SUBMITTED BY flikchik

November 10, 2003 —

Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World is an adventure story from the novels of supreme storyteller Patrick OBrien, whose works have been acclaimed for their historical accuracy and meticulous research as well as for their literary merit. Master director Peter Weir has done his own historical research to create a production which in its attention to detail is as authentic as possible, and which successfully pulls the audience in, allowing us to feel we are there, experiencing the hard life on board this sailing ship. While there is CGI, care has been taken to make it undetectable. The swordfights and stunts are shown as real, with no bullet time or slo-mo, and no acrobatics.

Throughout the film the close camerawork and sounds plunge us terrifyingly into the midst of the action. At the most exciting moments its a touch too loud for comfort, calculated to create tension and suspense at least, and pure fright at most. At quieter moments the suspense is tangible, as when the Officer of the Watch is uncertain what he glimpsed through his telescope in the thick bank of mist off the starboard bow. Is it a hostile Man o War or a reef? Immediately the decision is made theres instant action, every crewman to his post, drums roll and thundering cannon-fire is returned against the Acherons blistering volley exploding out of the fog. Pursuing this Phantom Ship will become an obsession of the Captain, Lucky Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe).

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