Finally caught it this past weekend (braved a foot of snow to do so
).
Having read all 20 of the novels (up to #13 on second go-around) I was prepared to hate it, especially since they started with novel #10 (The Far Side of the World) and drastically changed the plot. I was afraid of another
Two Towers - great action and visual effects, characters and storyline remade in somebody else's image.
Well the plot IS different -
(SPOILERS) it was an American frigate in the book (it takes place a bit later, during the War of 1812), and the crews end up stranded together on one of the Galapagos islands. Of course the movie plot is more exciting, and that's what you need to sell the movie. The book itself on screen probably would have been a tad dry, even though as a book it is thoroughly entertaining. So the made-up story I can deal with, although I am saddened that we might never see books 1-9, some of which have some very spectacular battle scenes, among other goodly stuff.
What I really really really liked was how accurate the characters were. Very much of the books is illustrated in such small things as Aubrey's weevil joke, Maturin's anger and disappointment at missing out on the Galapagos, Joe Plaice's skull being trepanned on the deck, Killick's constant bitching and steadfast devotion, and everyone's devout worship of Nelson (to the puzzlement of Maturin). Even minor characters such as Plaice and Awkward Davies were done justice.
All in all, two thumbs up.
Topic: Master & Commander (Read 6412 times)