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| 11/16/2003 |
| Master and Commander: I saw Blue. He looked Glorious! |
A Movie Review
by Wes Bennett
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From start to finish I loved “Master and Commander.” For my money, it’s better than all five of the best picture nominations from last year.
Peter Weir, who in the past achieved greatness with “Dead Poet’s Society,” has outdone himself. It’s a beautiful film, epic in it’s dimension of character, sheer beauty and adventure.
The English HMS Surprise and it’s captain, Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), are ambushed by the tricky French vessel they've been dispatched to destroy.
The rest of the movie has the British ship repairing off Brazil and then chasing its French opponent around Cape Horn to the Galapagos Islands, where they will move toward a climactic sea battle.
Crowe has absolutely nothing to prove after the range he showed from “L.A. Confidential” to “A Beautiful Mind.” But once again he nails the part. His natural charisma, authority and humor leave no doubt that he is the leader of the his crew and the ship.
Paul Bettany, (who played Crowe’s imaginary roommate in “A Beautiful Mind,”) is great as Dr. Stephen Maturin, the ship's surgeon, amateur naturalist and Aubrey's best friend. His doctor is a thoughtful, moral man, ruled more by reason than impulse.
The film's emotional core is the relationship between Aubrey and Maturin. In terms of personalities, they are opposites. Aubrey is a rash, flamboyant warrior given to excesses of drink and courage. Maturin is far more reserved, preferring intellectual pursuits and studies over his duties as ship's doctor. Despite their differences, however, these two are best friends, and each has a deep and abiding respect for the other.
Master and Commander opens and closes with rousing battle scenes. The film makes you feel as though you are in the middle of these loud, violent and intense struggles. The interim 75 minutes include character building, crew interaction, and details concerning what life was like on a ship in the 19th century. Weir lets us enjoy the salty camaraderie and virile chat of Aubrey and Maturin, as well as the fortunes of the colorful and brave crew.
The film is beautiful from start to finish and may be the best-looking film ever made about a seafaring vessel. The only thing that could hold the film back is that unlike “Mystic River” or “About Schmidt,” it does not leave you with much to think about as great films often do. That being said “Master” feels like a lock for at least a best picture nomination and is a true instant classic. |
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| "We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it." |
- Jack Nicholson
A Few Good Men
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Distributed Beers
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| 5 |
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot |
| 4 |
Guinness Draught |
| 3 |
Newcastle Brown Ale |
| 2 |
Bass Pale Ale |
| 1 |
Samuel Adams Boston Lager |
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