6.8/10 (Recommend)
I've just started reading the book and while I'm only four chapters in I can already sense the build-up and excitement for the win that is yet to come. Two hours of watching the movie and I'm excited for the win, but it takes too long to get there.
By drawbacks to the film are that there's limited introduction to the boys or the coach. It doesn't simmer on key dynamics that make you excited for an underdog crew. A lot of moments feel like a jostle that don't give you enough time to enjoy the emotions of the situation.
Positives to the film are that there's a good focus to the boat on the water. A lot of films may take a sport, but barely show the play or practice. You get a general sense and appreciation of the effort it takes to row a boat. While there's a lot of cutting shots you can tell that the actors actually had to row and weren't just set against a screen. Effort was genuinely put in.
The last aspect that fell a bit short for me was the Olympic moment. This is the key to the story though a lot of moments built-up to it in real life it felt barely touched upon as the finale. This was the moment boys from the West Coast of the USA during the Great Depression had the opportunity to defeat Hitler's Germany as the ultimate underdogs and you don't get the full appreciation of what that was like. You get excited for the result, but it feels like a lot of empty questions are had.
Still it's a movie worth watching. It ebbs and flows between exciting and boring. The acting eventually gets inspirational. It gives a hint that no matter who doubts you, so long as you believe in yourself and work hard, you can come out on top. Despite only being four chapters into the book.... I'll say it's definitely worth reading.
That's it for now. Thanks for taking time to read my review. Happy watching and enjoy the show!
I've just started reading the book and while I'm only four chapters in I can already sense the build-up and excitement for the win that is yet to come. Two hours of watching the movie and I'm excited for the win, but it takes too long to get there.
By drawbacks to the film are that there's limited introduction to the boys or the coach. It doesn't simmer on key dynamics that make you excited for an underdog crew. A lot of moments feel like a jostle that don't give you enough time to enjoy the emotions of the situation.
Positives to the film are that there's a good focus to the boat on the water. A lot of films may take a sport, but barely show the play or practice. You get a general sense and appreciation of the effort it takes to row a boat. While there's a lot of cutting shots you can tell that the actors actually had to row and weren't just set against a screen. Effort was genuinely put in.
The last aspect that fell a bit short for me was the Olympic moment. This is the key to the story though a lot of moments built-up to it in real life it felt barely touched upon as the finale. This was the moment boys from the West Coast of the USA during the Great Depression had the opportunity to defeat Hitler's Germany as the ultimate underdogs and you don't get the full appreciation of what that was like. You get excited for the result, but it feels like a lot of empty questions are had.
Still it's a movie worth watching. It ebbs and flows between exciting and boring. The acting eventually gets inspirational. It gives a hint that no matter who doubts you, so long as you believe in yourself and work hard, you can come out on top. Despite only being four chapters into the book.... I'll say it's definitely worth reading.
That's it for now. Thanks for taking time to read my review. Happy watching and enjoy the show!