Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD EAN: 5039036017046 Format: PAL Number Of Discs: 2 Region Code: 2 Theatrical Release Date: 2003-11-14
In the capable hands of director Peter Weir, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a seafaring adventure like no other, impeccably authentic, dynamically cast, and thrilling enough to give any classic swashbuckler a run for its money. In adapting two of Patrick O'Brian's enormously popular novels about British naval hero Capt. Jack Aubrey, Weir and cowriter John Collee have changed the timeframe from the British/American war of 1812 to the British/French opposition of 1805, where the HMS Surprise, under Aubrey's confident command, is patrolling the South Atlantic in pursuit of the Acheron, a French warship with the strategic advantage of greater size, speed, and artillery. Russell Crowe is outstanding as Aubrey, firm and fiercely loyal, focused on his prey even if it means locking horns with his friend and ship's surgeon, played by Crowe's A Beautiful Mind costar Paul Bettany. Employing a seamless combination of carefully matched ocean footage, detailed models, full-scale ships, and CGI enhancements, Weir pays exacting attention to every nautical detail, while maintaining a very human story of honor, warfare, and survival under wretched conditions. Raging storms and hull-shattering battles provide pulse-pounding action, and a visit to the Galapagos Islands lends a note of otherworldly wonder, adding yet another layer of historical perspective to this splendidly epic adventure. --Jeff Shannon
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Great movie and Blu-Ray title. Comment: If you want to give your surround sound system a workout, this is the title. The opening battle will shake the room. The movie itself is a masterpiece...a very realistic portrayal of life on the high seas, with good performances all around. Customer Rating: Summary: One of My Favorites Comment: I do not usually write reviews of movies but this time I had to because this film masterpiece is one of my all time favorites because everything about it is top notch. I was virtually taken back in time by the realism of the film. While the acting by all the major characters was fantastic; and the cinematography that so beautifully captured that time in history; the surround sound recording of the creaks and groans of an old ship, the sound of swords clashing, the bang of canons along with such realistic sounds of a storm at sea; all contributed to making this film a rare work of art. Those who wrote reviews saying that this film was boring either had AADD or were expecting some super-hero movie. I believe they should try to watch this film one more time and pay attention. I cannot help but believe they will come away with a much better experience. Customer Rating: Summary: Master and Commander...magnificent blu-ray! Comment: Having read 14 of the 20 or so novels in Patrick O'Brien's series on the British navy during the Napoleonic wars, this film captures the heart of the stories, ie, the relationship between "lucky" Jack Aubrey and Dr Stephen Maturin. I've seen the original DVD (sans blu-ray) and loved it, both for picture and sound. But, the blu-ray version is beyond description. Intense color contrasts and crushing, almost overwhelming sound makes this one of the best adventure films you'll ever see. While the majority of the story follows the "Far Side of the World" book, it also is interspliced with scenes that are found in earlier series books. This doesn't interfere with the screenplay, but only enhances the opportunity to get to know the characters better. One can only hope that another movie based on these books is being considered. The casting is superb and contains an eye for detail that the screenwriter caught perfectly. Hundreds of reviews by top reviewers in every major newspaper and magazine have called these books the best historical novels ever written. This film, and especially the blu-ray enhancement, certainly does them justice. Customer Rating: Summary: Boring Comment: Better make that boooooooorrrrrrrrrinnnnnnnnnnng, because this drags on and on and on, with no end in sight skip it! Customer Rating: Summary: movie lover Comment: First time I watched this I wasen't crazy about it I was distracted thru the whole movie with company at our house. Then I watched it by myself & have been hooked on it ever since, glad I gave it a second chance because now it's one of my favorites of all times for movies!
