Master of the Sea (and the French)[NY Times Review of "Master and Commander"]

N.Y. Times online ^ | November 14, 2003 | A. O. SCOTT

[mdmathis6]

I was just thinking that Peter Weir ought to do a space movie of the grand scale as this "Master and Commander" seems to be. Think of all the tools Peter Weir would have as his disposal. Sort of a Star Wars with cajones!

[mdmathis6]

"The question is: why can't Paramount make a Star Trek movie as good as purports to be?)"

Come to think of it, the best Trek movies had William Shatner(Kirk) in them, even "Generations".!

[Huber]

At least 20 people walked out of my theater without returning.

Were they French?

Try reading one of the novels. It's possible that Patrick O'Brian is just not to your taste.

[G L Tirebiter]

The movie is beautifully made, but glaring liberties were taken with nautical reality.

Reminds me of the very old Letterman bit (pre-CBS)-he had a professional welder critique Jennifer Beals (sp) welding technique in "Flashdance".

My uncle, a physician and toxicologist, would comment on the faulty technique of a movie "pathaologist" doing frozen sections for an autopsy.

At some point the layman in the audience just has to say, "Shhhhh".

[SomeCallMeTim]

I may just try that... I love a good book.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

You were bored? I don't understand that. I loved it. I thought he broke off the chase and took Bones, I mean Dr. Maturin to the Galapagos because he discovered the sail he was chasing was not the Acheron. It was not a perfect movie, but close enough.

[SomeCallMeTim]

Oh my... the first 45 minutes were PAINFULLY slow.

I was so confused when, after the slick sailing maneuvre, they came up behind the Acheron. But, rather than attack, they somehow mysteriously ended up in a terrible storm 500 miles south of where they were the night before. I was wondering whether 15 minutes of film dissapeared?????

Can anyone explain this??

[friendly]

Ahoy Freeper Maties and shiver me timbers! I done seed the movie, and this be one great flick!

This has to be the opposite of a "chick flick," yet will probably yield a best picture Oscar nomination. Sequels are sure to follow.

Incidentally Matrix Revolutions seriously sucked.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

As I remember it Surprise was closing on Acheron when the seas got rough, as they always do around Tierra del Fuego, and Aubrey kept up the chase through the gail, making 12 knots, until his mizzenmast broke and Acheron got away.

You weren't moved by that boy in the waves after they cut the mast loose?

[SomeCallMeTim]

That was a moving scene. My problem was, the "seas getting rough" happened in the blink of an eye. In one scene, they show the Acheron on the horizon... with light clouds and sunshine. Next scene?? The worst storm of all time. It was quite disjointed.

The storm scenes were fantastic. It just happened way to suddenly.

There were plenty of great scenes... sprinkled throughout an otherwise boring, and disturbing film..

[rmlew]

Cool. I was hoping to see the exploits of Stephen Decatur.

[Ditter]

We saw it yesterday & it was marvelous. The storm scene, on the ship made me very uncomfortable, in its reality. I have not always liked Russel Crowe's movies but this one is exceptional. He is perfect in the role & the attention to detail is amazing.

[Burkeman1]

Saw the movie today and was amazed. A great flick and one that didn't have to resort to graphic gore to make the horrors of war seen and felt. This film is powerful and yet can go straight from the movie theater to Broadcast television without a cut or edit being made. I strongly recommend this film.

[machman]

Just saw it last night, enjoyed it very much.

A toast to Master and Commander

[orlop9]

Finally saw the movie, watched it last night here in the Engineroom, can't wait to get it home and see it on the big screen.
But, as a fan of POB's series, I thought the movie lacked bottom. The characters of Maturin and Bonden missed the mark.
I am listening to the recorded books version now when traveling to & from the boat and really like them. Tull does a great job with Maturin's character.

Stephen Maturin on Seamanship:
"Puddings, We trice 'em athwart the starboard gumbrils, when sailing by and large."

[SkyPilot]

I finally saw this movie now that it is out on DVD. I found it very enjoyable, although the ending was a bit anti-climatic.

Still--a wonderful tale. Sort of the Conservative antithesis to wheezy Liberal films such as The English Patient.

By the way, I love the old drinking songs they sing:

"Safe ashore at laaaasst Jack!
Folly Rolly Rolly Rolly Rigghhhht---oohh!"

[Cronos]

I dunno, maybe it wouldn't have been too bad if Napoleon HAD conquered the continent and the British Isles. He was a closet Zionist with plans to create Zion a 150 years earlier than it did. He also would have given Europe a firm control over the Middle East and probably averted WWI and II. Plus, he was Corsican, not French.

[SkyPilot]

I am sure it worked out according to the Almighty's plan.

Besides, I toured Versilles and Notre Dame once. The whole Napoleonic ego "I crown myself emperor" was a little too much to take.