5/5 A truly inspiring naval adventure...
  by Andrew Ellington (Mulholland Drive)
One of those movies that has grown (a significant amount I should say) on me over time, `Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World' is probably, in my personal opinion, the greatest swashbuckling sea adventure film ever filmed. Now, when I walked out of the theater the first time I saw this I didn't feel that way.

I was supper hyped about seeing this (you think I worship Peter Sarsgaard, you should see the shrine I have in my bedroom dedicated to thy Holy Crowe) and so I was there opening night with all this built up enthusiasm and wound up nearly falling asleep and completely giving into my friends constant griping and concluded that this was a dud of a film. Problem was, I already promised my father that I would see it with him the next day and so I braced myself for boredom (although I do enjoying watching Crowe do anything). Get this; there in the middle of the day I watched this film through new eyes.

I absolutely loved it.

Now I was already going to buy the film regardless of my feelings (like I said, WORSHIP) but now I had a new outlook and was highly anticipating the DVD release. While the film is glorious (I've seen it nearly twenty times and am strongly considering watching it this evening...the wife is away for the weekend which always turns into an excuse for me to eat pizza, drink beer and watch every Russell Crowe movie I own...which is all of them) I have to give a major shout-out to the extras here, because this DVD is packed with them and they are all amazing. This should be noteworthy coming from me, because if you follow my reviews then you know that I never discuss extras because to me the review is all about the content of the film, not the DVD, but these are just too good to ignore. I don't generally watch the extras but I've seen these a few times and find them thoroughly engaging.

Back to the film.

I think my issue with the film upon first viewing was that I was expecting something totally different. I was under the impression that the last fifteen minutes here (briskly paced, non-stop action) was the entire film. It is not. It is the last fifteen minutes. Now, as we all know, I love slow brooding character studies; but not at midnight (yes, I went to the midnight showing). That was a huge mistake, although had it been a high speed adrenaline rush I don't think it would have been.

So, like I said, the biggest issue was that I was expecting something else entirely.

Upon subsequent viewings (many, as you can tell), I've come to appreciate this film as so much more than just your average high seas tale. There is a beautiful honesty about its portrayal of sea life that makes me quiver in appreciation, but there is also a genuine sense of comradeship that really becomes the basis for the film in my opinion. The chemistry between Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany is utterly fantastic and it really makes this a simmering beauty of a film. There is a natural elegance with the way Crowe portrays Jack Aubrey's feelings towards his crew, and the awkwardness with which he tells a joke (much like a grandfather at a dinner party, unsure of others reactions but sure in his own `need' to tell it) is completely endearing. Just witness the way he allows his character to seep into his delivery, making every word seem so natural and almost expected ("Name a shrub after me; something prickly and hard to eradicate.") Matching him every step of the way is Bettany who completely soaks his character Stephen in a rich loyalty and constant admiration. Even when Jack displeases Stephen you can tell he is only displeased because he knows in his heart that Jack can do better. He believes in him that strongly. Both performances are utterly stunning and completely deserving of any and all praise.

The fact that both were snubbed of Oscar nominations is disgusting, especially when those hammy `Mystic River' men took home the gold.

Peter Weir is in top form here, creating such an authentic look at naval life. I love the way that the creaks from the wood on the boat can be heard in every frame. There is not a single false note here. It's remarkable to tell you the truth; totally and completely remarkable.

So, knowing what you are in for will surely heighten your appreciation for this modern masterpiece. It is the best of a genre and more than that, the best in the world that is cinema. It fleshes out not just the two men who form the focus of the film, but it fleshes out the world that is sea life; the ship itself becoming a major player in this film.

4/5 Captures Napoleonic Naval Warfare
  by James D. Crabtree (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba)
I found this film to be extremely well-done. Naval combat during the Napoleonic Wars was an extremely unpleasant and bloody business and this movie addresses this aspect. There was a lot of drama form the interaction of the crew and the circumstances in which they are placed. And the acting is excellent. This is a war film which is certainly worth watching.

5/5 Excellent Seafaring Tale - Blu-Ray
  by JBGood (Lansdale USA)
Excellent Napoleonic seafaring tale recounting the lone pursuit by HMS Surprise of the French warship Acheron set in 1805 in the South Atlantic and Pacific. The acting performances are top level throughout whether we're talking about Russell Crowe's Captain Aubrey of the Surprise or any of the other shipboard mates and midshipmen. The movie provides close-up and brutal battle action featuring 18-inch guns and on-board swashbuckling scuffles that take the fight right into your 5.1 surround home theater room.

Highlights of this atmospheric film include the opening battle with the Acheron, sailing through a dangerous storm at Cape Horn with enormous waves thrusting at the ship, an all too brief visit by the ship's naturalist to the Galapagos to check out the animal life, musical duet by Crowe and ship's surgeon Paul Bettany, and the final encounter and victory over the Acheron.

In between we get a realistic look at daily shipboard life and the usual protocol and conflicts between midshipmen and the crew and the captain. While impatient viewers may lust for more intense action here, these scenes do everything to make the story all the more realistic. This is the kind of film that becomes even more appreciated on repeated viewings. There is one editing mistake: In the midshipmen's sextant training scene, Blakeney is momentarily shown with two hands; he lost his right arm earlier in the first encounter with the Acheron.

The Blu-ray production is mostly first-rate including ship detail, uniforms, facial features, and even the texture of paper on written letters and seacharts. It did seem like some initial terrain scenes in the Galapogos were far less than 1080 lines.

Special Features. Fox previews are here where they belong. The Map feature allows you to press Enter anytime to display a map in the lower corner which indicates the current position of the HMS Surprise.

Deleted scenes - Many of these should have been left in the release: A guy getting his tooth pulled the old-fashioned way is quite humorous as is that of the lad getting tattoed with the basic ink and needle method. Scenes of the Surprise cruising in the open ocean and especially those on the Galapagos where the scene with the tortoses is expanded and the blue-footed booby is examined. These scenes may have added another 15 minutes but would have been worthwhile (future Director's release of course). The deleted scenes are only DVD quality.

4/5 Flirts with significance but rings hallow in the end
  by R. McOuat (Winston-Salem, NC)
I was unclear with what was the purpose of this story. What was Captain Jack trying to do? The movie flirts with a Captain Ahab theme. Is Captain Jack obsessed with a formidable foe? Has he rejected reason for the pursuit for French ship Acheron, his Moby Dick? There are allusions to the albatross and the curse of Jonah. Another neglected theme was the relationship that developed between Lucky Jack and Dr. Stephen Maturin. The doctor has scientific ambitions that would have permitted him to beat Charles Darwin to the punch. However, each time he is promised an opportunity to explore the Galapagos, Captain Jack pulls out to pursue his military duties. The relationship briefly presents the case that our wars have prevented us from progressing as a culture. That could have been cool, but then changes direction. In the end, the cohesive theme is that Captain Jack is a superhero mariner who can do no wrong. Even during his brief displays of obsession, the crew seems to collectively roll their eyes in a knowing manner. Even when overmatched, he cannot lose. And what is the deal with the doctor and captain playing their violin and cello sideways like guitars at the end? Is this Hollywood's effort at revisionist history to bestow rock'n'roll star status to century old heroes?

I can not say enough about the technical points of this movie. Visually authentic. Dramatically engaging.


5/5 Crowes Commanding Performance
  by VegasGolf G (Las Vegas, NV)
If you are a Russell Crowe fan, this epic will not disapoint. The cinamatography and storyline were suberbly directed into a film that will be favorite for years to come.