Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Image
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Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 42 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.8 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 436 Ratings

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  • Starring: James D'Arcy, Paul Bettany, Russell Crowe
  • Summary: Based on author Patrick O'Brian's series of Aubrey/Maturin novels, the film is set during the Napoleonic Wars. Crowe is Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, renowned as a fighting captain in the British Navy, and Bettany is ship's doctor Stephen Maturin. Their ship, the H.M.S. Surprise, is suddenly attacked by a superior enemy. With the Surprise badly damaged and much of his crew injured, Aubrey is torn between duty and friendship as he pursues a high-stakes chase across two oceans, to intercept and capture his foe. It's a mission that can make his reputation – or destroy Lucky Jack and his crew. (20th Century Fox)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    Like the work of David Lean, it achieves the epic without losing sight of the human, and to see it is to be reminded of the way great action movies can rouse and exhilarate us, can affirm life instead of simply dramatizing its destruction.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    78
    A humanistic adventure film that's both rich with characterization and concussive cannon bursts, Master and Commander is, surprisingly, some of the best work either Crowe or Weir have ever done.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    60
    With the exception of a brief sequence on the Galapagos Islands, where Maturin briefly indulges in some pre-Darwinian study of its unique ecosystem, the entire film takes place aboard the ship, and Weir's greatest accomplishment may be that it never feels claustrophobic.
  4. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Phil Hall
    20
    It seems as if every possible cliche and story twist from any seafaring picture of the past 80 years made its way into this flick.

See all 42 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 189 out of 306
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 306
  3. Negative: 103 out of 306
  1. CooterPatooter
    10
    This film masquerades as a high-adventure war picture, but is actually at its heart, a simple and perfectly-told story of friendship and camaraderie. The pursuit of the French vessel, magnificent as it is, is just the backdrop to this elegant, emotionally stirring and intellectually powerful narrative. Easily one of my top ten favorite films of all time. All of the haters can go watch something that appeals more to their intellectual level, like Transformers 2.… Expand
  2. TroyS.
    8
    Excellent film. Well acted and the art direction is top notch.
  3. HB
    7
    Good movie, if you like sailing and history. There is not much happening for the city-dweller.
  4. JeremyE.
    4
    wow! History, Sailing, Pointless Fights, and, best of all Boredom! this film has it all. enough to make me fall asleep.

See all 306 User Reviews

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