Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

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Master and Commander: The Far ...

Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, James D'Arcy, Lee Ingleby

Director Peter Weir's first turn behind the camera since 1998's critically acclaimed The Truman Show, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is based on two Napoleonic War-era adventure novel... read more read more...s in author Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, Master and Commander and The Far Side of the World. Russell Crowe stars as Captain Jack Aubrey, a high-seas adventurer who maintains a strong bond with ship-surgeon Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany). After conquering much of Europe already, Napoleon's forces have set their sights on taking Britain, so Aubrey and the crew of his ship, the HMS Surprise, take to the Pacific to intercept any attacking ships from the French fleet. When Aubrey eyes a renegade French super-frigate, the Surprise pursues, leading to an adrenaline-charged chase through the distant reaches of the sea. Edward Woodall, James D'Arcy, and Lee Ingleby also star as members of the Surprise's crew. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Id: 10895785

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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Recent Reviews
  • emilkakko
    July 21, 2012
    emilkakko
    Peter Weir's very ambitious and epic Master and Commander: The Far Side of the Wold is a work that has echoes of David Lean in it, but ultimately it never reaches the heights as a film which Lean did with some of his best films like Passage to India or Doctor Zhivago.
    If you loo... read morek only the technical feats of this film then it is an marvelous achievement. With it's fantastic cinematography by Russell Boyd and pitch perfect editing by Lee Smith, Master and Commander is a film which is beautiful to watch. But beneath it's luxurious surface is not enough material to keep this ship afloat.
    Peter Weir's film is clearly overlong and there are some unnecessary moments that does feel lift from another film. Especially some moments with Paul Bettany's Dr. Stephen Maturin and his hobby as a naturalist feels lifted from another film. They are interesting but does not add up to anything as a whole.
    Weir's approach to film's story is unshamingly muscular and even a bit too macho for it's own good but if you like these kind of epics which are all about men fighting their war, then this might be your cup of tea. For me the whole film just felt too stiff and was missing a good characters to root for.
    Weir can make his films look good there is denying of that, but sometimes, like in here, his screenplay does not match his visuals. This could have been something so much more, now it is just faintly entertaining and good looking epic with none of the charm it desperately needs.
  • Redlats
    December 23, 2011
    Redlats
    Interesting to see how naval battles were fought in the early 1800's. If only they knew then what we know now. To the chagrin of some of his senior crew, Cptn Jack Aubrey sets out to defeat a technically superior ship.
  • spielberg00
    December 11, 2011
    spielberg00
    Peter Weir's adventurous period drama was ambitiously conceived, magnificently executed. The film is set in 1805, during the time of Napoleon's near-total power over Europe. Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) has taken his small South American ship, the HMS Surprise, and his crew to t... read morehe Pacific Ocean, planning to intercept any French fleet. The problem arises when a French frigate enters the Pacific--a much larger, more powerfully armed ship.

    At this point, I'm positive director Peter Weir can never let an audience down. After seeing his 1985 collaboration with Harrison Ford (WITNESS), and his 1989 collaboration with Robin Williams (DEAD POETS SOCIETY), I was more than excited to watch this 2003 collaboration with Russell Crowe. I think MASTER AND COMMANDER is by far the best of the three films I've seen by Weir.

    Full Review: http://wp.me/p1Urcx-xh
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    November 12, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Master and Commander based on the Aubrey/Maturin novels by historical author Patrick O'Brian is, unfortunately a mediocre film that doesn't quite cut it. The books are terrific, filled to the brim with rich descriptions of that time. The novels are beautifully written, highly ent... read moreertaining and above all brilliant. But, this is not the case with this film adaptation. Before, I go any further, I loved the look of the film, and I thought director Peter Weir captured the look of the period perfectly. Unfortunately, a good looking film doesn't necessarily mean it's a good film. Master and Commander is a mediocre film that could have been much better than this, considering that the books are wonderful. Despite the somewhat lacking material on-screen, the performances delivered by the actors, especially Crowe and Bettany are terrific. I've enjoyed what I read by Patrick O'Brian and love the historical aspect of his works. Unfortunately, Master and Commander is a boring film that nothing happens for long periods of time. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love films where it takes time for the plot to unfold, but unlike the book, this film went nowhere. I saw this in the theatre and the audience seemed bored. Peter Weir is a good director, but with this film, he just doesn't cut it. Considering that the books are filled with adventure, action and are exciting to read; the film adaptation of Master and Commander could have been an exhilarating adventure film, and though it somewhat captures the essence of novel, this is a mediocre film that doesn't deliver what the books do so well. If you haven't seen this film, read the books instead, they're better and better conceived. Master and Commander for me was a disappointment.
  • cosmo313
    May 23, 2011
    cosmo313
    2003 was an interesting year for nautical films. A revival of sorts almost happened, but not quite. In that year there was Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and this film. While that one was a rip-roaring action film that proved to be great for popcorn entert... read moreainment, this film takes a more intelligent and artsy approach, proving to be a technical masterpiece that will mostly appeal only to some, namely due to lots of quiet moments of dialogue, sparse action scenes, and a greater eye for attention to detail and period accuracy.

    This film has a story, and it's a good one, but it's not about the plot. It's more about the characters, namely the two principals: the strong captain played by Russell Crowe, and his friend- the ship's docter and naturalist played by Paul Bettany. Both are terrific in their roles, drawing apt comparisons to Sherlock Holmes and Watson.

    This is not a film for everyone though. A lot of people may find it boring, and I'll admit, there could have been another action scene or two, and some more development with some of the other characters, but all in all, I found this to be a very fascinating film. I know some but not a lot about the nautical world of this time period, but from what I do know, this film gets a great deal of it correct, and that's something I really appreciate. If you ever wanted to know about the ins and outs of being on a early 19th Century British warship, than this is the film for you.

    The film was nominated for many Academy Awards, but only came away with a couple. One of those, however, was for cinematography, and that one was well deserved. Then again, this is a Peter Weir film, so I kind of expected that. I also liked that the film used a mixture of techniques to get thingsdone, including models and replicas, instead of putting too great of a reliance on cg. Something I found quite striking was the music. There's not as much of it as you might think, adding to the atmosphere and setting greatly.

    If you want a movie that is both thrilling (at times), yet has very high artistic merits, then you really need to see this. Despite a few nitpicks, I thought it was amazing. There needs to be some sequels to this one, and I'm surprised they haven't happened yet. Someone make it happen.
  • aliceinpunderland
    May 10, 2011
    aliceinpunderland
    I dunno...maybe it's cuz for the last two years, I was conditioned to hate Russell Crowe, or maybe it's cuz the future of a relationship hinges upon my liking of the movie, and I subconsciously judged it on a higher caliber because Justin was lukewarm about The 400 Blows :... read more~P...I just wasn't terribly into it.

    Russell Crowe isn't bad necessarily; his character just isn't that compelling. Jack Aubrey is morally upright, albeit tempestuous at times, and his mood swings and rash decisions are somewhat predictable. He is overshadowed by the good doctor, brilliantly played by Paul Bettany, whom I like, even though the only other movie I remember him in is Wimbledon... The self-surgery scene is horrifically intense.

    Nevertheless, props to the movie for eschewing the swashbuckling fun of the Pirates franchise and instead, portraying the gritty violence and danger of the high seas.
  • DreamExtractor
    March 6, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    A great film, wiyh cool action scenes, and great acting. But just doesn't have that certain spark to be perfect
  • SirPant
    December 6, 2010
    SirPant
    Master and Commander for me was the return of the Peter Weir I love. The last Weir film I really liked was The Mosquito Coast made back in 1986. Master & Commander came out at a time were 'Epics' were rife, and the fact that Crowe had the lead role, I thought this would be anothe... read morer case of 'Here we go again', thankfully, I was wrong. There is so much more to this film than it just being another 'Swashbuckler' but I have to say, I really can't stand Billy Boyd. Thankfully, that was probably my only criticism.
  • webalina
    September 15, 2010
    webalina
    I should have been more impressed with this, but it wasn't to be. When it was nominated for Best Picture, I told myself "I need to see that," and then remembered that I already had...and in the theatre yet.
  • nelsonpickens
    May 26, 2010
    nelsonpickens
    Definitely one of the greatest adventure movie ever made. Not only is it entertaining it also says a little bit about the military and the fascist structure of a navy boat. Russell Crowe was able to play a person and not a character, but one who killed.
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