Master and Commander: The Far Side of the… Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
2003 Directed by Peter Weir
Synopsis
The Courage To Do The Impossible Lies In The Hearts of Men.
During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.
Cast
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This film oozes skill and craftsmanship from every cinematic pore.
Adapted from a couple of novels from Patrick O'Brian's 20 volume Aubrey-Maturin series, it manages to capture the sense of adventure and historical allusion really well. I have read a fair few of these novels and they all share a common trait and that is deep characterization, historical accuracy and spectacle.
The latter of those is often easily transferred to film, the first two not so much. Leave it to Weir, who averages about 1 film every two years, to not only capture the characters but also submerge us in a richly detailed historical setting that feels refreshingly authentic. Granted he perhaps focusses a bit too much on the characters…
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Once more it turns up on Sky and I stop everything to watch it yet again. My second favourite movie of the Noughts, after The Incredibles. Pure joy from start to finish, impeccably made, inspiring and exciting and oh God I just want nineteen sequels why why is that suddenly too much to ask?!?!?
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In pursuit of science and spirit:
The sea churns—
And the ship sails on… -
Oh shit, get your towels ready
It's about to go down
Everybody in the place hit the fucking deck
But stay on your motherfucking toes
We running this, let's goI'm on a boat, I'm on a boat
Everybody look at me
'Cause I'm sailing on a boat
I'm on a boat, I'm on a boat
Take a good hard look
At the motherfucking boatI'm on a boat motherfucker, take a look at me
Straight flowing on a boat on the deep blue sea
Busting five knots, wind whipping out my coat
You can't stop me motherfucker, 'cause I'm on a boatTake a picture, trick, I'm on a boat, bitch
We drinking Santana champ 'cause it's so crisp… -
There's something about two behemoth ships waging war on one another that is completely involving and enticing. I'm not always fond of huge action sequences but cannons blowing splinters into mere mortals really rubs my rogers. Master and Commander boasts incredible effects, sound design, art direction, and all-round marvelous work from the production team. It is also, amidst this, a beautifully serene film. There is just something about watching the trivial pursuits of man on top of the vast encompassing beauty of the sea.
I thought for sure this film would end in tragedy for nearly all of the characters, i was pleasantly surprised, my lack of history knowledge continues to benefit me. Even those who abhor Russell Crowe cannot… -
In a just world, the Aubrey/Maturin series would result in at least a cinematic trilogy. Weir gets absolutely everything right here: it's a dense, highly specific story, told with wit, joy, and loads of energy. The cast is universally charismatic, the photography beautiful, the CG both more impressive and more realistic than all the Orc armies and sea monsters we've been battered with since.
A lovely, old-fashioned, big little movie, the kind of which we won't see again soon.
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Cinematography / original score porn. Some of the shots in this movie had me floored. The world created was mesmerizing, and I hope future generations will appreciate this film even more than mine did.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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I only remember being kind of bored by this at the time. I know lots of people have raved about the film over the years, so I'd definitely be willing to give it another chance to see what the hell I missed the first time.
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I remembered it more fondly
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It took me three viewings to get through this film. That alone should sum it up.
It is a good film, but slow and steady with not a whole lot of momentum. Bettany is great as always and the amputee is a favorite.
Crowe on the other hand is just as bland as the scenery of this film... -
I am warning you now that I love this film to death and in my eyes is a near perfect film and so this review will basically consist of me raving on about this 138 minute long orgasm. I honestly believe that if not for Return of the King this would have swept the Oscars in very much the same style for it was nominated in almost all the same categories if I recall. This film just gives me that great feeling of an epic adventure as if I too am sailing the seas on the far side of the world chasing some french asshole.
To start I love just how simple and enjoyable the story is. As far as…
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Epic film making at its best. In awe!
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In a just world, the Aubrey/Maturin series would result in at least a cinematic trilogy. Weir gets absolutely everything right here: it's a dense, highly specific story, told with wit, joy, and loads of energy. The cast is universally charismatic, the photography beautiful, the CG both more impressive and more realistic than all the Orc armies and sea monsters we've been battered with since.
A lovely, old-fashioned, big little movie, the kind of which we won't see again soon.
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A terrific and intelligent historical action movie. A great shame it failed to do the business to get further adventures of Lucky Captain Jack on the screen.