Sean-Bean Movie Reviews

We get four new adventures of Major Richard Sharpe as ge continues his battle through Spain.

Sharpe's Honor is the best of the lot as we see the return of Ducos as a villian and Alice Kirge without her borg queen makeup but still carrying the moments she is on screen. All this as Sharpe is suffering from the death of his wife.

Sharpe's Gold is the worst of the lot. The subplots are much better than the main plot and the actors carry it well. The "villian" of the piece just doesn't work for me, but fine acting and great subplots make this worth seeing. It is my choice for the worst of the 14 Sharpe movies (meaning only 4 stars)

Sharpe's Battle is an improvement with a fine plot, (an Irish brigade) a great villian (Gen Loup) and fine foil (The Lord Riely) and best of all for me character actor Ian McNeice as Wagon Master General Runciman providing a ton of comic relief as he always does. Add to that many great battle scenes and we have a real winner.

Sharpe's Sword suffers from a wooden villian but not much else. The return of Sharpe's foe Sir Henry is interesting, the subplots are fine and the supporting actors support well. A tad too mellodramatic at some points but, hey were all here to have fun.

All and all a worthwhile investment for any Sharpe fan.

WHAT CAN I POSSABLY SAY ABOUT THIS SUPERB , EXELLANT , 10 OUT OF 10 MOVIE SPECTACULA.

This book is an instant thriller. I enjoyed every breth taking minute of it. This seires should be put in video stores everywhere!!

I feel I can't praise enough this wonderful film based on a novel by Catherine Cookson (which I have not read). The setting in the poor, bleak working-class neighbourhood of Fifteen Streets, in turn-of-the-century Newcastle, is wonderfully good, but especially, the acting is superb (do they all really speak that way?). The conflicts that these characters live through in the story change them forever, and you actually can see this in the expression on their faces, from hopeful to hopeless, and in the inflection of their voices. This is really ACTING at its best. After watching the film we are left with a feeling of respect for these hard workers and their families, who get over misery and bad times thanks to their sense of dignity and (in the case of the main character -who is NOT Sean Bean-) love. Not to miss, even if you are not a romance buff (which I am not).

Although the VHS tape I received is slightly poor in picture quality, the story of The Fifteen Streets shines through beautifully. This heart-wrenching love story is a rare gem. The performances are powerful to the point of mesmerizing. I laughed and cried and hoped throughout this movie...and I'm a guy! I can't wait for this Catherine Cookson masterpiece to find its way onto DVD.

I have recently seen "The Fifteen Streets" on the WE channel. I was absalutely enthralled by the movie. The performances of Owen Teale and Annie Tobin are particularly outstanding. Owen Teale became John O'Brien for me, and I could not imagine him as anyone else. (Until I saw him as Will Scarlet in "Robin Hood". Then, of course, he was the best WS I have seen.) The scope of the emotional and psysical presence he conveys in this movie is truly breathtaking! This movie is one that takes you with it. You laugh with them, cry with them and love and despair with them. Not only has this movie brought me a new treasure for my collection, it has brought me a new "favorite actor" to add to my list, which icludes Gregory Peck, Dustin Hoffman, and now, Owen Teale. The man is incredible! The movie is excellent!!

I think that the plot of the story is very good. The girl could have been a little better. There was a lot of action and suspence. A note to the movie directors, make it more obvious as where the story is taking place. Overall I think the movie is second best, next to For Your Eyes Only.

An excellent portrait of the Napoleon wars. Reminds me of "Gettysburg" and "Rough Riders" only more earthy and with less hero worship of the characters. Sean Bean is excellent as Sharpe. The antagonist (A Sergeant who's name escapes me) is so well and despicably played that you love to hate him. He is really a scoundrel. I immediately became interested in reading the series. Well worth an evening's investment. END

Wow! What can I tell ya. It blew me away. I thought this movie, after the successes of epics such as Gladiator and Lord of the Rings, would find it very hard to be any original, inspired and entertaining, but it really succeeds in all areas! All the actors are good in it. I am one of the few who have seen it because it was a private screening of a rough cut, but it was still awesome! Cheers.

To some this movie will not appeal. Some might even go as far to say that it is completely beyond redemption because of its views of the future and its terrible plot line. But I say its got one huge redeming quality and that is Jessica Alba.

To some this movie will not appeal. Some might even go as far to say that it is completely beyond redemption because of its views of the future and its terrible plot line. But I say its got one huge redeming quality and that is Jessica Alba.

Three more chances to see our hero Richard Sharpe proceed into France with some of the best and one of the worst of the series.

In SHARPE'S REGIMENT we get my favorite episode of the series and Sharpe and Harper travel back to England to try to find the missing 2nd regiment of the South Essex. The return of Sir Henry Simmerson, and the introduction of both Jane and Lady Anne Camoynes make the episode good, but the totally different setting and the look at the making of a British soldier makes it great. Sharpe is out of his element here, but luckly for him he gains allies to help save the day. *****

In SHARPE'S SIEGE we get a pretty good story as Sharpe is saddled with a young Col Bampfylde and a French Royalist to try to start and encourage revolt in France. The return of Ducos and Fredrickson add greatly to the plot as does the introduction of General Calvet and his lackey. The subplot concerning fever does nor, nor does the Royalist's sister, a strong supporter of Boney. Look for a good subplot conerning one of Fredrickson's men. ****3/4

SHARPE'S MISSION would easily be the worst of the series if it wasn't for SHARPE'S GOLD. The basic plot is weak and the lead villian is just flat, but the subplots save the day. Piecroft is a facinating character, Harper's problems with Ramona are very interesting, Calvet is well done, and the scene's between Harris and the English Reporter are priceless. All these subplots and good acting despite a bad script by the usual crowd bails this episode out.
***3/4

Overall rating ****1/2

This collection three of the Sharpe series is more adventrous and suspenseful as the other Shapre series before it. In Sharpe's Regiment, both Sharpe and Harper find themselves being hunted down in London, while they try to crack down on a mysterious recruit shortage. In Sharpe's Siege, the rope tightens around Sharpe's neck, when he's surrounded in a castle with a small force against a large French force. In Sharpe's Mission, Sharpe risks his life to bring down a British officer, who kills the British and French. Great series and enjoy!

I found the series to be very entertaining and close to historical truths ,they follow the novels by Bernard Cornwell very close unlike some other movies who stray from the original concept...a story worth watching...big fan

Considered both as fantasy adventure and as an adaptation of a beloved literary classic, Peter Jackson's film of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" sets new standards for cinematic excellence. Everything about this film feels exactly right, from the casting to the screenplay to the special effects. The last are amazing, putting to shame anything George Lucas has come up with, and yet they always serve to advance the story; unlike Lucas, there's never any hint that Jackson is merely playing with his toys. Jackson shows great respect for Tolkien's text, but not slavish devotion. Certain characters--such as the lovable Tom Bombadil and Frodo's poisonous Aunt Lobelia--are missing, and Tolkien would be chagrined to find that the little poems and songs he loved to write are nowhere quoted. But if Jackson gives short shrift to Tolkien's whimsy, he more than makes up for that by giving us Tolkien's intensity, pathos and moral vision absolutely undiluted. Above all, Jackson never forgets that Tolkien's chief emphasis was always on the characters he created. Jackson casts wonderful actors to play those characters and--again unlike Lucas--he actually allows them to give performances. How wonderful to find the great Sir Ian McKellen, a uniquely commanding and charismatic actor, as Gandalf, or the charming and touching Elijah Wood as Frodo. You can go straight down the list--Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Sean Astin as Sam, Ian Holm as Bilbo, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel--and find nothing but perfection. This is one of the very few big-budget blockbusters that unqualifiedly deserves its success, and all we can do now is look forward with excitement to the release of "The Two Towers" in 2002 and "The Return of the King" in 2003. Like the books they came from, these three fillms will be cherished by future generations.

"It wasn't just like the book. Peter Jackson wasn't close enough to the mark. Where's Tom Bombadil? THE BOOKS WERE BETTER!" BLA! BLA! BLA! BLA! BLA! I've had enough of the "fan boys" complaining about the fact that the films are not "like the books". That's because these are what people living in the present like to call "films, or movies". Give peter Jackson credit where it's due. Nobody makes truly epic films like this anymore. The man's discovered a lost art. As much as I like George Lucas, he can create a universe from nothing and transfer it to film. Peter Jackson used the real world and made sure that a great deal of time, effort, and care went into presenting this ADAPTATION. If it were just like the books, people would have fallen asleep or walked out after the first 100 page narrative. GROW UP! ENJOY LIFE! WATCH MORE TV! DRINK SOME ALE AND SMOKE A HOBBIT PIPE WHILE YOU'RE AT IT!

Sincerely,

Bilbo Baggins

I'll make this short by assuming you have seen the theatrical release and are a fan.
Pros:
Bottom line is the extended edition (consisting of disk 1 & 2) is well worth the purchase alone. After seeing it, you get a lot more out of the movie (character development, storyline, etc.) These extended scenes were obviously cut out due to the movie running too long. They have done a good job adding them back in with the exception of only a couple of transitional glitches.

The VERY in-depth appendices (disk 3, & 4) provide you with everything from writing the screenplay to design and special effects by Weta.

Cons:
The packaging is done well, with a book style looking DVD case, holding all four discs. However, getting the discs out of the case is another story. If you have rented a fair amount of DVD's then you know what I'm talking about. You feel as though you're going to break the discs when trying to get them out; I guess not all cases are created equal.

Verdict:
Go for it.

Considered both as fantasy adventure and as an adaptation of a beloved literary classic, Peter Jackson's film of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" sets new standards for cinematic excellence. Everything about this film feels exactly right, from the casting to the screenplay to the special effects. The last are amazing, putting to shame anything George Lucas has come up with, and yet they always serve to advance the story; unlike Lucas, there's never any hint that Jackson is merely playing with his toys. Jackson shows great respect for Tolkien's text, but not slavish devotion. Certain characters--such as the lovable Tom Bombadil and Frodo's poisonous Aunt Lobelia--are missing, and Tolkien would be chagrined to find that the little poems and songs he loved to write are nowhere quoted. But if Jackson gives short shrift to Tolkien's whimsy, he more than makes up for that by giving us Tolkien's intensity, pathos and moral vision absolutely undiluted. Above all, Jackson never forgets that Tolkien's chief emphasis was always on the characters he created. Jackson casts wonderful actors to play those characters and--again unlike Lucas--he actually allows them to give performances. How wonderful to find the great Sir Ian McKellen, a uniquely commanding and charismatic actor, as Gandalf, or the charming and touching Elijah Wood as Frodo. You can go straight down the list--Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Sean Astin as Sam, Ian Holm as Bilbo, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel--and find nothing but perfection. This is one of the very few big-budget blockbusters that unqualifiedly deserves its success, and all we can do now is look forward with excitement to the release of "The Two Towers" in 2002 and "The Return of the King" in 2003. Like the books they came from, these three fillms will be cherished by future generations.

"It wasn't just like the book. Peter Jackson wasn't close enough to the mark. Where's Tom Bombadil? THE BOOKS WERE BETTER!" BLA! BLA! BLA! BLA! BLA! I've had enough of the "fan boys" complaining about the fact that the films are not "like the books". That's because these are what people living in the present like to call "films, or movies". Give peter Jackson credit where it's due. Nobody makes truly epic films like this anymore. The man's discovered a lost art. As much as I like George Lucas, he can create a universe from nothing and transfer it to film. Peter Jackson used the real world and made sure that a great deal of time, effort, and care went into presenting this ADAPTATION. If it were just like the books, people would have fallen asleep or walked out after the first 100 page narrative. GROW UP! ENJOY LIFE! WATCH MORE TV! DRINK SOME ALE AND SMOKE A HOBBIT PIPE WHILE YOU'RE AT IT!

Sincerely,

Bilbo Baggins

I'll make this short by assuming you have seen the theatrical release and are a fan.
Pros:
Bottom line is the extended edition (consisting of disk 1 & 2) is well worth the purchase alone. After seeing it, you get a lot more out of the movie (character development, storyline, etc.) These extended scenes were obviously cut out due to the movie running too long. They have done a good job adding them back in with the exception of only a couple of transitional glitches.

The VERY in-depth appendices (disk 3, & 4) provide you with everything from writing the screenplay to design and special effects by Weta.

Cons:
The packaging is done well, with a book style looking DVD case, holding all four discs. However, getting the discs out of the case is another story. If you have rented a fair amount of DVD's then you know what I'm talking about. You feel as though you're going to break the discs when trying to get them out; I guess not all cases are created equal.

Verdict:
Go for it.