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chapter11 [ 7.0 ]
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Suffers rather unpredictably in its final half-hour more than its lengthy middle section, which is, if nothing else, a testament to Tom Hanks's prowess as an incredible performer. Much of "Cast Away" is not only emotionally affecting, but surprisingly involving - much more involving than you'd presume a long stretch of film featuring a scruffy man, a volleyball, and a lot of sand to be. Again, the ending, quite frankly, sucks, and potentially interesting performances by Helen Hunt and Nick Searcy are eventually inconsequential because they get about 20 minutes of screentime apiece. Plus, I think that some insight into the process by which Hanks's colleagues searched for and eventually gave up on him would have been interesting; although it could be argued that it would detract from the individualist's, survivor's aspect of it, and that finding out certain things as Hanks finds them out is infinitely more effective .. but I suppose these are small potatoes. It's well worth the time.
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kcremer [ 7.5 ]
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Not a bad movie - Tom Hanks is good as a fed ex delivery guy who is forced to live alone on an island after a plane crash. I liked how the movie doesn't resolve at the end - but there were better movies out that year that didn't get nearly as much praise.
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babyduck [ 7.5 ]
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As Brandon and I walked out of the theater Brandon comments "this film didn't have the emotional impact I thought it would." I agree with him wholeheartedly. In addition I'm extremely upset with the fact that the latest set of previews have basically given the whole movie away. With a film that has such a simple plot, this definitely killed the film for me.
Unfortunately for me I tend to be exposed to a lot of previews and with previews revealing more and more of the plot it's starting to hamper my ability to enjoy what should have been a great film.
I'm kind of curious on what kind of location shoot they did for this film and how big of a crew was needed since the bulk of the film just involved Tom Hanks.
And this film does not really need to be enjoyed on the big screen if you want to wait for it on DVD.
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Corto [ 6.5 ]
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A succesful rendition of an age old story. Indeed, Hanks has never been better; the island scenes are as believable as possible. Also the plane crash scene is very well presented. I only wonder how much FedEx and Wilson paid for the ads.
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astrosheil [ 8.0 ]
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This film had me riveted to my seat. Hanks pulled it off well. The special effects made me feel as if I were there myself..alone on an island with only my own resources to survive.
My only problem was the ending. And I can't discuss it without giving it away. But it was the only false note in the movie and very unsatisfactory from my point of view.
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jeff_v [ 8.0 ]
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A very un-Zemeckis Zemeckis film with a sterling performance from Tom Hanks. This is a film about the irreversibility of the past and the dangers of deigning to define and control life, which has a mind of its own.
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Stitch [ 8.5 ]
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I don't think very many actors could have pulled off this role. Tom Hanks once again loses himself in his character (like he's done in many films but most noteably in Philadelphia). The instant (seeming) transition from chubby fish-out-of-water man to thin, gaunt "Island Man" is quite phenomenal. I understand that they closed down production for 1 year so Tom could lose weight and gain a beard. Very effective. The movie was very touching on many levels and the title is aptly presented as two words rather than just the one "Castaway". It's much more than that. It is a little more somber than I had been led to believe from the trailer, but that's not a bad thing. I really liked how they wrapped up the story though, very uplifting. Helen Hunt was good but she doesn't have as much of a role as you might think. This is definitely Tom Hanks' movie. He is absolutely deserving of another Oscar nom but I think there are other actors more deserving of the actual award. The director, Robert Zemekis, adds a lot of juxtoposed actions/scenes. One very effective one was during the riveting and very intense plane crash. Tom is in the airplane's bathroom examining a bandaid and a sliver of a cut on one finger with great concern. Then, without warning, an explosion rocks the plane and within minutes he is flung into the ocean. He now has more wounds and pains (emotionally and physically) than any little paper cut could give. Not for the squeamish or those with short attention spans. There is about an hour of the film without music, and the only speaking is from Tom Hanks to himself. Definitely not boring however. Worth seeing on the big screen. Don't just wait for video/DVD.
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JD [ 9.0 ]
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This film is everything it is cracked up to be and more. It is a riveting and emotional journey for two and a half hours that'll keep you highly entertained. The special effects of the plane crash are phenomenal (second best ever next to ALIVE)and the cinematography is outstanding. Tom Hanks is as incredible as he was in Forrest Gump and possibly even moreso. Forget Gladiator for best picture, as this is it. By far, the film of the year. Must be seen on the big screen.
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earlgrey [ 7.5 ]
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One line sums it up - "We live and we die by the clock". Tom Hanks plays a honcho at Federal Express who pushes his people to do what ever it takes to deliver that package on time. Before he takes a trans-atlantic flight aboard a Fed-X cargo jet, he proposed to his girlfriend, played by Helen Hunt. The plane crashes in the ocean, and Tom is marooned on small island.
With a few exceptions, I thought more character development was needed for "Wings" lady. Her package with the wings on the box sustained Tom Hanks through his ordeal, but who was she?
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Love_Spoon [ 8.0 ]
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I realize that there are probably some that think that Tom Hanks is some sort of Hollywood Warlock, casting spells on millions of people to believe that he's the best actor around. Well, I've gotta confess, I'm one of those spellbound people. I thought Cast Away was the most original film of the year, and one of the most original of the decade. I thought the use of silence was intriguing. Instead of filling up each second with meaningless noise, the filmakers did the natural thing and allowed noise to cease. Cast Away made it on my Top 100 at #86, which these days is saying quite a bit. Go see it.
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Edwards [ 9.0 ]
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Monumentally underrated. Despite everyone's criticisms, it's the ending that brings it all together. The reunion with Helen Hunt and the final shot of the crossroads are both deeply moving. I agree that his time on the island wasn't expounded on thoroughly enough, even at well over an hour (it's that abrupt time shift that throws everything off balance), but arguably that's not even the point. We get what happened to him while he was stranded. The story's about Tom Hanks, and how being alone, struggling to survive, and suddenly having all the time in the world changed his perspective on life, so more might just have been superfluous to the profound themes essayed by Zemeckis and screenwriter William Broyles Jr. Like any good storytellers, they revealed only what was necessary to their specific idea, and worked within those self-imposed boundaries. The result is an overlooked masterpiece of our time
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Tomcat [ 9.0 ]
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Tom Hanks performance is brilliantly realized in this survivor adventure. I like the fact that most of the movie takes place on the island and we are not switching back and forth from scene to scene when Hanks is on the island. It leaves the audience in suspense with the fact that we don't know what is going on with his girlfriend. Very well acted and directed.
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NYCritic [ 9.5 ]
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Tom Hanks was robbed at the oscars. He gave his best performance and he was really the only actor. This film could have easily have gotten a 10 from me, but the end left me with mixed feelings. The island scenes are simply unforgettable and completely realistic. This movie is moving at almost all of its parts and the film plays beautifully. I was suprised that Tom Hanks played the role perfectly and that he really was this character. Helen Hunt also shows a great performance, though not her best(As Good As It Gets). The film is so realistic and phenomenal. Though Mr. Hanks lost to the talentless Russell Crowe this was the best male performance of the year and it definetly should not be missed.
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shanster [ 8.5 ]
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Somebody actually told me that they were disappointed with the lack of dialogue. The guy is on a freakin' island! I'm impressed that they came up with Wilson for him to talk to. I enjoyed this from beginning to end.
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| Weighted Rating | : 7.3 |
| No. Ratings | : 36 | |
| No. Reviews | : 22 | |
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