Master and Commander

[Talysen]

Has anyone seen 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World'? I'm trying to decide if it's worth spending the money for the theatre or wait until the dvd is released

Some movies just have to be seen on the big screen...

[MyraTrue]

I know there IS someone around here that's seen it, but I haven't. I almost asked at the time how it was, because I'm wondering if I should take the plunge and go see it too.

Or anything else thats on thats any good. Which said, I have no idea what is playing, much less if its not a waste of $8.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I saw it,

I want 10 dollars and 2 hours of my life back!

[Talysen]

Mot worth the big screen huh?

Ah well, that works for me as I'd have to pay for three + drinks/food if I were to go. That and LoTR will be out soon and that one will be a trip to the theatre.

[arcon]

Its ok. Lots of slow moving drama between fight scenes.

I must admit that it was not as good as I thought it would be.

[Popper]

not good enough to get a buy a ticket? well thats why we have the good ol' direct connect so that we can download the film

[Soldier]

Because THAT's moral...

[Kodiak Kid]

Haven't seen it. I read a detailed review that panned it somewhat. The headline for the review was "2 1/2 hours before the mast!" if that gives you some idea of the reviewers point of view. sounds like it'll be on cable in about 6 months. I can wait.

[darius]

Like all Peter Weir films, it's a character piece. If you're used to the whiz-bang modern action movie pace, you'll probably hate it.

They did a great job of capturing period naval combat, with the claustrophobic quarters, wood shrapnel flying everywhere, smoke everywhere, etc.

The UR fencing team was split down the middle, with the notable that not a single female in the party liked it.

"To wives ... and sweethearts. May they never meet." - Jack Aubrey

darius

[Army Fencer]

I liked it.

It was a bit slow in parts, but at least they showed a little fencing at the end.

I also liked the idea of trying catch another ship and beat them. Kinda like some of the mind games in fencing.

[MyraTrue]

*debates whether to see it or not with reviews this mixed*

Hmm...

[The Messenjah]

Originally posted by D+F+P=Hadouken!
I saw it,

I want 10 dollars and 2 hours of my life back!

You're crazy! Either that or you're a fan of thrillers who aren't historically accurate in the least. Friggin Philistine...

[lochinvar]

I saw it, and have mixed reactions.

As a fan of history and sailing both, I was intrigued and more than satisfied with the historical aspects of fighting sail at the turn of the 19th century. Seems they caught the flavor very nicely--except that people were a lot cleaner than I imagine they would be after several months at sea!

Having said that much, however, I have to say that the story left me cold...as a story. It seemed to start in the middle and end in the middle--no intro, no denoument. Episodic rather than thematic. Plus I found that I didn't really care about the characters. I don't know if that was a function of the screenplay or the actors; either way, they didn't manage to "sell" me on the storyline.

Overall, I'd give it a C+. If you like old sailing ships, then by all means see it in the theater. If you're looking for a gripping or emotionally engaging story, a la Braveheart, then wait for the video.

[pkt]

Talysen,

I saw the movie. I read the reviews in the Globe & Mail. I also read about the backgrounds about the making of the movie. Peter Weir tried his very best to make the movie as correctly as possible. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...31114/MASTER14
I tried to find the piece about the Cdn consultant who made sure all aspects maritime was correct.

In spite of the fac that they actually spent 10 days on the water shooting. They spent a lot of time making sure that the sea you see in the background was the actual sea where they're supposed to be.

Since there was no actual cannon shots in the sound library, they took the cannons and fired them to record the sounds. Listen to that in the movie and you'll FEEL the difference.

My enjoyment of this movie was a bit tempered by the fact that I read Gavin Menzies' "1421 - The Year China Discovered the World" and the recent confirmation that the map they have in I think, Yale University - I may be wrong on this, that it is genuine. This map might be the first map showing parts of Canada...the Chinese fleet were in those waters before any of the Europeans.
Capt. Jack had charts. Where did they come from??

Put it this way, I may buy the DVD of this movie together with Kill Bill and of course The Last Samurai. I already have The Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, which were turned into, respectively, The Magnificent Seven, A fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More. then there are the 3-movie Samurai series about Mushashi.

Anyway, you get my sentiment. So I'd suggest, go see it and listen to the music. Enjoy it come what may.

I mean who do you want to have at the bow of YOUR ship, that wussy DiCaprio or Russel Crowe. That's a no-brainer.

PK

[lochinvar]

Originally posted by pkt
(snip)Since there was no actual cannon shots in the sound library, they took the cannons and fired them to record the sounds. Listen to that in the movie and you'll FEEL the difference.

Interesting side note: They fired them somewhere in Michigan by the water so that they'd get the sound of cannons firing over water, which has a different ambiance from cannons fired on land.

And in addition to firing regular round shot, they also fired and recorded chain-shot--two cannon balls connected by a short piece of chain--since it sounds different in flight. (The French were partial to using chain-shot to disable their opponent's rigging, thus rendering them unable to manouver without excessive damage to the hull of what would, they hoped, become a valuable capture prize.)

Capt. Jack had charts. Where did they come from??

By this period in history, the Royal Navy had visited every corner of the watery globe, to all intents and purposes.

The Admiralty employed a small army of cartographers in the production of sea charts for the world's largest navy, and charts existed for just about any place there was water enough to float a ship--though they weren't always as accurate as one would hope. (This was what allowed the muntineers from Bounty, for example, to remain undisturbed for so long: Pitcairn Island was shown on Admiralty charts, but misplaced by several hundred miles.)

[pkt]

loch,

Sounds like you're a water rat.
Have you read Gavin Menzies' "1421 - The Year China Discovered the World"?

PK

[lochinvar]

pkt-

No, I haven't. I'll get a copy.

[Talysen]

By the latest descriptions, it sounds like one I'd like to see in the theatre... I just hate spending money when I have enough to pay for at this time of year and the final part of LoTR will be released soon which means more having to be shelled out...

Ah, now my head hurts, too many descisions to make...