The Surprise has just been ordered to pursue the French privateer Acheron at any cost during the sea battles of the Napoleonic Wars. The Acheron has been preying on Britain's whaling fleet and only Captain 'Lucky' Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and his crew can stop them. The movie is based on three novels in author Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin series. The series based on Jack Aubrey's real life career has a total of twenty novels. Most of this story plot comes from the book, Far Side of the World. However, in the film version, the action takes during the Napoleonic wars, instead of during the War of 1812. The producers wished to avoid offending American audiences. In consequence, the fictional opponent was changed from the USS Norfolk to the French privateer frigate Acheron. I find this to be very disappointing as the film is not loyal to the source material and that the fact that having a movie about the Angelo and American conflict would be so much interesting since there isn't so many of them out there rather than another Napoleonic piece. Other than that, most of the film tries to stay true to the books. Other scenes are taken out from Patrick O'Brian novel's Desolation Island and the book, Master and Commander. Great efforts were made to reproduce the authentic look and feel of life aboard an early nineteenth century man of war by director Peter Weir. Rather than sporting computer graphic illusions, the film filmed on the reproduction of the eighteen century post ship Rose. All of the actors were given a thorough grounding in the naval life of the period in order to make their performances as authentic as possible. The characters are so well developed to the point, it makes you feel you are there with them. So realistic. The script was great in its character development and direction. The acting by Russell Crowe is outstanding. The cinematography is great as I love the shots at Galapagos with Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany) studying the animals and plants on the island. The music is pretty amazing. Great work by Christopher Gordon, Richard Tognetti and Iva Davies, lead singer of the Australian band Icehouse. Safe and sound at home again. Let the waters roar, Jack! Lyrics to the sea shanty, 'Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate' is one of the best things about the film. It's just nice to hear these long forgotten sea hymns. Spanish Ladies and The British Tars which was set to tune of Bonnie Ship the Diamond is also interesting to listen. The truest depiction of life aboard an eighteen century Man O' War on film since Mutiny on the Bounty. I have to admit I was slightly disappointed about the ending. It's such an annoying cliff hanger. It's made worst to the fact that there will probably not going to be a sequel to the film, any time soon. The movie can be a bit boring to some, as it had a very slow pace to it. The movie felt like a documentary movie, rather than a good historical action movie. It didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. Having a ship chasing after a superior ship could have been an Ahab hunt of the white whale type of a story that would make the story so much interesting, but the movie is lost without a sense of depth with pointless scenes at Galapagos Island. I think most people came to this film to see two battleships duke it out. If I wanted a natural geographic special. I'd have watched Jaques Cousteau or Charles Darwin instead. It was devoid of charm, humor and anything resembling amusement. Hollywood's attempt at being cerebral was just not working for me. I give it props, it was so so, but anyone with a short attention span, this movie isn't for them. Check out, HMS Defiant, a British adventure film released in 1962 if you like these types of movies. In my opinion, that movie is better than this. Still, if you watching this, just make sure you don't fall asleep on the helm.
