I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

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. Master and Commander: The Fast Side of the World is no POTC and why should it even be? right? The main problem with this film was definitely the pacing and the lack of action which does hurt the film a little but thankfully it bounces back thanks to Crowe's and Bettany's great perfomances but also terrific special effects. It's not masterpiece of course but it's a fun and enjoyable film ride. (7.0/10)

I really like the historical aspects of the movie. Well done, one of the best historical-fiction movie I have ever seen!

Read More: http://basementbanter.com/530-2/Have you ever wondered what would happen if you gave Maximus from Gladiator a gun, a cannon and a frigate? Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World answers that question in glorious, bloody fashion. Master and Commander is an epic naval Napoleonic war movie where Britain and France fought for control of the seas. With maybe the most badass character ever put to screen in Russel Crowe's Captain 'Lucky' Jack Aubrey, and more epic shots than any movie out there, I cannot praise this movie enough. Showcasing more charisma, machismo, and intelligence than any other of his roles; other than maybe Maximus, Crowe becomes the bold and cunning naval captain of the HMS Surprise. Captain Aubrey goes on a daring mission to the far side of the world, chasing a French Ship.Featuring a fantastic cast with several people you sort of recognize like Vision, from the Avengers movies, either Mary or Pippin I can never tell them apart, and some bloke from Agent Carter. Crowe and Paul Bettany (Vision) have excellent chemistry together as they play best friends and trusted confidants. Bettany shines as Dr. Maturin, the surgeon and head doctor on the ship. Dr. Maturin has little nautical experience, so most of the many laughs of the film come from him. His dead pan delivery expressing his confusion about what is going on with the ship creates much needed comedic relief. The rest of the cast are mostly unprofessional actors who have experience on the sea, making the movie feel all the more authentic as you travel back in history to a time of adventure.After his ship is nearly destroyed Captain Jack Aubrey pursues the French ship, The Acheron. It is a new breed of ship that the British have not seen before. The crew of the Surprise go south, around South America and back north towards the Galapagos Islands. The journey pushes Jack Aubrey, and his crew, to their physical and mental limits, testing his leadership and skills as a Captain. From the beginning to the end there is action a plenty, cannons blowing peoples arms off, excellent sword fights, clever problem solving, a man doing surgery on himself (fucking insane), and the best ship to ship combat ever put to film.As will soon become evident, many, many of the movies I love came from my Father making me watch them, this was one of the first ones he made me watch. I watched this when I was 12, and I immediately fell in love with the ocean, and the time period. This movie perfectly blends the swashbuckling adventures of an Indiana Jones or Pirates of the Caribbean movie with the somber and serious take on war and its hardships from Saving Private Ryan or The Hurt Locker.The movie flows between awesome badassery, somber slow moments, and back to action. You will care about all the characters and wince every time someone gets hurt. Every shot that Crowe is in, he improves through his amazing, and complicated performance. All in one he is a bad ass soldier, loving father figure, caring best friend, trying musician, and stern leader. I cannot heap enough praise on him. This is one of my top 20 favorite movies of all time, and I could watch it again and again. I highly recommend this movie, and encourage you to check out other movies by the great Peter Weir. This movie does not get enough attention and while it did get many Oscar nominations, not enough people saw it. I implore you to go see it, all things considered I can almost guarantee you will enjoy it.

I am working my way through the Jack Aubrey/Patrick O'Brian series of historical novels and thought it would b a good idea to see the film of Master and Commander. I was a bit apprehensive about the castings and in some cases they definitely did not work. However, thinking that Russell Crowe was not right for Jack Aubrey, having seen the movie, all I can say is I can't see anyone else doing a better job. In the books, this is a man with a zest for life, courageous and maybe a bit reckless - Russell Crowe captures this very well. Still not sure about the Maturin casting because he is definitely a man who is not what he seems and that does not come across. Boden - also not quite right. However, this is a proper rendition of the period and the spirit of the books. I can only say I wish they had made more - the books do have quite a few love interests in them so this would have been good to see. Of course, it must have been expensive to film but this is what film is made for - beautiful cinematography, great set pieces, a good story and really sound acting - much better than all the action hero stuff that is out there.