Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [Blu-ray]

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1. Anonymous

   October 22, 2010 at 12:26 pm

   Review by for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [Blu-ray]
   Rating:
   The main complaint people seem to have about Master and Commander is that, in effect, there aren’t enough explosions. Indeed, if you’re looking for a hands-down action movie with flying wood and bullets every which way and a battle every five minutes, you’ll probably be disappointed with M&C. But it’s that very lack of brainless violence and “cool action” that makes this movie stand out. It’s rare to see an action movie with such fully developed characters, and Peter Weir could well have limited the characters in favor of more action, which would no doubt have boosted the box office. But the characters are what do it for this movie: the attention spent on the nuances in the friendship between Aubrey and Maturin, the way even children must develop to the “grown-up” conditions of naval life, the way the seamen react to their captain’s executive decisions, sometimes leading to the deaths of their companions. If this film was more concerned with an intricate and action-filled plot, not only would it be untrue to the books on which it’s based, but it would sacrifice what Weir and Patrick O’Brien himself believed to be most important.In short, if you go into this movie expecting “Braveheart” or “Horation Hornblower,” you probably won’t like it. But if your expectations for character development are high, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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2. !Edwin C. Pauzer

   October 22, 2010 at 12:01 pm

   Review by !Edwin C. Pauzer for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [Blu-ray]
   Rating:
   At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Britain and Franch were mortal enemies fighting for dominance of Europe by land and sea. England was threatened with invasion for the first time in three hundred years. The only thing protecting the isle was the Royal Navy. This is the backdrop of Master and Commander who fights for England with his brave crew and stout ship against France on the far side of the world.

   Russell Crowe heads a first rate cast that replays a genre that hasn’t been seen since Gregory Peck played the title role of “Horatio Hornblower.” From a consistent script and story, one gets the impression of what life was like on the high seas during this time and how quickly, silently, and deadly mortal danger could arise. There was no sonar or radar save those in one’s sight, hearing and judgment. And the fog could be one’s enemy as much as it could be a friend.

   Besides the acting, the music lent perfectly to the story, and one can recognize Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 played by Yo Yo Ma. My favorite was Boccherini’s La Musica Notturna Della providing the background for captain’s order to beat to “General Quarters.”

   As soon as you can, steer a course and set sail to your nearest store and purchase “Master and Commander…” It’s one of those stories that seems to get better with each viewing.

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3. Michael J. Mazza

   October 22, 2010 at 11:14 am

   Review by Michael J. Mazza for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [Blu-ray]
   Rating:
   “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” directed by Peter Weir, tells the rousing story of HMS Surprise, an English warship sailing around South America during the Napoleonic era. The ship’s captain (played by Russell Crowe) engages in a battle of wits, wills, and firepower with a rival captain during the perilous sea trek.This is a vivid, exciting tale of naval warfare, but it’s also a satisfying and moving portrayal of a unique community: the company of a warship. The film is full of stirring action scenes, but it is equally rich in the details of the men’s everyday life: their food, shipboard entertainment, naval tradition, etc. It’s a sweaty, muscular portrait that really puts you in the midst of this fascinating world.Weir gets superb performances from the large ensemble cast. Crowe won my heart as the captain: he portrays a man who is tough and witty, but also humane and reasonable. Paul Bettany plays the ship’s surgeon, both a loyal friend and verbal sparring partner for the captain; it’s a marvelously realized relationship. The rest of the cast rises to the high mark set by these excellent performers; Max Pirkis in particular shines as a courageous young midshipman.There are some intense scenes of violence and combat surgery. But this material is not gratuitous, and is handled with care by Weir, who never loses sight of his characters’ humanity. And the film is also about much more than war; it’s also about exploring a distant land and seeing wondrous sights. There are nice moments of humor to balance out the film’s serious themes of military discipline, ethics and tactics. Overall, M&C is a rousing adventure story, told with heart. As a Navy veteran myself, I’d like to thank and commend all involved with this film.

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4. yardoftin

   October 22, 2010 at 10:48 am

   Review by yardoftin for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [Blu-ray]
   Rating:
   Master and Commander is not just for Patrick O’Brian fans. Anyone who enjoys action and drama will enjoy this film. It ranges from great battle scenes with the tang of salt spray to human drama. The primary plot involves a cat and mouse game, set in 1805 during the Napoleonic wars, between Captain Aubrey’s (Russell Crowe’s) ship Surprise and his enemy a French ship Acheron. The Acheron is by far the superior ship in speed, size, and firepower. Captain Aubrey has orders to take the Acheron, while the French seem all too aware of his orders. The chase passes around the tip of South America leaving the Atlantic and entering the Pacific Ocean where Acheron will raise money for Emperor Napoleon by raiding English whalers. The sailing is marvelously recreated. Along for the ride we experience sailing, sea tactics, and life on board a ship of this era. The apprenticeship approach to schooling officers during the Napoleonic era placed children on board fighting vessels. We even see a brief glimpse of a lesson in navigation Captain Aubrey is giving the young midshipmen. Life in harm’s way as the sea becomes a battlefield spares neither young nor old. The crowding, stale food, and mental toll that are a fact of life on vessels that are at sea for long periods of time are graphically portrayed. The mood is lightened by the exhilaration of the hunt and moments of courage, kindness, and Aubrey’s penchant for terrible puns, which fans of O’Brian’s books will recognize.Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), the side kick of this famous duo, provides a counterpoint to Aubrey’s sense of duty. Through him we see medicine of the period grope its way toward the future. As an amateur naturalist, Dr. Maturin visits the Galapagos Islands much as Darwin would have during his famous trip on HMS Beagle 30 years after the 1805 date of the movie. In fact, Dr. Maturin’s desire to visit the Islands becomes a source of conflict between himself and the single minded Aubrey. The resolution to the conflict is a measure of the friendship between Dr. Maturin and “Lucky Jack” Aubrey.

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