Review of Cast Away (2000) by Xavier C — 02 Apr 2015

I loved the hell out of this. Even the drama that comes before and after the time on the island, which I feared would be shoddy exposition and a short wrap-up. Instead, it makes Chuck's character whole and made me root for his struggle even more. Nothing brought it all together like Hanks, though. He was excellent throughout.

The scene when the plane was coming down was done perfectly. The sound effects were rich and immersive. The plane doesn't waste a second as it goes down, building tension and making me feel the weight of what's happening. The time on the island is certainly captivating. Chuck really makes the island his own. The nicest touch was the use of natural ambient sound to complement the setting. Music is rare, which makes moments where there is music seem more ceremonial, like when he finally gets off the island.

Nice acting, nice camera work, great screenplay, great sets, good pacing; not a single misstep in my eyes.