Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The Earth

Movie Title: Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World
Official Website (it might still work): Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World
Rating (out of 10): 9
Reviewed By: Robin McFetridge
Buy the: Video/DVD \| Soundtrack
The Review:

“I fear thee, Ancient Mariner,” could be another title for Russell Crowe’s (A Beautiful Mind) newest movie. Since there is only so much action that can take place on the open sea in an old wooden ship before it does sink, the story adopts many aspects of Coolridge’s epic poem, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, as well as details from the Patrick O'Brian novels. In between the fighting sequences, many concepts of this poem were developed into the storyline, including an albatross, a phantom ship, a curse and being adrift at sea with no wind or wave. What are noticeably missing from this film were women and any semblance of a love story to intertwine itself into the plot or distract you from the battle. This is not typical Hollywood. Normally they would sneak a female stowaway, prisoner, or rescued female to toss into the mix for some sexual tension. The most sexual tension you can expect in Master and Commander was a South American beauty making eye contact with Crowe’s character Capt. Jack Aubrey or Lucky Jack when they were restocking provisions. The remaining two hours and eight minutes is all men on a boat.

The period is 1806 and the Napoleonic wars are the backdrop. The movie begins quickly when the night guard thinks he spots a ship in the fog, and before the British ship HMS Surprise can fire a shot, they are attacked. The fog and wind shift and the ship was gone. Capt. Jack not used to losing was baffled that none of their firepower penetrated the attacking ship. Although the ship did have the element of surprise and the wind on their side we later learn about the strengths of this French ship, Acheron. Instead of cutting their loses and returning to London, Lucky Jack decides to pursue this frigate even though they are out gunned two to one. As mentioned earlier there is only so much fighting you can endure on the open sea before the damage sinks you, so the remaining time is filled with developing the relationship between Jack and the ship’s doctor, Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany, A Knight’s Tale). The doctor is a civilian and a longtime friend of Jack. The rest of the crew’s characters are not developed, as the distinction between rank is clearly identifiable. But the elements of Coolridge’s poem are developed through the crew with the theory of a curse and how the curse gets broken. The Albatross makes an appearance and disaster unfolds. Then there is the issue of the crew believing the French ship to be a phantom or evil force, so the name Acheron is not an accident by the screenwriters. Greek Mythology names the river of Hell, Acheron.

Even though there were some slow periods, the action did move quickly and with a level of believability. It was very refreshing that a stupid love story was not forced into the story and it was all about the ship and the art of war. Also appearing in this Peter Weir film were James D’Arcy, Edward Woodall, Chris Larkin, Max Pirkis, Jack Randall, Max Benitz, Lee Ingleby, and Richard McCabe (Notting Hill). Crowe was fantastically convincing as an old ship captain. No sex, no nudity, no skin, and no cute butts still made for an entertaining movie. I gave Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World a nine on the About-Movies.com scale.