Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
I knew I had another review for this one somewhere in the inbox this morning. Check it out:
Ahoi, master Harry & Evil Mastermind Moriarty
First off I have to admit how much I love swashbuckling high-seas adventures of yesteryear (I could go as far as calling myself the stepchild of Errol Flynn). I adored the good fun that was Pirates of the Caribbean this summer, before getting hit by criminally wasted opportunities such as LXDG (League of Extraordinarily Dull Gentlemen). Compared to Pirates, Master and Commander is a totally different film which I equally loved and I am so grateful to the powers that be that these films got much more distance between them than was initially intended. It’s a story about how ship has to breathe and work as one in order to achieve its goal and how a successful captain is God, never to be questioned in his actions or decisions. Which brings us to the films main sucess that is Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey. There’s a man who is equally loved and respected by his crew and you can see from the brief exchanges that there isn’t anything that these men wouldn’t do for their captain. A brilliant tactic who also happens to enjoy a quiet moment, playing his violin – yes, Maximus plays violin and it was such a nice touch to have this weathered seaman with big roughened hands pick up such a delicate instrument and make beautiful music. IN short, capt.Aubrey is master of the universe, just but stern, thye kind of man who Just like when Maximus checks the ranks before that great opening battle in Germania, you know that there is a leader who cares for each and every one of these men serving under him. And the whole crew will be put to the test, hard. Tough decisions, sacrifices, losses and triumphs, all handled so damn well by the masterful hand of Peter Weir.
I will not go into too much detail (unlike that f…ing idiot whom you unfortunately published last week who described the whole plot to Matrix Revolutions, calling it “review” and posting his bullshit tell-all on every Matrix-related website he could find). The French battleship attacks Aubrey’s ship but they manage to escape thanks to the heavy fog. Then Aubrey does everything in his power to get the ship back in shape and to get back on the frogs’ tail.
Bettany, who pretty much stole the Knight’s Tale and was also quite good in A Beautiful Mind, does great work here as captain’s best friend, the ship’s doctor and Aubrey’s voice of reason (that goes unheard on many occasions). It is mentioned that these men have been friends for a long time and you can certainly feel it in their talks and arguments. Many crewmemembers are also given their personal little moments to shine (who wouldn’t find that little bit of extra courage if you had a leader like that?). As for battles then there should have been more but then this is not that kind of film. The surprise attack in the beginning is great, with only flashes of light on the horizon, followed by thunderous crashes as the French cannons hit Aubrey’s ship, pounding it mercilessly, causing helluva lot of damage. The big finale… see, that would mean details again wich I want everyone to find out themself. I’ll say this much that you will not be disappointed.
I haven’t read any of the Patrick O’Brian’s 20 smth M & C books but I certainly hope that there will be further adventures of Lucky Jack and his bunch.
Sorry if this turned into a bit of a rambling but I just saw the film today and it still has to settle (plus, TV just finished Big Trouble in Little China which I couldn’t refuse revisiting).
Sincerely,
Dashing Don Lockwood
Cool. Seems like it really connected for him. So far, this one seems to be causing very polarized reactions. Can’t wait to see for myself.
"Moriarty" out.
