daily stream: a forgotten action-adventure masterpiece of the early 2000s
2003’s *Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World* is streaming on HBO Max in the US and Disney+ in the UK
Is this one of the lost masterpieces of the past 20 years? Cuz I feel like we don’t talk about Peter Weir’s gorgeous 2003 adventure Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World anywhere near enough. It’s a perfect example of what a movie should be: visually and emotionally enrapturing and full of people who, now that you’ve met them, you don’t ever want to leave. In this case, Napoleonic War–era British warship captain Jack Aubrey, brought to life by Russell Crowe’s twinkling eyes and constant sly grin, and pacifistic ship’s doctor Stephen Maturin; Paul Bettany makes him seethe with frustration and fondness for his friend the captain. This is the rare action movie in which the particular instances of daring or sacrifice or combat are vital to the depiction of the characters as real, complicated people and not mere obstacle courses for them to navigate and survive in order to get to the next scene. (Read my 2003 review.)
US: streaming on HBO Max (via Prime); rent/buy on Prime and Apple TV
UK: streaming on Prime through February 21, and on Disney+; rent/buy on Prime and Apple TV
See Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World at Letterboxd for more viewing options.
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YES YES YES!!! Good gracious me I adore this film, and you've reminded me it's high time for me to watch it again. It's a masterpiece.
Master and Commander is a gem. Glad someone else has the good sense to see this...