(possible minor spoilers)
'Loyalty' is an excellent movie. The Hornblower saga has become renown among fans and non-fans alike, and 'Loyalty' only continues this tradition. The acting ensemble assembled for this cast includes some of the finest Britain has to offer--along with some no-names as well. Ioan Gruffudd's performance could be topped by no one in a round of some of the greatest acting that could be found on television. He truly comes into his own in this role, portraying Hornblower's move from boy to man with perfection. Perfectly complimented by Paul McGann as the gruff Lt. Bush, the two make a unique duo of friends--so marked by their professional relationship as well. The dynamic between these two, as well as Hornblower with all his officers and men aboard the Hotspur, is incredibly acted and remarkably convincing.
'Loyalty''s land action is exceptional as well. Julia Sawalha is perfectly cast as Maria--poor, dumpy, and completely pathetic. Hornblower is left completely unaware of his effect on her, and she plays it off beautifully. More well-played characters come from Greg Wise as the illustrious French Major Cotard and a virtually unknown Jonathan Forbes as the intelligent Midshipman Wellard. Christian Coulson does a fabulous job creating the weak Jack Hammond, and his performance and cowardice (yet, being redeemed in the end) hit home with the viewer. Robert Lindsay is nothing short of great in his role as Admiral Pellew, as always.
The special effects and action sequences of 'Loyalty' are top-notch as well. The entire cast plays it off as very convincing, and the battles are dramatic and completely realistic.
'Loyalty' does seem to sacrifice a small fraction of believability to further the story. The plot is little weak at certain points, and large revelation at the end may leave the viewer going "...Huh?". However, I think that these are only minor points in what is, over all, a very well-produced new Hornblower movie. It will please long-time fans, as well as rope in new ones. Loyalty is nice in its ability to stand alone as a Hornblower movie, but yet entices new viewers to backtrack and watch the beginning of the series as well.
The ending of Loyalty will leaving you giggling again with Gruffudd's brilliant acting; more importantly, it leaves you wanting more...luckily, the series continues with 'Duty', the second part of Hornblower's story as captain of the Hotspur.
'Loyalty' is an excellent movie. The Hornblower saga has become renown among fans and non-fans alike, and 'Loyalty' only continues this tradition. The acting ensemble assembled for this cast includes some of the finest Britain has to offer--along with some no-names as well. Ioan Gruffudd's performance could be topped by no one in a round of some of the greatest acting that could be found on television. He truly comes into his own in this role, portraying Hornblower's move from boy to man with perfection. Perfectly complimented by Paul McGann as the gruff Lt. Bush, the two make a unique duo of friends--so marked by their professional relationship as well. The dynamic between these two, as well as Hornblower with all his officers and men aboard the Hotspur, is incredibly acted and remarkably convincing.
'Loyalty''s land action is exceptional as well. Julia Sawalha is perfectly cast as Maria--poor, dumpy, and completely pathetic. Hornblower is left completely unaware of his effect on her, and she plays it off beautifully. More well-played characters come from Greg Wise as the illustrious French Major Cotard and a virtually unknown Jonathan Forbes as the intelligent Midshipman Wellard. Christian Coulson does a fabulous job creating the weak Jack Hammond, and his performance and cowardice (yet, being redeemed in the end) hit home with the viewer. Robert Lindsay is nothing short of great in his role as Admiral Pellew, as always.
The special effects and action sequences of 'Loyalty' are top-notch as well. The entire cast plays it off as very convincing, and the battles are dramatic and completely realistic.
'Loyalty' does seem to sacrifice a small fraction of believability to further the story. The plot is little weak at certain points, and large revelation at the end may leave the viewer going "...Huh?". However, I think that these are only minor points in what is, over all, a very well-produced new Hornblower movie. It will please long-time fans, as well as rope in new ones. Loyalty is nice in its ability to stand alone as a Hornblower movie, but yet entices new viewers to backtrack and watch the beginning of the series as well.
The ending of Loyalty will leaving you giggling again with Gruffudd's brilliant acting; more importantly, it leaves you wanting more...luckily, the series continues with 'Duty', the second part of Hornblower's story as captain of the Hotspur.