Big Fish
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.92 You Save: $10.07 (67%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.04 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Big Fish
Movie Review: Catch 'Big Fish' before it swims away
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this film on 1st February 2004 I was lucky enough to go with my Mum to see a sneek preview of 'Big Fish'. The movie opened in cinemas in Australia officially on February 5th 2004.
I read the 'Big Fish' book during January and enojoyed it. I thought Tim could find some fancy elements that seem to have become his trademarks. I was right. He has created a brilliant picture for Ewan. From reports Ewan is very proud of this film. I would be too if I were him. Tim Burton's movies to me, seem so dark and unusual. I've seen most of his films and for most of the time, that would be a fair assessment of them. But I can't say this for 'Big Fish'. 'Big Fish' seems truely magical, lovely and nice. As if it came straight out of a book of fairy tales, and each page were sprinkled with fairy dust that warms everyone's heart.
The script was excellently written. So many wonderful, very beautiful lines. The photography was so clear and sharp, one can watch the story unfold with ease. It is hard to take your eyes off the screen, the results are just so scrumptious, you shouldn't reach the end of the film and not feel fulfilled and enlightened. This movie followed the book closely. Only filling the story in where it felt it needed to. I don't remember a car submerged in water, or even a car drying out in the branches of a tree, but the naked woman (mermaid) Ewan McGregor's character Edward Bloom sees in the water, I remember vividly. I'm glad the nudity didn't detract from the movie. It's all in the book briefly, as it is in the film. In these underwater scenes I couldn't help but think of 'Splash'. Although the woman in this still seemed to have human legs not a mermaid's tail like is usually the case with mermaids.
I also liked Allison Lohman's role in this film even though it was somewhat brief it was effective. She was the quintessential beauty of Edward's life. I knew from the previews to this movie I would love it, but one of those reasons was her. Some character's just stand out sometimes and she did. A very well cast film, filled with brilliant performances to bring a world to life. Ewan goes about his role with sheer ease and style. He is a natural. A genius at expressing his emotions. He makes it look so easy. At first I thought it didn't seem to be a terribly physical role for Ewan, but he soon changed that. Ewan is brave! I write that like I'm surprised. I shouldn't be. Ewan can do anything. Everybody loves Edward Bloom (like the flower).
Whereever Edward turns his hand to, everything opens to full bloom in a warm glow of radiant sunshine. He makes anything seem possible, no matter how hard it may seem at first. Then just when you think 'Big Fish' is a simple little story, it has underlying depth to it, amid the humor. It brances out in exraordinary ways.
Two of my favorite scenes were in the field of daffodils (not a 'Field Of Dreams'), with Allison. I don't think I've heard many other lines more beautiful then those of Ewan to Jessica. It was an extraordinary moment. I wonder how many other people propose to the ones they love, without knowing much about them. Instead just relying on a feeling and the rest of their lives to discover someone, who makes their heart's sour with inexplicable delight. But then I think babies are created with just as much out of a feeling of love, not knowing how things will really turn out eventually, but somehow it does. Must be the same with marriage. That's very special.
A worthwhile movie experience. In keeping with the book that Daniel Wallance dedicated to his own father, but made even better. My love for this movie keeps growing. I hope to see this movie again. If only to wrap my thoughts around all the characters.
I really wanted to see this movie because I heard my special Ewan friend Gabrielle had a chance to be in it. Unfortunately she was overlooked. The producers will be sorry. I know she would have fitted in well, If I was making a movie, I'd take her in a second. Honestly I would. There were plenty of opportunity for crowd scenes, so for every Ewan fan able to be involved in the shoot, consider yourself very lucky. Your time shall come Gabrielle! You will show them and they will be sorry they didn't pick you. Lilia, one of the special girls able to meet and have a photo with Ewan McGregor, was one lucky girl! I hope she enjoyed the movie too! I'm so glad I got to chat and congratulate Lilia on her special time with Ewan. 'Big Fish' is sure to remain a favorite for many more people then usual because some got opportunities one doesn't usually get. Well done everyone with a special Ewan or 'Big Fish' story. You all make 'Big Fish' bigger and better then ever. I read the book to see what Gabrielle was missing out on. I also get the CD to complete my movie experience. I shall hold this Ewan movie esspecially close to my heart because I loved it, but also for Gabrielle's sake too. Keep trying something will bite soon, and it will be better then a 'Big Fish'. But until that time, it will be special to me because of Gabrielle.
Movie Review: Amazing Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I was sort of reluctant to see this movie when it first came out. Lots of reviews that I had read said it was good for the first 15 minutes and then went in a downward spiral from there. I also heard on the radio that the movie was three and a half hours long, and when a movie is that long, it's a big hunk of time that you need to take out of your day to watch the movie. Finally, I went to see the movie and I am glad I did. I thought the opposite of what the reviews that I had read said. The first 15 minutes of the movie seemed like a sappy chick-flick movie about a son remembering storys that his dieing father had told him as a little boy, and then the rest of the movie sped up into a supernatural story of a man's life-long adventure. And the movie was a little over two hours, so I guess the radio lied.
Now for a little plot summary, that may give out some of the stuff that happens in the movie, continue reading. I'll try not to give too much away. Big Fish was the story of a father and a son who didn't speak in years, speaking to each other for the first time in that time. The son had always been told exagerations of the truth by his father (or so he thought), and got very annoyed at his Dad's fish stories. This meeting between the father and son was because the father had become very ill, and was about to die. From that point on, through a series of flashbacks, you got to see the fathers life story his way, told my many different narrators. Through the father's adventures, he befriended giants, joined the circus, fought in WWII in Japan and met up with a pair of Siamese Twins, found a perfect town, and then saved it, got married, caught a really big fish on the day his son was born and then let it go, and saw the way he would did in the glass eye of a witch. Then the father had a stroke. He was rushed to the hospital, and through much strain, asked his son to tell him the way that he would die, and then wispered the word river. He had never told his son what he had seen in the witch's glass eye, so the son had to make up the story of his fathers death which had to do with the river. After the son was done with the story, his fathers last words were "Exactly!" and died. At the funeral, you got to see all of the people from the fathers stories, and as a suprising truth to the son that it wasn't all made up.
The moral of the story: Sometimes telling a exgerated lie based on the truth is much better than hearing the truth itself. As the son found out, his father's version of how things happened was much more exciting and entertaining than the way they happened in reality. And it also proved that dieing doesn't need to be a sad thing if you go out the right way.
The movie had great special effects of the weird and supernatural too. Having 12 foot tall giants standing next to 6 foot men was a nice feat, although at some points you could tell when puppets were being used. The Siamese Twins were great and of course, the big fish in the movie was very realistic. It was very Tim Burton-ish.
For paying tribute to other movies. Big Fish did that alot. Many aspects of the movie reminded me of the movie Citizen Kane. From all of the different charactors telling their version of the story to the father weezing out "the river" (aka- rosebud) on his death bed, I found it very alike. I don't know if this one was purposeful, but the fathers wedding ring reminded me of the ring from Lord of the Rings.
Everything was consistent in this movie for the most part. There weren't any plot holes except for the Circus Ringmaster. At one point he turned into a wild wolf, and then switched back to human, and I didn't really understand the purpose behind this transformation. Maybe I should read the book that the movie is based on.
Overall, this is a great movie. Go and see it.
Movie Review: Brilliantly told story.
Summary: 5 Stars
I went into Big Fish with high hopes. I love Tim Burton movies. He has an amazing imagination, which is lacking in many directors today. Directors like Roland Emmerich, Renny Harlin, and of course the big one, Michael Bay. These directors only use special effects and big explosions, while the story gets lost. Meanwhile Burton's genius is that his beautiful visuals compliment his stories. So as the curtains rose, and the theater went dark I was overcome by a childish glee. Then to my disdain, the lights came back on, then went on, and off about 15 more times before the movie finally started. But what a movie it ended up being.Big Fish tells the story of a young man trying to sort out the facts and lies that his father has been telling him for his whole life. As the story opens Will Bloom (Crudup) hasn't spoken to his father in almost three years. He got tired of listening to his tall tales, but when he gets a call from his mother (Lange) telling him that his father doesn't have much time he rushes down as a latch ditch effort to learn the facts about his father. Albert Finney plays Edward Bloom, a man nearly confined to his bed, trying to get his son to accept who he is. The majority of the film is told through flashbacks, showing the amazing life that young Edward Bloom (Mcgregor) has lived. From giants to circus, from war to salesman, the film gives you the glimpse of a life as Bloom sees it. Is it true? Is he lying? Or is he embellishing the facts? Who knows and who cares.
The actors in this movie shine. Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney are absolutely charming in this movie. You want to believe his stories, and you can see why others do. The convincing shed their accents and pick up a southern accent without you really noticing. Other notable performances include Jessica Lange and Helena Bohnam Carter. But another surprise would have had to be Lohman. This was the first movie I had seen her in, and I was amazed. She is extremely talented and even with the limited screen time she was given manage to catch my attention.
Now on to the inevitable visuals. Everyone knows of Tim Burtons visuals. Heck he has made it a trade mark., now known as Burtonism. This movie surprised me in the aspect that although very visual, it was the least of all his movies. What stood out to me? Well the town of Spectre along with the path to get there. It was a beautiful town, which represented Heaven on earth. Another notable section was the circus, where time froze while Ed Bloom saw the women of his life. The screenplay by John August captures the beauty of Daniel Wallace's book while expanding on it. The screenplay looked tailor made to be directed by Tim Burton. Which brings us to the score which was beautifully written by Danny Elfman. I have gotten so used to his dark and moody scores that I forgot how brilliant and light some of his scores can be. This is one of the best, compliments the movie perfectly.
So when the lights came back on after the movie was over I was smiling. My imagination was just blown away again by Tim Burton. I was talking about the movie with a few friends after we got out of the theater and they noticed the same reaction from the audience as with me. I remembered being afraid when I sat down originally because it was the late showing and the audience consisted of teens. I was expecting a lot of dumb comments but they were as blown away as I was. Even now a few months later as I watch it on dvd I still can't stop smiling at how much I like this movie. This is a movie for everyone.
Movie Review: Giants, Witches, And Fishes Oh My!
Summary: 5 Stars
Tim Burton is back. The macabe genius has slipped up here lately with his re-make of "Planet Of The Apes", but the man is back and in a big way. Burton has always been able to take his audience on an incredible journey into the minds of oddball characters(Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood) and into the presence of magical worlds and fairy tales. Never has he done so with such brilliance as he has with this latest offering. The movie is about Edward Bloom, a man who is seen young(played by Ewan McGregor), and as his older present day self(played by Albert Finney). Edward is not long for this world, and his estranged son Will(Billy Crudup), comes back home with his expecting wife, to see his father and patch things up before it's too late. Will has always been hearing his father's wild tall tales, and has had enough. He wants the truth. He wants to know the man that his father really is before the man himself is no more. From his bed, Edward Sr. talks with his son and the discussion takes us through the life and journeys he has been in. Young Edward is seen as a young man with ambition and determination with a lot left over to spare. He is seen journeying through the world into haunted woods, enchanting towns, working in a traveling circus, and coming across people such as a giant, witches, werewolves, and other interesting characters. Will tries to get to the bottom of these tall tales that his father has been telling and claiming are as true as they can be. It's a son hoping to reconcile with the man, the father, that he never really knew. This is like "Forrest Gump", but in a way that only Tim Burton could tell it. The story and screenplay is solid and laced with delicate writing, settings, and colorful characterizations. The fact that this wonderful film was so overlooked during 'Awards' time was downright criminal. Burton's girlfriend, Helena Bonham Carter, appears in the film, as does Burton regular, Danny DeVito, who plays a circus ringleader. Jessica Lange plays Edward's wife in present day, Sandra, and that character is played in the past by Alison Lohman. Jessica is such a fine actress, and it's too bad she wasn't given more to do. They did a fine job of getting the two actresses to play the same character. Crudup is a fine young actor and he does a solid job as the confused son searching for answers. Who wouldn't be in his place?. Who would believe the stories, or some of them, would be true?. Every frame is flawlessly choreographed, and the sets and art direction are magical, clear, colorful, and have a very serene feel. This is definitley Burton's masterpiece. It is a film that seems more human than anything he has done. The acting is sincere. Ewan brings an enthusiasm and down home charm to his role as the younger Edward, and he is enigmatic throughout. You are instantly charmed and even though you already know how he turns out, you root for him and wish him the best on his journey in life. Albert Finney does a fine job as the older, ailing Edward. He comes across as a very likeable old man who just embraces life. That's what the film is. Embrace life. Live it to it's fullest. One other review stated that Finney was unpleasant. I find that so untrue. This is pure gold. I haven't been this enchanted with a film in a long time. Thank you Tim Burton. Can't wait for the next one.Movie Review: A true Burton work of art !!
Summary: 5 Stars
Big Fish
This movie, by Tim Burton is by far one of his best. I have enjoyed most of Tim Burton's movies in the past such as, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Edward Scissorhands; so when I saw the commercials for Big Fish I was instantly drawn in. Not to mention, Ewan McGregor is in it, so I was in love instantly! When I saw this movie, I was not disappointed and that is obvious because I saw Big Fish in theatres three times while it was there and the day it came out on DVD, I bought it.
The movie is the story of a young man named Will (Billy Crudup) whose father Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) is dying. They had not spoke for a few years after Will's father took the spotlight at his wedding telling one of his outrageous tales. Now, while is father is lying in bed at home, Will who has grown up being told the many miraculous stories and tales of his fathers life, wants to find out the truth about all of the stories. Will does not believe that any of the stories that his father told him throughout his whole life are true and he feels he does not know who is father really is. As the stories and the movie unfold, Will learns more about his father and himself, as well as the reasons for the stories that his father told.
The movie goes back and forth between the present, and the stories being told as back-flashes. Young Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor) is the center of all the tall tales that include a witch with a glass eye that shows how people die, a perfect little town called Spectre with no road to it and even a giant named Karl. Each story is told with Tim Burton's usual sense of imagination, sensational imagery and darkness. The stories all revolve around events that happened in Edward Bloom's life, but each tale in the movie reflect a real tall tale.
The actor's in this movie are all wonderful at the parts they portray. Ewan McGregor is excellent as the young, charismatic Edward Bloom. Albert Finney makes the old Edward Bloom glow, even though he is sick in bed most of the time. The contrast between the two actors as young and old is perfect. Jessica Lange as Will's mother and Alison Lohman as a young Sandra Bloom are also wonderful in this movie. The casting in this movie was amazing and adds a lot to the rest of the movie as a whole.
Although Big Fish is a wonderful spectacle to see, I don't recommend watching it while you are tired because then it will seem a little slow. Believe it or not, I watched it once when I was tired and actually fell asleep. Every once in awhile there are parts that seem to kind of drag. That is made up for, however, in the great storyline and the colorful imagination and display of each story. I recommend this movie to be seen by everyone at least once and bring a box of Kleenex for the first time. Big Fish is a movie that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders. Since there is very little profanity and slight, but tasteful, nudity, this is a good family film and one that I even thought was appropriate to watch at a church youth group event. If you love Tim Burton's older movies, you will definitely love this one. Even if you didn't love his other movies, I still recommend everyone to rent this movie and see this outstanding spectacle at least once.