Big Fish
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.92 You Save: $10.07 (67%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.03 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Big Fish
Movie Review: Burton's Masterwork?
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a huge fan of the work of director Tim Burton and have found something to redeem even his lesser work(Yes, "Mars Attacks!") with the exception of the misguided "Planet of the Apes" remake. "Big Fish" is his most assured and mature work to date, if mature refers to a movie that contains giants, witches, and werewolves. The film concerns the strained relationship between a dying Edward Bloom(Albert Finney) and his son Will(Billy Crudup). The point of contention between the two seems to be the fabrications that the elder Bloom uses to relate about events of his life. Edward Bloom clings to his dying breath to the truth of the tales he tells. Young Will finds these stories disingenuous. The film seems to come down on Edward's side in the sense that what is wrong with these minor digressions from reality when they make life that more interesting. The acting in this film is superb. Albert Finney as the elder Bloom is nothing short of spectacular. His work here was unfairly denied an Oscar nomination and possibly the gold trophy itself. Why is it we take some of our finest actors for granted? Ewan McGregor as Edward Bloom as a young man is every bit Finney's equal and he is another talent we take for granted. The remainder of the cast (Jessica Lange, Crudup, Helena Bonham-Carter) are all good. I would also like to cite Alison Lohman as Edward Bloom's wife as a young woman. I saw her in "Matchstick Men" and she was nothing short of stupendous. She is somebody to look out for in the future. Burton's direction is surehanded, the script is excellent, the art direction and cinematography is breathtaking. Another citation has to go to another one of Danny Elfman's masterful music scores. This film is one that grows on you and is one where repeat viewings will enhance your appreciation of it.Movie Review: Big Fish is a "move-me" not just a "movie"!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Big Fish is the best movie I have ever seen and I have sent many, many people to see it and none have been disappointed. The easiest way to describe the movie would be "Terms of Endearment" for Sons and Fathers. The son knows that his father is dying, but is unable to let go without at least trying to distinguish between his Father's "Fish" stories and his father's real life. The viewer never knows until the very end of the movie where the truth lies in this senerio. I assume many viewers will find themselves in this "non-chick" flick and so you may need some tissue, I did. Also this is a Tim Burton masterpiece in production, visual effects, plot, music, and character interplay.The sexiest scene I have ever viewed in a film takes place in Big Fish and yet there is no nudity in the scene. Jessica Lang provides the viewer with her usual superb performance and the young version of her character looks so much like her the viewer forgets they are two different actors and both their performances are outstanding. McGregor, although has lots of scenes in the movie, plays his part of the confused and somewhat angry son flawlessly. The father and his younger version keep the viewer so entertained that you never want this film to end. I would recommend this film to everyone over the age of 12. It is not a good choice for real young children because Tim Burton has done such an outstanding job of producing this film and most of the scenes are bigger than life and would easily scare younger audiances, although this is not a scary movie. It is brilliant and I do not understand why Hollywood has not given this picture more oscar attention and it is rare that I ever want to view a film more than once I intend to buy this DVD and watch it 100 more times.
Movie Review: A Father's Love
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is one of my favorites. I am a self-proclaimed Tim Burton fanatic but this one is really up there for me.
Ewan McGregor does a fantastic job as the main character but the crux of this film is the relationship between he and his son. Through his father's stories, one thread remained true, family was always family. As the witch in the town Edward Bloom tried to save said, "It was always your mother". Every woman always came back to Jessica Lange's character for Edward Bloom.
Like most of us, Ewan McGregor was a mix of fact and fiction. His life was made better because he made it that way. His son found this at his death, before most of us really meet our father. Most of us really get to know our dad's after they are gone when it is too late. OK, I'm siging "Mike and the Mechanics", "In the Living Years" right now. We usually cannot accept them as they are when they are here.
Jessica Lange was an awesome addition to the cast as Ewan McGregor's wife. As we find in the end of the film, many of the "characters" from the "tall tales" were real people that knew and loved Billy Crudup's father.
A life well lived can be quiet and uneventful but a life well lived can also be told in technicolor. We are called to dream the dreams and make our imaginations color our worlds. How many really do that in their mundane lives?
This film reminded me of James Blunt's CD "Back to Bedlam". It makes you believe in true love standing the test of time again. It is not syrupy and it is not fake. Time really does stand still when you first see your true love, that may be the enduring legacy of this film, that life is what you make it, even if you make it up as you go along!
Movie Review: Unless you only like movies that require the brain activity of a comatose state, watch this
Summary: 5 Stars
I first heard this movie was boring, but I honestly think this is because people are so watered-down nowadays with easy-come entertainment that they miss real literature. Now it takes a little thinking; this movie is absolutely saturated with symbolism. It is originally a book, good sign, but it's also Tim Burton's portrayal that really makes this movie shine. Coupled with Danny Elfman's score, and excellent performances by McGregor (I used to not like him because of Star Wars but now I love him) and Bonham-Carter, this is not only a must-see but a must-keep.
This story comes from the perspective of a son who has become absolutely sick of his father's "tall tales." Most of the movie consists of the father's "flashbacks," but unlike most movies who tried pulling this type of thing off, meshes it very nicely with the present day so that themes, contrasts, etc. can match nicely.
Now, at the end of the movie, what we realize is not the intrinsic value of tall tales but that it is really your perception of your own life, rather than incidents that happen, that truly define it. Course, I could just say that, but it is so much more effective in the unique, beautiful manner that Ewan McGregor's story tells it. Each of the "tall tales" that annoy(ed) the son (see, you have to watch the movie to find out if the son ever gets over it) tell a specific story or message, and through the exaggerations the points of these stories are seen more clearly.
So, watch this movie carefully. Far from boring, it will captivate you, entertain you, and possibly make you think about your own life. What if it really is your perception rather than what actually happens that defines your life? Think about it.
Movie Review: Great movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
The movie Big Fish is an elaborate tall tale woven into a clasic father and son story. Edward Bloom (Albert Finnely) is dying and his son William (Billy Crudup) wants to make peace with his father before he passes away. What results is the story of an average man's life portrayed through a series of mythical tales. Bloom's stories, which were often a bother for his son, depict a man whose life is often exaggerated, yet full of adventure and zest. At the movie's end, William finally realizes the importance of his father's stories and cherishes them instead of condeming them as being foolish.
This movie is common of movies directed by Tim Burton in terms of its somewhat numerous and sometimes unusual visual effects, but has more heart than any other of his movies that I have seen and only has very small hints of horror (moving trees, a werewolf, etc) that are meant more to amuse than to frighten. I would liken the effects to be of the same caliber to those in Burton's Beetlejuice, but far less scarier. The special effects in this movie are great and make it a very lively and enjoyable story. The acting in Big Fish is also pretty good. Ewan McGregor does a superior job playing the young Edward Bloom and Finnely and Crudup make a good father and son pair.
I would recommend this movie if you are interested in a touching story about father and son relationships, life and death, family, the South, and above of course tall tales. It is a good movie to watch with your family but even if you watch it alone, I'll bet that the end of the movie will still tug at your heartstrings. I'd strongly recommend this one, and I doubt that you will be disappointed.