Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Reviewed by Pam and George Singleton for Reel Movie Critic
HHH½
Cast
Russell Crowe	Capt. Jack Aubrey
Paul Bettany	Dr. Maturin, Surgeon
Directed by Peter Weir. War, action thriller. Rated PG-13 (for intense battle sequences, related images, and brief language). Universal-Miramax.

Recently Russell Crowe attended a press screening hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club to promote what he described as a "$130 million art film." A fine screenplay, written by director Peter Weir ("The Truman Show," "The Year of Living Dangerously") adapted from the novels of Patrick O'Brian, the film "Master and Commander," follows the adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey (Crowe) and his friend, the ship's doctor, Stephen Maturin (Bettany).

Aubrey is a renowned fighting captain in the British Navy, commanding the HMS Surprise, which lists in its ship's log, "28 guns. 197 souls Coast of Brazil, April 1805." It is attacked in the fog by a superior French ship that severely damages the vessel and causes extensive casualties. Captain Jack pursues a high-stakes chase across two oceans, to outsmart and defeat his foe. This phantomlike ship is much like the shark in "Jaws"; it's always out there, sometimes close, other times far away, but you never know until it's ready to make its move. The crew of the Surprise struggles against great odds in the stormy waters of Cape Horn and the remote shores of The Galapagos Islands.

Authentic ships, costumes and realistic make up artistry, combined with eye-opening scenery on the Galapagos, give "Master and Commander" a wonderful look. We expect outstanding performances from Crowe and the reunion of Paul Bettany (his imaginary roommate in "A Beautiful mind"), yet the strong supporting cast is one of the things that gives the film its life. Particularly striking are the storm sequences, the impact of the cannon fire in the battle scenes, and emergency surgeries performed with the anesthesia being 100% mind control. Most surprising, and accurate, was the youthfulness of many of the crew.

Every year Russell Crowe seems to come up with a film that stretches his imagination, as well as his audience. This is less of a star vehicle for him than his whistle blower role in "The Insider," the heroics in "The Gladiator," or the battle of being a genius fighting mental illness in "A Beautiful Mind." This is nonetheless, a film that any lover of ships and authentic battles, a history buff or fan of Russell Crowe will thoroughly enjoy.