Critic's Grade: A+

Last being seen in the wonderfully made "A Beautiful Mind," Russel Crowe once again steps into a heart-felt performance that captures the audience's heart. He plays Captain Jack Aubrey of the noble sea vessel the HMS Surprise in "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," one of this year's best films.

It is 1864, and Napoleon's forces are conquering Europe, and more precisely, England on the seas. One of their great vessels is the HMS Surprise, headed by Lucky Captain Jack Aubrey (Crowe), a proud and daring individual who cares as much for his crew as he does winning this war. Unfortunately, Jack is being hunted down by the virtually unnoticeable French warship known as the Acheron. The Acheron is a more modernized war-prone leviathan, consisting of 44 quick-firing cannons (beating the Surprise's 28), a thick armored body and a more agile exoskeleton that allows the ship to move at a faster rate than the Surprise's. In a surprise attack (ironically), the Surprise's crew is left mortally wounded, depressed and even more homesick than they already were. The assault leads Jack to look at the battle in a more human aspect. From the advice of his close friend, Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), Jack considers returning back to the Motherland. But that would take weeks, as they are traveling in the South Pacific, near the Galapagos Islands. As their battle with the Acheron continues, the crew's now endearing onslaught of bad luck begins to point to Midshipman Hollom (Max Benitz), in which he is labeled a jinx. The captain doesn't know what to believe, and amidst this, and other forrays of disrespect, Hollom ends up committing suicide, a mistake that proves dearly for the crew of the damaged vessel. Not only that, but Captain Aubrey ends up getting into a fight with Dr. Maturin, and after an expedition in the Galapagos, Aubrey soon finds that the answer for defeating the Acheron lies within Dr. Maturin's extensive knowledge of environmental science.

Peter Weir, a well-known director responsible for one of my favorite movies, "Witness," takes the helm of this great tale of adventure and friendship. While the movie is at times gory, the battle violence manages to stay realistic without overdoing the violence (remember "The Patriot," in which Mel Gibson hacked a man to death at least fifty times with a hatchet?). Russel Crowe, however, is the main focus in this movie. His performance in "A Beautiful Mind" was indeed his own, and while he may have been decent in "Gladiator," I believe this is the movie he'll be remembered for. An amazing cast truly builds this amazing movie, but besides Russel Crowe, 13-year-old Max Pirkis manages to do a great job as Lord Blakeney, a child who gets his arm amputated after the Acheron's first strike.

Also within the movie are the film's suttle references to classic British heroes. The greatest mention is Aubrey's hero, Lord Nelson, in which he was lucky enough to serve under two times prior to his becoming the master and commander of the HMS Surprise. Who can't say Russel Crowe isn't great in this movie? Beyond the acting and directorial talent, the effect work and artistic design bring out the film's essence. The costumes, artilery, language and, of course, the miles and miles of ocean make you feel as though you are a part of this great journey.

For the first time in months, I have been able to see a movie that meant something to me. As Aubrey prizes his ship, we should prize this movie.

My Score: 10 (out of 10)

All Reviews by Jordan Boyd
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