(3 of 3)
Crowe has many of these moments too--secrets of remorse, doubt and longing, never spoken, shared only with the camera. For all the movie's perfect storms and burly skirmishes, its art is in the creation of people the audience comes to know so well after two hours that it can read their thoughts. So Master and Commander is to movies what Russell Crowe is to acting. With subtlety and power, it explores the complexities of men at war, even with themselves. It puts the passion into action, and the thrill into thought.
--By Richard Corliss