Review of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) by Shoquanda S — 03 Jan 2019

This is such a great movie, if for no other reason than for the fact that its on 18th century naval history. The film looks gorgeous and the storyline is interesting. Russell Crowe owns the role and Peter Weir is an assured director which shows in the way the film is presented.

Weir is a veteran director whose films have always been characterized by their uncommon intelligence. He has been at the helm for the likes of Picnic at Hanging Rock, Witness, Dead Poets Society, Fearless, and The Truman Show.

For Master and Commander, Weir has been given a huge budget (rumored to be in excess of $120 million), and every cent of it appears on screen. For those with any interest in 18th and 19th century seafaring or naval warfare, this is a must-see motion picture.

For others, it's an enlightening and entertaining experience, but there's the issue of the slow middle act to overcome. The problem exists, but it isn't insurmountable, and that's the reason I'm recommending the film.