This is one of those movies where everyone keeps telling me that I should love this film. Well, I don't. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World has huge pacing problems. If only this film had some focus on a single story instead of being overly concerned with three major plots, it might have worked.

The premise had promise. A British Naval vessel circa 1800 is pursuing a French ship which could tip the balance of power in the south east Pacific. The captain of this ship is known as Lucky Jack Aubrey. He'll stop at nothing to achieve his goal. Toss into his way a ship's surgeon more interested in bugs than duty, and a commander of the Royal Marines who is reckless with a musket on deck, and Aubrey turns out the be the only believable character.

This film is an editing train wreck. There's too much going on for you to focus. This also makes the film way too long. It's greatest sin is a part where the wind dies and the ship sits motionless in the water. The trouble with this scene is the film doesn't move either.

On the positive, I so have to say, you get a good feel what what life must have been like aboard a war ship of this era. But it's not enough to justify the price of admission or the time.