JC's Favorites - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" (2003) follows Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and his crew aboard the R.M.S. Surprise during the Napoleonic Wars in it's quest to find and capture its nemesis, the elusive and dangerous Acheron of France.

This film instantly establishes itself as an action packed adventure, yet writer/director Peter Weir delivers so much more, giving us the depths of characters and their interactions throughout the movie. The two most prominent examples is between Captain Aubrey and the ship's unruly Irish surgeon, Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), showing these two very clear and outspoken opposites are still the best of friends.

The film also features the very young midshipman, Blakeney (Max Pirkis) who could potentially hold the title of "Youngest Badass to Ever Appear in Film" and if you watch, you'll see why.

This film also delves deep into immersion, showing you the excessively crowded vessel, with dozens of crew members constantly working at all times, and the constant calls of overseers in the background. You truly feel as if you are on an historic ship.

"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" won two Oscars in 2004, and was nominated for a whopping 8 others, also netting several awards from the far side of the world. Sorry, little joke, won't happen again, I promise.