The acclaimed veteran filmmaker Peter Weir co-wrote, co-produced, and directed this excellent seagoing adventure. It takes place in 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars, when a British ship dubbed the H.M.S. Surprise is undertaking a crucial mission. It must track down the French craft the Acheron and either capture or destroy it. The Surprises' captain, Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), learns during an initial encounter with the Acheron that it's a true force to reckon with: stealthy, lethal, more densely populated, and packing more firepower. Jack realizes that in order to get the upper hand on the Acheron and its crew, he will have to do some creative thinking.
One hopes that Hollywood will be able to continue producing this kind of entertainment. No expense was spared in the creation of this film; in one word, it's a VIVID experience. The viewer feels swept right up into the atmosphere of this great ship. They also feel the tension during various exciting battle scenes; Weir has the film begin quietly, but does not make the audience wait long for things to start happening.
But it's not all about action. At first, it may be difficult to keep track of supporting characters, but they eventually begin to get real showcase moments. Crowe is solid as a rock as the steadfast captain, not that we'd expect any less. He and Paul Bettany, as Jacks' friend and the ships' doctor, are believable as longtime friends, and they even get to perform music during their relaxation time. They're surrounded by a wonderful bunch of unsung British actors. David Threlfall is amusing as a crusty old steward, Robert Pugh is very good as a pragmatic sailing master, Lee Ingleby is endearing as an officer who feels disrespected by the sailors, and Max Pirkis is engaging as a child who proves his worth in the thick of battle.
A first-rate production in every way, this features some great production design, widescreen photography, and visual effects, and delightful, eclectic music. It's a very long but engrossing story (based on a series of novels by Patrick O'Brian) with time for vignettes such as the memorable one on The Galapagos Islands. Dr. Maturin (Bettany) has a side interest as a naturalist, and he's always eager to discover new species. One apparently flightless cormorant is particularly intriguing to him. Jack and the good doctor also have a key moment when the captains' motivations are questioned; what we learn is that the captain takes his military duty very seriously.
With characters this watchable and slick filmmaking at its most professional, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" really does make you feel like you're in a different time and place.
10 out of 10.
One hopes that Hollywood will be able to continue producing this kind of entertainment. No expense was spared in the creation of this film; in one word, it's a VIVID experience. The viewer feels swept right up into the atmosphere of this great ship. They also feel the tension during various exciting battle scenes; Weir has the film begin quietly, but does not make the audience wait long for things to start happening.
But it's not all about action. At first, it may be difficult to keep track of supporting characters, but they eventually begin to get real showcase moments. Crowe is solid as a rock as the steadfast captain, not that we'd expect any less. He and Paul Bettany, as Jacks' friend and the ships' doctor, are believable as longtime friends, and they even get to perform music during their relaxation time. They're surrounded by a wonderful bunch of unsung British actors. David Threlfall is amusing as a crusty old steward, Robert Pugh is very good as a pragmatic sailing master, Lee Ingleby is endearing as an officer who feels disrespected by the sailors, and Max Pirkis is engaging as a child who proves his worth in the thick of battle.
A first-rate production in every way, this features some great production design, widescreen photography, and visual effects, and delightful, eclectic music. It's a very long but engrossing story (based on a series of novels by Patrick O'Brian) with time for vignettes such as the memorable one on The Galapagos Islands. Dr. Maturin (Bettany) has a side interest as a naturalist, and he's always eager to discover new species. One apparently flightless cormorant is particularly intriguing to him. Jack and the good doctor also have a key moment when the captains' motivations are questioned; what we learn is that the captain takes his military duty very seriously.
With characters this watchable and slick filmmaking at its most professional, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" really does make you feel like you're in a different time and place.
10 out of 10.