her" " the first English woman I have seen". This story of two unconventional people in conventional times with all its historical facts and lush gorgeous background is capable of sweeping one's off his feet making him feel all that cultural and emotional struggle that Anna and the King seem to go through. Jodie Foster was lovely and extraordinary although I used to think that she is too modern-looking for such movies...I guess I was gravely mistaken. I think the movie's real surprise is Chow Yun-Fat who was truly amazing. He seems to be so much at home with all this kingly charm. He has such grace and overwhelming presence that would make him probably one of the most remembered kings on the screen. I can't help wondering if the original king was as charming as he was....and wouldn't be nice if all kings were like that? We would surly love them. And what of the palace? Do I dare and say more? I was totally amazed to know that they've built a replica of the original one...wow! I envy Jodie and Chow for being in such lofty surroundings. I think I would write a book if I were to describe everything I loved in this movie...but I must take my hat off to Andy Tennant for making such a masterpiece and for all the designers. Of course, I must not forget the movie's music and photography and the beautiful script that seems to linger in the mind forever for I would always remember that "when a woman has so much to say and doesn't say it. Her silence can be deafening.".

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not underrated
Review: I'm sorry to say that despite being an elaborately filmed and costumed marvel, cast with talented lead actors, this movie is tedious beyond repair. The emotional impact is minimal, while almost every scene seems painfully protracted. Both Foster and Yun-Fat show remarkable restraint and appear true to character, but the chemistry is elusive, while the supporting characters appear merely well-mannered and lack depth. This is no substitute for more bracing romantic dramas like Dr. Zhivago, Out of Africa, Emma, Shakespeare in Love, etc. It is regrettable, because I thought the director's previous 'Ever After' was quite good, but I strongly feel that 'Anna and the King' is overrated, and that it's initial snubbing at the box office was largely deserved.


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