Movie Reviews for The New World

The New World

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Movie Reviews of The New World

Movie Review: This movie is in itself a different world
Summary: 5 Stars

I'm not surprised this movie only averages (at current) 3 stars. It is a very different kind of movie and you have to be prepared for a different experience. Clearly many reviewers here were not, so I wanted to review it just to make some points about this film. (I should add that it is one of my 2 or 3 favorite films of all time.)

There are really two different stories at work here. One is about culture and the other is about romantic love. The pace of the movie, which is slow, is necessary for both stories. From the cultural aspect, the pacing is deliberate, and is the perfect means of showing a world that doesn't operate by clocks or schedules. There is no rush in the way they live their lives. There is also a deep appreciation of the natural world, where things are quiet, where wind blows, thunder crackles, the sun moves across the sky, the water laps on the shore, etc.

This pace is also necessary for when Pocahontas goes to *his* world, to England. There is a distinct contrast here in the number, volume level, and types of sounds; in the costumes; in the grandeur of the sights. There is a real shift here that emphasizes the difference between the two worlds.

From the romantic aspect, one of the most charming aspects of this movie is that the characters do not share a common language. This presents a unique storytelling challenge: How do you tell a love story without dialogue? Malick does it through natural sound, a touch, a look, the inner thoughts of the characters, music, and through an editing style that gives us a sense of being in the moment. They come to enjoy each other's company without language (at least at first). The actors pull this off wonderfully, with a look or a touch. The effect is dreamlike, which is often what love can feel like. I really appreciate how Malick shoots and edits simple moments that feel disjointed, almost like memory. To me, this is one of the most powerful love stories ever committed to film and it's amazing how little the characters say to one another.

My suggestion for anyone wanting to see this movie is to try and give yourself over to it. This is indeed a new world in terms of a movie experience. Rather than bringing your own concepts of "entertainment" to it, let yourself be affected by something that's unfamiliar, where time slows down and life is completely different.

Movie Review: poetic
Summary: 4 Stars

if you like Terrence Malick, this will suit you. deeply romantic, long and poetic

Movie Review: Too sappy for words
Summary: 1 Stars

I remember Pauline Kael referring to Dancing With Wolves as Dancing With Feathers. A sobriquet far more appropriate to this romantic little enterprise. Good grief it looks like a Harpers Bazaar shoot. Were the *naturals* that artistic? Who did their grassy field choreography?

I'm sorry , it's too easy to potshot this silly thing. Rent (or better yet buy) Black Robe if you want to see a gutsy take on 17th century exploration in the new world. Even more beautifully photographed as well as more realistic & brutal but oh so unforgettable.

PS...Colin Farrell looks like Brad Pitt dipped in ink.

Movie Review: Buyer Beware of which version you are getting
Summary: 1 Stars

The vendor states this is the original movie with a run time of 150 minutes, that is false. This is the shorter, theatrical version with a run time of 133 minutes. I wrote to customer service to edit the false advertising and hoping the get the longer version.