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# Review ‘Master and Commander’ well worth the climb aboard
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/review-master-and-commander-well-worth-the-climb-aboard/
- Published: 2003-11-14T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:14:35.000Z
- Author: Dan Dunn
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe makes a strong case for a fourth consecutive Oscar nomination as “Lucky” Jack Aubrey, the intrepid captain of a British naval warship during the Napoleonic wars. Artfully directed by Peter Weir (“The Truman Show,” “Dead Poets Society”), “Master and Commander,” based on an extensive series of historical novels by the late Patrick O’Brian, takes us on a rousing journey aboard the HMS Surprise, as Aubrey and his crew battle a superior ship and the unforgiving elements. Besides being marvelous to behold — the cinematography is nothing short of spectacular — this film is a joy because it gives audiences something not often afforded in Hollywood blockbusters — a little credit for not being a pack of imbecilic lamppost lickers. “Master and Commander” is, above all else, a thinking-person’s action-adventure movie. Rather than try and hook us with dumbed-down cinematic devices, Weir and co-screenwriter John Collee drop us right onto the deck in 1805, presupposing at least a passing knowledge of history and an interest in seafaring soldiers.

Our journey begins in the South Atlantic, off the coast of Brazil, where the Surprise is surprised by the French frigate Acheron. His ship heavily damaged, Cap’n Jack balks at the idea of heading home and instead sails south to repair at sea, where he’s nearly sunk again by his formidable foe. His best buddy, the ship’s resident naturalist and doctor, Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany, who also played Crowe’s imaginary pal in “A Beautiful Mind”), thinks Aubrey’s obsession with defeating the Acheron could be the death of them all. Aubrey claims he’s just doing his job, and despite a host of hardships, the crew bravely stands by their man. Aubrey’s a tough guy who must make even tougher choices, and a beefed-up Crowe sells his struggle sensationally. When he stands up on the bow and tells his charges they’re going for the glory against impossible odds, well, it’ll make you want to jump up and shout, “You go, Crowe!” He’s the archetypal swashbuckling hero (think Maximus, in a sailor’s uniform) who plays the violin and is in touch with his sensitive side (think Yo-Yo Ma on the “Love Boat”). It’s another meaty role for an actor who seemingly can’t miss. “Master And Commander” sails into theaters this weekend, and is definitely worth jumping aboard. (Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences, related images and brief language.)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 14, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/111403.pdf?ref=smdp.com)