Review of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) by Craig B — 20 Jan 2010
Directed by Peter Weir in 2003, Master and Commander is an excellent yarn about one British Captain?s obsession with taking down a French warship that is perpetually one step ahead of him. The ensuing cat and mouse chase is Melvillian in proportions, and Weir?s unflagging attention to detail makes this costumer one of the best I?ve ever seen.
The cast is uniformly excellent, but its two pillars of strength are Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as the ship's naturalist (and Aubrey's best friend,) Dr. Stephen Maturin.
Aubrey's Ahab-like passion to subdue The Acheron is balanced beautifully by Maturin's obsession for scientific discovery. They both are driven by their thirst for renown, and those inner-demons don't always see eye-to-eye.
Using these two characters, Weir explores the nature of man, and the ideas that drive us to excel, all while delivering up one of the most eye-popping sea adventures ever caught on film.
This review of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) was written by Craig B on 20 Jan 2010.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World has generally received positive reviews.
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