Writer, Web Designer, Programmer, and Trainee Millionaire. Wanna know more about me? Read some revie...
Writer, Web Designer, Programmer, and Trainee Millionaire. Wanna know more about me? Read some reviews!
Member since:23.07.2001
Reviews:7
Members who trust:3
I can't remember the last film I watched that I could relate to this well. No, I've never actually spent 4 years stranded on an island with just a volleyball for company, but after watching this I've got a pretty good idea what it would be like.
This is a very special film.
Some people say its slow and mundane. I admit, it does take a while to get going, but from the minute the plane goes down it grabs you and doesn't let you go.
The main character, Chuck Noland, is played superbly by Tom Hanks. Chuck is an average person who is forced to change his way of thinking in a fight for survival.
Hanks has very little time to introduce the character before becoming a cast away, but succeeds spectacularly. Then his acting is really shown off when he starts talking to both himself and a bloodstained volleyball called Wilson. I'm not a Tom Hanks worshipper, but its this acting that makes the film.
You can actually feel like you're there, or at least feel for Chuck and everything that he does. I found myself saying "Ow" when he cut his leg on a coral and "Wow" when the whale swam past. Its a totally absorbing experience.
This is helped because we stay with Chuck the whole time he is on the island and don't actually find out what happens back home until he does. Also the fact that he is totally 100% alone adds to the atmosphere tremendously.
The plot is generic, its an open ended idea in which anything could have happened. Tom Hanks could have encountered tribes of cannibals, had to fight wild tigers or stumbled across the cast of Survivor. Thankfully, it is kept simple and realistic. Remember this and you won't be disappointed.
When Chuck does come home, he has another battle to deal with. It's this that the film could have gone into in more depth, but unfortunately seems a bit rushed. A pity, but it's not too detrimental to your enjoyment of the film.
For what it is, its a superb film and very little could improve it. It does what it sets out to and pushes all the right buttons. It's uplifting and thought provoking, and I recommend it to anybody, especially if you fly.
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Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Action/Adventure - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Jack Ging, Marla Heasley, Lance Legault, Melinda Culea, Mr T, Dwight Schultz, Dirk Benedict, George Peppard, Carl Franklin
I was to be honest going to give the film a miss but after reading your excellent review you have changed my mind.Cheers Zebra
Deenie 24.07.2001 19:11
"...especially if you fly" - LOL, nice touch! I really wanted to see this at the cinema but didn't get a chance to. It's definately one I have to get out on video now! Good review. ~Deenie~
LostWitness 24.07.2001 17:49
Excellent review. I hope this never happens to me - but I'm keeping a fishing net in my pocket every time I fly now!! :O)
Advantages: Great film, great direction, great individual performances, gripping plot Disadvantages: Slightly dodgy lighting, plot not properly explained
Cheesefather 24.01.2002 ·
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