Review of The New World (2005) by Rylan P — 24 Mar 2011

Terrence Malick's follow-up to The Thin Red Line (1998), his first film in 20 years. It seemed like he wouldn't be in any rush to make a new film, but he did, and he took on the story of Pocahontas, and he breathes such life into a oft-told tale, and puts his own inimitable stamp on the events that follow.

Virginia, 1607, and 3 ships of the Jamestown Expedition, sent to establish a colony in The New World, discover tribes of native American's, and learn from their craft and ways of life. The leader of the expedition, Captain Christopher Newport (Christopher Plummer), makes a settlement, but alot of the crew succumb to disease and shortage of supplies.

Newport sends hot-headed Captain John Smith (Colin Farrell) up river to trade with more tribes. Smith falls for Pocahontas (Q'orianka Kilcher), daughter of Chief Powhatan (August Schellenberg). However, the tribe attack the English for not leaving, and Smith choses his career over his love for Pocahontas.

He leaves, and she falls for John Rolfe (Christian Bale), who she marries, has his son, and goes to England. Malick directs this subject delicately and accurately, and he has a good eye for nature, and that's what this film is about, Pocahontas is one with Mother Nature, and the cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki is absolutely gorgeous.

The acting is spot on, (especially Kilcher), and it's epic running time flies by as it's so engaging.