The Perfect Storm just may be the only 4 star film I have seen yet this year. It's tension builds well past that of M:I 2, and for over an hour you are kept with the storm and it's characters. Their isn't much you can say that's wrong with this film. This isn't a film where the characters are as complex as those in Magnolia. I mention this only because of the past comments on this site bashing it for it's bad character development and lacking script. If you are one of those people - pull your head out of your ass and look at the films title.
As for the characters the acting is superb. George Clooney and Mark Whalburg are together again and do an excellent job. We really believe that they are in a storm by all the moments of hesitation, faces of fear, and the tension of their verbal fights. Some may be surprised by the familiar faces surrounding the boat. John C. Reily - a highly praised actor from those familiar with Paul Thomas Anderson's brilliant work (myself included). Mary Elizabeth Mastriano (?) from Robin Hood and The Abyss. John Finchtner in another supporting role. There is even a brief performance from Michael Ironside. But one of the films very best performances is by Diane Lane as Bobby's wife.
The special effects might be the films most talked about moments. It spends well over an hour with the storm and it's so hard to believe that the actors are just standing behind blue screens for some of these scenes (tanks and wind blowers were also used to a large extent). In some gripping scenes such as when Billy (George Clooney) has to snap off the anchor we wonder how in hell this was filmed with so much going on (the crew watching their captain, the captain on the crane, the anchor flying around him left to right, and of course the waves behind him while some nearly knock him off the boat). These moments are done with skill from the ILM team, but also to the great stunt-men who nearly double the size of the cast.
Warner Bros. obviously wanted this film to hit big, which it will. But I find it rare for a film like this to be released over the 4th of July weekend. While it's big on special effects and budget, the film is more gripping and intense for most blockbusters that are released around this time (The Patriot included). It also has a tale of human struggle and very sad moments all around. This may be the film to see this summer, but hopefully it will remain one of the best films of the year.
As for the characters the acting is superb. George Clooney and Mark Whalburg are together again and do an excellent job. We really believe that they are in a storm by all the moments of hesitation, faces of fear, and the tension of their verbal fights. Some may be surprised by the familiar faces surrounding the boat. John C. Reily - a highly praised actor from those familiar with Paul Thomas Anderson's brilliant work (myself included). Mary Elizabeth Mastriano (?) from Robin Hood and The Abyss. John Finchtner in another supporting role. There is even a brief performance from Michael Ironside. But one of the films very best performances is by Diane Lane as Bobby's wife.
The special effects might be the films most talked about moments. It spends well over an hour with the storm and it's so hard to believe that the actors are just standing behind blue screens for some of these scenes (tanks and wind blowers were also used to a large extent). In some gripping scenes such as when Billy (George Clooney) has to snap off the anchor we wonder how in hell this was filmed with so much going on (the crew watching their captain, the captain on the crane, the anchor flying around him left to right, and of course the waves behind him while some nearly knock him off the boat). These moments are done with skill from the ILM team, but also to the great stunt-men who nearly double the size of the cast.
Warner Bros. obviously wanted this film to hit big, which it will. But I find it rare for a film like this to be released over the 4th of July weekend. While it's big on special effects and budget, the film is more gripping and intense for most blockbusters that are released around this time (The Patriot included). It also has a tale of human struggle and very sad moments all around. This may be the film to see this summer, but hopefully it will remain one of the best films of the year.