Rating: 
Summary: BETTER THAN THE BOOK
Review: It isn't often that a movie makes you understand the character motivation better than the original book. MOSQUITO COAST is a movie that does. Throughout the book I wanted to sit down and counsel the mother about the absurdity of her allowing the self-centered father to distroy all their lives. Yes, I blamed the mother as much as the father for permiting the horrors that happen to this family. Why would any woman subject herself and her children to this kind of tyranny? Harrison Ford's wonderful portrayal of the egocentric father and Peter Weir's genius in directing (the cinematography ... as in all Peter Weir films, is on a scale with Hitchcock's)suddenly make the story click. Yes, the father is still obnoxious, but you understand why when you see this movie, and you understand why the mother puts up with it, and why the story has to end in the way it does. No halfway on this one ... a fulfilling story from beginning to end.
Rating: 
Summary: Not that great
Review: I really didn't enjoy this movie. It definitely wasn't anything special and was rather annoying to watch. All you want to do throughout the whole movie is slap Harrison Ford for thinking he's some kind of god and for forcing his family to be where they don't want to. Don't waste your time watching this.
Rating:
Summary: One man in search of Utopia
Review: Wow, is this ever a great movie. I love the intensity Ford brings to the main character, who is determined to create his own world by his own rules and ends up destroying everything-- most notably his son's belief in him. I also love the fact that the film remains (mostly) true to the novel--a rarity. Nor is there a formulaic happy ending. You'll get sucked in to the vision of Utopia just as River Phoenix is.
Rating:
Summary: Immoderately Neato
Review: This movie brings new dimensions of meaning to the word "rationalization." Harrison Ford's three-quarters-crazy character, Ally Fox, is one of the more spookily magnetic nutball geniuses it has been my pleasure to view in action. His goal of creating a utopia falls into the usual pitfalls in store for such schemes... Actually, he really CAN make things more pleasant for everyone, because he seriously is tremendously gifted, in a mechanical way. The problem is, he's nuts, so he needs to always be in the center, revealing truths to people, and having them enthralled by his charisma. He can never, ever leave well enough alone. It just ain't gonna happen, it's not in his nature... One little scene no one seems to really notice is the Thanksgiving dinner the Fox family celebrates in the jungle. Helen Mirren comes downstairs, resplendent in her holiday garb, and the whole family is happy for a few moments. There is an awkward pause, and then they all dig in and start eating. What is missing here? Ummm... Well, what holiday are they supposed to be celebrating? That's right, Thanksgiving! Do they say grace? Do they give thanks? No way! For my money, that little moment was one of the most telling things in the whole movie. Ally Fox is like a black hole for simple, thankful happiness. He just sucks it in, and it's never seen again. He's always focused on his next project, and life itself just passes him by, unless he can use it for one of his perfectionist schemes. And even as things deteriorate for him, (near the end he is basically paralyzed), his brain just keeps on going, and coming up with reasons why he is heading in just the direction he wants to be headed in. It's pretty spooky. Talk about your basic tragic hero. Lordie lordie. Seventeen billion thumbs up.
Rating:
Summary: "DEAD THINGS GO DOWNSTREAM! "
Review: Dead things go downstream... Life is UPSTREAM! This movie captures what it means to achieve your goals and find nothing to support them only in desparation to grab at anything. Harrison Ford is spectacular!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding story, character development & cinematography!
Review: This movie contains all the elements that make a great story, and best of all, includes a great cast and wonderful cinematography. Harrison Ford plays a very dynamic character who fits the mold of the misguided husband who downplays his pernicious acts with a "I'm doing this for you" speech. Incredible! Part of you loves him for his genius, part of you hates him for his hazardous ambition. I would classify this movie as a tragedy, but what better way to learn from the ideal human experience of survival, hope and trial. The DVD looks sharp (for an older movie!) and has a nice trailer on it, but that's really it. I noticed the Amazon comment of "Fine film grain is revealed throughout," and I quote Allie Fox, "Sounds perfect!" - I love the sharp film look! This movie is a keeper, and an excellent chapter in Harrison Ford's hall of fame! Peter Weir too! SEE IT!
Rating: 
Summary: forgotten ...
Review: This is a movie forgotten somewhere in Ford's and director Weir's filmography. It's a shame, because it is compelling, well written. Ford's character completely looses his mind halfway into the history, putting his own family in danger for the sake of his "ideals". It's a good movie, based on a good book.
Rating:
Summary: A small and ignored masterpiece!
Review: Well, I'm impressed! Both by Peter Weir and his wonderful blend of talented actors! Harrison shows that he indeed is a caracter actor - he should emmideately stop doing all these tacky "action things" and let his actorskills bloom! Helen Mirren is really good as the nervous and self-sacrificing mother - hat off for her! The only thing I have to say is that this movie walked straight to my heart (as with all Weirs movies) and will stay there...
Rating:
Summary: The story of a man too smart for everybody¿s good.
Review: Brilliant storytelling (almost fable-like original novel by Paul Theroux) highlights this underrated film of a man's quest for -God only knows.Idealistic inventor Allie Fox (Harrison Ford) packs up the wife and kids, and heads off to the deep part of the Central American jungle, with an ice-making machine, no less. A man of unquenchable thirst, Fox's obsessive, driving quest destroys not only himself and his family, but all that surrounds him as well. There can be no satisfaction in his world, no accomplishment, no salvation. Saul Zaentz (English Patient) produced and Peter Weir (Truman Show) directed, this Paul Schrader script. That's a good enough reason to suggest right here, but Ford is brilliant as he turns from idealistic inventor to self-described deity. Beautiful jungle landscapes only add to the experience. But the moral to the story is?
Rating:
Summary: Who Says Harrison Ford Can't be a Bad Guy ?
Review: This movie is quite often overlooked, but a great film. Ford stars as an inventor who wants to move to the jungle where it is "pure" and he can build inventions that will make him a god like figure, mainly giving ice to the non-civilized. He does a good job as getting more obsessed throughout the picture, fighting his family's desires to return home "America has been destroyed." It's fun how he downplays everything, like when the town he built from scratch and his ice machine are burned to bits, he shrugs,"I'm glad" while looking at the ashes. All in all, it's refreshing to see Ford as someone other than the hero or the romantic. I definitley recommend this movie. By the way, the DVD doesn't really add any special features, it contains both regular and widescreen versions of the film.
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