The Princess Bride

Rating:
Summary: Rob Reiner Weaves His Best In Fanatsy!
Review: THE PRINCESS BRIDE is directors Rob Reiner (A Few Good Men, Stand By Me) third feature film ever. It was based on a book written by Academy Award Winner William Goldwin (Misery, Maverick, Chaplin) who wrote this book for his children in 1973. After almost 15 years, and several studios, MGM decided to back it up and make the finished film.

It fun, it's funny and has adventure and romance, monsters and villains. It also has some of the best performances of an ensemble cast in a fairy tale ever. Robin Write-Penn (Then Robin Write at 19 years old) (Forrest Gump, Unbreakable) starring as Princess Buttercup who has fallen in love with a farm boy-turned Pirate, Cary Elwes (Twister, Robin Hood: Men In Tights, Quest For Camelot) and is seeking the kidnapped Princess from three renegades played by Wallace Shawn (Toy Story, Star Trek Deep Space Nine). The late Andre The Giant (Trading Mom) and an astounding performance by Mandy Patikin (Yentel, Alien Nation, Chicago Hope-TV ). Christopher Sarandon (Nightmare Before Christmas, Fright Night, Just Cause) and Christopher Guest (This Is Spinal Tap, Best In Show) head up the evil King and sidekick roles. The chemistry between Cary and Mandy is phenomenal. They are seriously funny in a sarcastic and monotoned way. The swordplay is the best I have seen since Errol Flynn.

What makes this movie special and energetic is the magic of fantasy with a splash of you have to believe in True Love for all this to work and for your happiness to be real. Shot entirely on location and with a minimum of a budget the movie is wonderful to watch and look at. A GEM for all the family - literally.

The DVD extras include three behind the scenes documentaries and lots of production photos. Very well put together and filled with interesting comments and antique dotes from all the cast and crew. There's even a behind the scenes home movie view of the production thanks to Carry Elwis himself. Of the trailers and production posters show you more of movie making and what it takes. The audio commentary by Rob Reiner is comical and very interesting. There is also a commentary by William Goldwin which gives you a lot of insighjt to the production. This is a great addition to the family film collection. (10-27-02)

Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie Ever...
Review: "The Princess Bride" has been my favorite movie ever since the first time I watched it. I can't actually recall when that was, but I'm 19, so probably about 10 years ago. This story is everything is promises to be: sports, fighting, giants, monsters, revenge, and true love. For the guys, you've got it made. Everything you could expect from a great movie is here, except for maybe a car chase. (Will you settle for ships and horses?) For the girls, this story is every fairy tale fantasy you've ever had come true. The cast is filled with the brilliance of Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Christopher Guest, Chris Sarandon, Peter Falk, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane and a few unnamed rodent puppets. And that's just the supporting cast! Cary Elwes is absolutely excellent in "The Princess Bride". Not only is he an wonderful swordsmen and a great comedian, he's not too bad to look at either. Robin Wright (yeah, the girl from "Forrest Gump") is very young in this movie, but her talent is obvious. She plays the part of a young woman in love as if she really is inside the movie; she's not just playing Buttercup, she IS Buttercup. I assure you, that is how you will feel after watching "The Princess Bride". It will become a part of your being, and you will feel as though you lived it, rather than watched it. You will find yourself replying to a request from someone, "As you wish", and you may find yourself speaking in rhyme from time to time. You may even walk up to a strange man on the street with six fingers on his right hand and say to him, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die". And if you find someone to watch it with you who falls in love with it too, you can say to them, "No more rhyming, now I mean it!" And they will reply, "Anybody want a peanut?" Happy movie watching!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Love, True Love for filmmaking
Review: As of this writing, THE PRINCESS BRIDE has received over 650 reviews from fans (and a few foes) across the Amazon world. This sort of response generally means that the film has touched so many people in so many ways. It is one of those rare films that is cross-generational and cross-cultural. Why? For all those obvious reasons: it is exciting, romantic, very funny, and, above all else, completely not full of itself. As a writer, it's one of those works that I wish I had written.

Where else but in a world of fantasy can a child feel comfortable with pirates, giants, swordsmen, (Yiddish) wizards, brute squads, evil princes and counts, albino henchmen, and a sea full of eels? The great cast just exudes joy--you can tell they loved making this movie: Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Peter Falk, Carol Kane, Billy Crystal, the dozen other cameo appearances, all contribute to this happy film. In some one else's hands, this could have been a mess. But because of the careful casting and Rob Reiner's impeccable direction, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is like a visual toy chest filled with joys.

Rating:
Summary: Another Classic For the Whole Family!
Review: THE PRINCESS BRIDE is more than a fantasy/romance. It has something for everyone; action, romance, adventure, heroics, treachery, villains, monsters, and magic. This is by far Rob Reiner's best movie to date as the direction, and story re-written by William Goldman makes it even more enjoyable than the actual novel.

Excellent choice of casting makes the characters firm and believable: Cary Elwes is Westley, the farm boy and swashbuckling hero. Robin Wright is Princess Buttercup, brave, rebellious, never afraid to die for her lover. Chris Sarandon is Prince Humperdinck, usurping, bold, evil to the bone, loves watching people tortured, and at the same time charming. Mandy Patinkin is Inigo Montoya, a Spanish Swordsman who seeks the Murderer of his Father. Christopher Guest is the 6-fingered Count Rugen, silent, sinister, and gives an excellent impersonation of Henry Daniell from THE SEA HAWK. Andre the Giant is Fezzik, fearsome and funny with some good rhymes to spare. Wallace Shawn is Vizzini, witty, volatile, and in many wasy "Inconceivable!"

Fred Savage is home sick with the flu, and Peter Falk as Grandfather reads the tale throughout. Film gets more exciting as voracious sea eels, gigantic cliffs, sword fights, quicksand, large rodents, and witches and warlocks, are only to name a few of the many obstacles throughout the quest. Special Edition DVD has great special features, commentary by Rob Reiner and cast members, and the color contrast is splendid and looks great in widescreen.

Relentless adventure and excitement. You're all going to love this one!

Rating:
Summary: the Princess Bride Review
Review: The Princess Bride is a timeless romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner. This entertaining movie is a fairy tale full of charm, humor, and plenty of excitement. Fighting, torture, revenge, giants, escapes, miracles, and true love are among the many thrilling situations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The movie contains a story within a story. It begins with a sick little boy in bed (Fred Savage) and his grandfather (Peter Falk) who comes to visit the boy and read him the story of The Princes Bride. The boy at first is unhappy because he thinks his grandfather is reading him a story about kissing, but he soon realizes that although the story is about true love, it is filled with all types of adventures. As the fantasy part of the story unfolds, both the boy and the viewers are transported to a medieval, make-believe place, Florin, where Buttercup (Robin Wright) meets and falls in love with Wesley, (Cary Elwes) a farm boy, whom she orders around with his only response being "As you wish." They soon fall in love but he decides to leave to seek his fortune, only after promising to return and marry Buttercup. Buttercup then receives news that the Dred Pirates attacked Wesley's ship and that he died. Years later, after being forced to become engaged to the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandom), Buttercup is kidnapped by an odd group of three: Vizzini, (Wallace Shawn) the brains of the group; Montoya, (Mandy Pantinkin) a Spanish swordsman; and Fezzick (Andre the Giant) the strong giant. A man in black who turns out to be Wesley pursues the kidnappers and Buttercup. With the help of a wrinkled miracle maker (Billy Crystal), and Wesley's new friends, Montoya and Fezzick, he and Buttercup are reunited and live happily ever after.
Under the thrilling direction of Reiner, and the funny situations created by scriptwriter, William Goldman, the movie can be appreciated by a person of any age. It captures the young crowd with its exhilarating adventures involving fireswamps, swordfights, and sandpits. The movie also appeals to an older crowd because of its clever comedy and romance. Who cannot be amused by Billy Crystal's antics and declarations that Wesley is only "mostly dead?" The plot and the sub-plots are not only well developed but they flow smoothly, supporting the main theme of the movie, which is overcoming obstacles in order to find your "true love." Nevertheless, my only negative comment is that the movie leaves one loose end; you do not know what happens to the evil Prince Humperdinck.
The cast including the actors with cameo roles do a terrific job in connecting all of the characters and subplots. For example, Wesley is trying to reunite with his one true love; along the way he befriends Montoya who is trying to avenge his father's death. Wesley and Montoya both need the help of Miracle Max, who has his own axe to grind with Prince Humperdinck. Other things that are great and visually amazing about this movie are the swordplay scenes between Inigo and Wesley and Fezzik's battles, which are all excellently choreographed.
This movie will definitely become a part of you. You will find yourself repeating some of the movie's well-known lines like, "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die," or phrases such as, "As you wish," "Inconceivable," or "Mawige." It is a funny and enjoyable movie that can be seen over and over again without losing its magic. If you have not seen this movie yet, you are missing out on something special. The Princess Bride is a must have for any home movie collection.

Rating:
Summary: Any one who can watch ths without laughing needs to be....
Review: committed, medicated and worked over by the best shrinks money can buy, an exorcisim probably wouldn't hurt either.

Rating:
Summary: Royal Flush
Review: A hilarious mixture of Errol Flynn swashbuckler and Monty Python send-up, THE PRINCESS BRIDE works as love story, as adventure, and as satire. In the framing story, a sick 10-year-old (Fred Savage) is visited by his grandfather (Peter Falk), who reads him "The Princess Bride", a "kissing" story set in a medieval make-believe land. In it, the beautiful Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) reluctantly becomes engaged to a prince (Chris Sarandon) when her true love, Westley (Cary Elwes), disappears. Soon, however, she is kidnapped by a crafty Sicilian (Wallace Shawn) and his hirelings, Spanish swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and gargantuan Fezzik (Andre the Giant). Buttercup is rescued by a mysterious man in black, who turns out to be Westley; but after surviving the Dreaded Fireswamp, they are apprehended by the prince. Buttercup agrees to marry the prince when he promises to free Westley, but the dashing lad is actually tortured to death--or is he? With the help of a wizened miracle maker (Billy Crystal), Inigo and Fezzik join forces with Westley to fight the forces of evil.

With tongues in cheeks and hearts on sleeves, director Rob Reiner and scripter William Goldman create a dazzling adventure for viewers of all ages, while at the same time hilariously satirizing the same genre. Goldman's screenplay, adapted from his own novel, made the rounds for 14 years before finally making it to the screen. The wait was worth it. When it comes to pleasing both kids and adults, you can't do much better than THE PRINCESS BRIDE.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie Ever...
Review: "The Princess Bride" has been my favorite movie ever since the first time I watched it. I can't actually recall when that was, but I'm 19, so probably about 10 years ago. This story is everything is promises to be: sports, fighting, giants, monsters, revenge, and true love. For the guys, you've got it made. Everything you could expect from a great movie is here, except for maybe a car chase. (Will you settle for ships and horses?) For the girls, this story is every fairy tale fantasy you've ever had come true. The cast is filled with the brilliance of Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Christopher Guest, Chris Sarandon, Peter Falk, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane and a few unnamed rodent puppets. And that's just the supporting cast! Cary Elwes is absolutely excellent in "The Princess Bride". Not only is he an wonderful swordsmen and a great comedian, he's not too bad to look at either. Robin Wright (yeah, the girl from "Forrest Gump") is very young in this movie, but her talent is obvious. She plays the part of a young woman in love as if she really is inside the movie; she's not just playing Buttercup, she IS Buttercup. I assure you, that is how you will feel after watching "The Princess Bride". It will become a part of your being, and you will feel as though you lived it, rather than watched it. You will find yourself replying to a request from someone, "As you wish", and you may find yourself speaking in rhyme from time to time. You may even walk up to a strange man on the street with six fingers on his right hand and say to him, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die". And if you find someone to watch it with you who falls in love with it too, you can say to them, "No more rhyming, now I mean it!" And they will reply, "Anybody want a peanut?" Happy movie watching!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: An Awesome Movie (Review by Jennifer Baker)
Review: The Princess Bride is an excellent movie, and though at first viewing may seem pretty simple, it has much deeper meeting, but it may take more than one viewing to see this. First of all, it teaches the all-too-true, and sometimes overused lesson that good will prevail over evil. This is shown in Inigo's avenging of his father's death and Westley's rescuing of his true love, escaping his encounter with death, surviving "The Machine", making it through the fire swamp, battling the ROUS's, wrestling a giant, swordfighting with a Spaniard, and out-witting a Sicilian. (whew!) However, if you look closely, and watch this movie at least 100 times (which I have), then you will come to see that there is a lot of symbolism in The Princess Bride. Whether Buttercup is wearing blue (sadness) when she is getting married or red (danger) when she is kidnapped,the symbolism in this movie shows just how detailed this movie really is, which in turn makes it all the more fun to look for and watch. So in conclusion, The Princess Bride is a swashbuckling fun time for the whole family!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: The tragedy of the Princess Bride
Review: This movie will make you laugh the first time you see it. The second time you see it you will curse it for its sentimentality. But the sentimentality is purely superficial. The third time you see it you will come to know and mourn its sad tragic core. There are a million improbable rescues in this movie. Our heroes confront a million deadly dangers and by sheer fate, chance, or the perverse will of the script writer our heroes always get off the hook. I do not feel I am giving anything away when I say that. The movie demands to be treated like a sublime, beautiful, and humorous joke. But underneathe all of those escapes and rescues, underneathe the jokes and one-liners, underneathe the sight gags and grand visual frivolity is a darker story. There is a scene ( I won't give it away) where that bold swashbuckler Inigo cofronts Count Rugen - the man who murdered his father. They have a duel and in the last instant Inigo finally tells Count Rugen what he really wants. It is, actually, the one thing Inigo ever wanted in his entire life. That mere sentence, what Inigo says to Count Rugen, is one of the greatest lines in movie history. It is, in itself, the true tragic and spiritual center of the film. All of those escapes and rescues and jokes are totally false. They make us feel good but they lie. The movie itself admits openly that the film is merely a fantasy - a fantasy in the good sense that it ignores the grotesquely limited constraints of realism; but also a fantasy in the sense that it is what wounded children ( all of us) had wished had happened. No one who sees this film will have any regrets.