Today I'm going to go ahead and review one of the all time most popular movies. Shawshank Redemption stars Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, and is based on the short story by Steven King titled " Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"
Plot: 9/10
You don't get any better than the plot of Shawshank Redemption, it has everything you ever need in a flick. From the moment the opening credits roll, you are pulled in and trapped where you can't, nor want to, get out. The movie goes to great lengths to set up what leads to probably the greatest ending of any movie, yes that's right, its that good. Having an ending this amazing doesn't come by accident, the movie creators know the importance of "setting the table" for what eventually leaves people breathless, inspired, and simply put shocked all within the final 10 minutes or so of the film. Without the strong base plot and small yet important side stories, the ending would probably have fell flat, yet with every aspect of this plot being as strong as it is, the ending hits the home run that it needed to, making this one of the top 5 movies of all time in most people's views. Now i must explain why this plot did not deserve a 10/10 rating. I have watched another movie, "Escape from Alcatraz" with Clint Eastwood, this movie is eerily similar to ALOT of the plot lines and details, and it was released nearly 20 years earlier. This slightly takes away from the originality of Shawshank Redemption. Maybe its coincidence, maybe not, but i cannot help but think that at least some of the things that make this film great were "borrowed" from the Eastwood Classic.
Acting: 8/10
I am Sort of torn on this one, because i am sitting on both end of the spectrum, Morgan Freeman, to me, is one of the if not "the" greatest actors of all time. His work as "Red" has to be ranked up there as one of the all time greatest lead acting roles in cinema history. His Oscar win for this performance is considered by many, including me, a must see for any movie lover. This should run as no surprise though, Morgan Freeman has always been one of my favorites, his performances always seem flawless, and hes so good that sometimes you forget he is acting. Whether he is God in bruce and Evan Almighty, Lucius Fox from batman Begins and The Dark Knight, or one of my personal favorites, Det William Somerset in Se7en, Morgan Freeman always reminds us what it means to be at the top of your game in the world of acting. Now for the other end of things. Tim Robbins, i must say i have never been a fan, whether its the annoying pitcher Nuke Laloosh in the baseball favorite Bull Durham, or the President of the United States in Austin Powers the spy who shagged me, his resume' is rather lacking, and even though sometimes you have to judge an actor not by the roles he plays, but how he plays them, there simply is something lacking in his overall list of accomplishments in the world of cinema. However, i must stick to this movie alone, and whether it was Tim Robbin's accomplishments as an actor or the amazing cast that was put around him, i cannot argue with the fact that his performance, never did anything to take away from the from the high quality of the film.
Visuals: 8/10
Visuals were probably the least important aspect of this film, as it was set in a prison setting, what kind of visual effects can you really expect? The movie was filmed in a no longer used state reformatory in ohio, and major renovations had to be made to make it look even presentable, but i am sure that is what the film makers were going for. The theme is dark and gloomy most of the film, and their surroundings support this feeling. Overall, the visuals of this film reached its incentive, which is all you can ask.
Sound: 10/10
Much like visuals, the sound, other than the words of the characters, weren't absolutely pertinent in this particular film. One scene in particular though, makes this category a must be 10/10. This scene is very popular, and is a perfect example where film can get so much feeling, and so much more into a movie without the actors having to say a word. The much talked about "record player" Scene, tells more about the prisoners feelings, hopes, dreams, and overall existence in the prison, that any words or "lines" could accomplish. This is why sometimes, the lack of a large set list or sound track doesn't necessarily mean a lack of important sound in a film. Without this scene, Shawshank Redemption doesn't stack up as high as it does today.
Overall Entertainment: 10/10
I am incapable of giving this film anything less than a 10/10 for overall entertainment. It has more than stood the test of time, this movie is shown over and over on TV and each time, no matter what, i can always stop and watch it in its entirety and never once become bored or distracted. I have always said, somewhat jokingly, but also truthfully, that if aliens visited earth, kidnapped me, and said "what is a movie" "show us" this is undoubtedly where i would begin. This is maybe one of 10 or so movies in history that i could say that EVERYONE needs to watch, whether you hate movies, whether you are a movie buff or someone who has no interest in cinema whatsoever, you need to sit down, watch this film, and ask yourself afterwards how do you feel. I can promise you, no one's views are ever the same after seeing this film for the first time. Do yourself a favor, watch the film, its that simple!
Total Chux Flix Rating: 90/100
Favorite trivia for this movie: The mugshots of a young-looking Morgan Freeman that are attached to his parole papers are actually pictures of Morgan's younger son, Alfonso Freeman. Alfonso also had a cameo in the movie as a con shouting "Fresh fish! Fresh fish today! We're reeling 'em in!"
Plot: 9/10
You don't get any better than the plot of Shawshank Redemption, it has everything you ever need in a flick. From the moment the opening credits roll, you are pulled in and trapped where you can't, nor want to, get out. The movie goes to great lengths to set up what leads to probably the greatest ending of any movie, yes that's right, its that good. Having an ending this amazing doesn't come by accident, the movie creators know the importance of "setting the table" for what eventually leaves people breathless, inspired, and simply put shocked all within the final 10 minutes or so of the film. Without the strong base plot and small yet important side stories, the ending would probably have fell flat, yet with every aspect of this plot being as strong as it is, the ending hits the home run that it needed to, making this one of the top 5 movies of all time in most people's views. Now i must explain why this plot did not deserve a 10/10 rating. I have watched another movie, "Escape from Alcatraz" with Clint Eastwood, this movie is eerily similar to ALOT of the plot lines and details, and it was released nearly 20 years earlier. This slightly takes away from the originality of Shawshank Redemption. Maybe its coincidence, maybe not, but i cannot help but think that at least some of the things that make this film great were "borrowed" from the Eastwood Classic.
Acting: 8/10
I am Sort of torn on this one, because i am sitting on both end of the spectrum, Morgan Freeman, to me, is one of the if not "the" greatest actors of all time. His work as "Red" has to be ranked up there as one of the all time greatest lead acting roles in cinema history. His Oscar win for this performance is considered by many, including me, a must see for any movie lover. This should run as no surprise though, Morgan Freeman has always been one of my favorites, his performances always seem flawless, and hes so good that sometimes you forget he is acting. Whether he is God in bruce and Evan Almighty, Lucius Fox from batman Begins and The Dark Knight, or one of my personal favorites, Det William Somerset in Se7en, Morgan Freeman always reminds us what it means to be at the top of your game in the world of acting. Now for the other end of things. Tim Robbins, i must say i have never been a fan, whether its the annoying pitcher Nuke Laloosh in the baseball favorite Bull Durham, or the President of the United States in Austin Powers the spy who shagged me, his resume' is rather lacking, and even though sometimes you have to judge an actor not by the roles he plays, but how he plays them, there simply is something lacking in his overall list of accomplishments in the world of cinema. However, i must stick to this movie alone, and whether it was Tim Robbin's accomplishments as an actor or the amazing cast that was put around him, i cannot argue with the fact that his performance, never did anything to take away from the from the high quality of the film.
Visuals: 8/10
Visuals were probably the least important aspect of this film, as it was set in a prison setting, what kind of visual effects can you really expect? The movie was filmed in a no longer used state reformatory in ohio, and major renovations had to be made to make it look even presentable, but i am sure that is what the film makers were going for. The theme is dark and gloomy most of the film, and their surroundings support this feeling. Overall, the visuals of this film reached its incentive, which is all you can ask.
Sound: 10/10
Much like visuals, the sound, other than the words of the characters, weren't absolutely pertinent in this particular film. One scene in particular though, makes this category a must be 10/10. This scene is very popular, and is a perfect example where film can get so much feeling, and so much more into a movie without the actors having to say a word. The much talked about "record player" Scene, tells more about the prisoners feelings, hopes, dreams, and overall existence in the prison, that any words or "lines" could accomplish. This is why sometimes, the lack of a large set list or sound track doesn't necessarily mean a lack of important sound in a film. Without this scene, Shawshank Redemption doesn't stack up as high as it does today.
Overall Entertainment: 10/10
I am incapable of giving this film anything less than a 10/10 for overall entertainment. It has more than stood the test of time, this movie is shown over and over on TV and each time, no matter what, i can always stop and watch it in its entirety and never once become bored or distracted. I have always said, somewhat jokingly, but also truthfully, that if aliens visited earth, kidnapped me, and said "what is a movie" "show us" this is undoubtedly where i would begin. This is maybe one of 10 or so movies in history that i could say that EVERYONE needs to watch, whether you hate movies, whether you are a movie buff or someone who has no interest in cinema whatsoever, you need to sit down, watch this film, and ask yourself afterwards how do you feel. I can promise you, no one's views are ever the same after seeing this film for the first time. Do yourself a favor, watch the film, its that simple!
Total Chux Flix Rating: 90/100
Favorite trivia for this movie: The mugshots of a young-looking Morgan Freeman that are attached to his parole papers are actually pictures of Morgan's younger son, Alfonso Freeman. Alfonso also had a cameo in the movie as a con shouting "Fresh fish! Fresh fish today! We're reeling 'em in!"
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