Colin Farrell Movie:

		List Price: $28.99		Label: New Line Home Video Salesrank: 4363 Released: September 8, 2009
		Our Price: $13.48
		Used Price: $12.99
		MPAA Rating: Unrated Media: Blu-ray

Editorial Review:
Powhatan tribal people stare in wonder as three ships approach shore. It’s a story every schoolchild knows. And as told by filmmaker Terrence Malick (Badlands, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line) in this Extended Cut with over 30 minutes of footage unseen in theaters, it’s a story you never imagined. Working in part from first-hand histories and adding his extraordinary sense of image and human drama, Malick crafts a spellbinding tale of the Jamestown settlement, of cultures connecting and of deadly consequences when connections fray. Capt. John Smith (Colin Farrell), Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher), John Rolfe (Christian Bale): you know the names. But you could never experience the visceral power of the stories behind those names until now.

Description of The New World (The Extended Cut) [Blu-ray]:
The legend of Pocahontas and John Smith receives a luminous and essential retelling by maverick filmmaker Terrence Malick. The facts of Virginia's first white settlers, circa 1607, have been told for eons and fortified by Disney's animated films: explorer Smith (Colin Farrell) and the Native American princess (newcomer Q'orianka Kilcher) bond when the two cultures meet, a flashpoint of curiosity and war lapping interchangeably at the shores of the new continent. Malick, who took a twenty year break between his second and third films (Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line), is a master of film poetry; the film washes over you, with minimal dialogue (you see characters speak on camera for less than a quarter of the film). The rest of the words are a stream-of-consciousness narration--a technique Malick has used before but never to such degree, creating a movie you feel more than watch. The film's beauty (shot in Virginia by Emmanuel Lubezki) and production design (by Jack Fisk) seems very organic, and in fact, organic is a great label for the movie as a whole, from the dreadful conditions of early Jamestown (it makes you wonder why Englishman would want to live there) to the luminescent love story. Malick is blessed with a cast that includes Wes Studi, August Schellenberg, Christopher Plummer, and Christian Bale (who, curiously, was also in the Disney production). Fourteen-year-old Kilcher, the soul of the film, is an amazing find, and Farrell, so often tagged as the next big thing, delivers his first exceptional performance since his stunning debut in Tigerland. James Horner provides a fine score, but is overshadowed by a Mozart concerto and a recurring prelude from Wagner's Das Rheingold, a scrumptious weaving of horns fit to fuel the gentle intoxication of this film. Note: the film was initially 150 minutes, and then trimmed to 135 by Malick before the regular theatrical run. It was also the first film shot in 65mm since Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet. --Doug Thomas

The New World (The Extended Cut) [Blu-ray] Reviews:
The New World
2009-12-14 - History provides many stories that are worth putting onto the silver screen. It's too bad the writers and producers don't read it first. This movie has an interesting premise, it depicts the first settlement in English America that took hold, Jamestown. That story is one of tragedy, perseverence, and ultimately triumph. Along the way there was death, violence, and human drama, all of which Hollywood thrives upon. But this movie is choppy with little continuity between scenes. The actors do a good enough job to convey the story but they are in an endless morass of incomplete scenes and poorly edited material.

John Smith and Pocahontas did much to assure the survival of the Jamestown colony. Even so, by the end of the first full year the colonists were on the verge of giving up. Had it not been for the relief ship's arrival, the colony may well have been abandoned. Over time the tobacco culture gradually emerged to give the colony its life blood. Here is where men like John Rolfe were essential. But in the meantime, colonists died in droves because of the lack of survival skills and the lack of structure to the colony's governing system. The gentlemen did not want to work, thinking such labor was beneath their status. The laborers were sold on the notion that gold would be readily available so none were inclined to till the soil.

All of these elements are true to the real Jamestown but are only superficially touched on in this film. It is true that Pocahontas journied to London where she later died, but even this scene is treated with little emotion in the film. The final scene has John Rolfe preparing to return to Virginia, again, with no emotion or determination to succeed inspite of his recent loss. In a way, the New World is little different from Disney's Pocahontas, in that neither really gives the viewer any real lesson in American history even though the script from the real world experiences was already written.

"I will find joy in all I see . . ."
2009-11-28 - Terrence Malick is known for creating very a different sort of cinematic art. Like the late Stanley Kubrick, he moves away from standard Hollywood material, and creates a style of his own. What we see in his films are brief narratives by different characters, beautiful shots of natural scenery, and some moments that place no insight on sound (we just see the beauty of the surroundings, and the only sound we hear is either the breeze or distant animals). If you've seen The Thin Red Line (one of my favorite films), then you know what I'm talking about. Like his other films, this one delves into the meaning of life, love, war, hate, violence, etc. But now, in the new millennium, we have seen something different from Malick. The New World is yet another beautiful film by the master filmmaker, and like his other films, it relies on history when telling the story. Here we have the creation of Jamestown, Virginia, and the bond between John Smith and Pocahontas. While it isn't entirely historically accurate, it does borrow certain elements from popular American folklore respectively.

It's 1607, and the English set out to found the land of North America. After setting foot on the land, Captain John Smith is captured by a tribe of Native Americans, and is about to be executed. However, one of the young women wants him alive, and he is now considered a prisoner. The woman turns out to be Pocahontas, and she and Smith fall in love. This rather complicates matters between the English and the Native Americans, and what follows is a breathtaking movement of beauty, mysticism, and new discoveries about life.

Almost everything is what you would expect in a Malick film. Nature shots, voice-overs, philosophical implications, the works. From beginning to end, it is more of a spiritual experience rather than an entertaining one. But this probably wouldn't have fully succeeded if it weren't for the outstanding cast. Colin Farrell, Q'Orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, and Wes Studi make an interesting combination. Their performances are absolutely stunning (there is no melodrama in the way they interact with each other). Cinematography from Emmanuel Lubezki is really a sight to see: the dark colors really add to the mystical atmosphere that is conveyed through this film. I wish I would say something special about James Horner's music, but most of it had been cut out and replaced by classical music. I guess I could say that Mozart's Piano Concerto and Wagner's Das Rheingold were unexpected but nonetheless pleasurable additions to the soundtrack.

It's pretty obvious that this movie is not for everyone. Anyone who is looking for an exciting film might want to look elsewhere. This is a slow-moving, yet hauntingly effective motion picture which lacks nonstop action, witty dialogue, and softcore sex. I personally have come to admire it, despite the last thirty minutes of the film being a bit plodding at times. It's as great as The Thin Red Line, and I would happily recommend it to those who love to see some fine cinematic art.

Grade: A-

P.S.
People say that the extended cut is much better than the original 135-minute cut. If that's the case, then I might as well watch it and see for myself. Stay tuned.

Embracing the New World
2009-11-19 - Terence Malick (Thin Red Line) directs this film about the meeting of two worlds. English explorer's land on the west coast of North America, near what today is Virginia, and build a settlement named Jamestown. They encounter the Naturals, as Captain John smith (Colin Farrell) calls the indigenous Indian population. Initially there is a uneasy period as the two cultures get acquainted. John Smith takes a small party up river to meet the Naturals. As is often the case with Malick's films nature is brought to the forefront. The inland landscape is like a confusing labyrinth that overwhelms the explorers. John Smith loses his comrades when they go off exploring in the marshes. Like a large spider's web, the natural world traps the men. This is a beautiful, but dangerous world that the Europeans have not yet tamed. The Naturals have learned to live within the landscape. Like a spider that is shown making its way over a tree trunk the Naturals have found a way to coexist with nature, but for the Europeans this is not the case as their situation deteriorates.

John Smith is captured by the Naturals and has his life spared by Pocahontas (Q'Orianka Kilcher). He lives amongst the Naturals for a time, learning their ways. A romance develops between Smith and Pocahontas, but once the Naturals realize that the Europeans intend to stay the Naturals are determined to chase them away and attack the settlers. Nothing is resolved, but many die on both sides. Eventually John Smith leaves the settlement and heads north leaving the Princess behind. The film beautifully unfolds as each new chapter reveals itself. The broken hearted Pocahontas eventually meets another European John Rolfe (Christian Bale) who she marries. Locations are then switched as Pocahontas sails to England with her European husband. She sees the Old World with its tall buildings and manicured gardens, and sheds her familiar clothing for that of the city dwellers. In this world we see nature as having been tamed by mankind. The trees are sculptured and ordered into distinct rows and patterns.

When Pocahontas again meets up with John Smith, it is a meeting of the old memories with the new. "The New World" reflects on the notion of change. Pocahontas is the free spirit that embraces and loves the world that she lives in. She's also the one that bridges the gap between the Naturals and the Europeans. This movie is a meditation about embracing life and all that it has to offer, and we experience this love of life through the exuberance of Pocahontas. Sit back and enjoy this luxurious film that passes over one like a breeze in the forest.

P.S. This is one of the best looking, and sounding, blu-rays I have seen. Truly beautiful!

Excellent Extension to the Original!
2009-11-18 - I'm not going to review the plot or the synopsis or The New World as a movie, because there are other reviews for that. I clearly enjoyed the movie and I won't argue with those who didn't. I'm simply going to review the Blu-ray quality and the extension to the original.

VIDEO (5/5)
Five stars on the video, out of five. The picture is absolutely incredible. With the Oscar nomination for cinematography, the film being shot on film (no special effects or CGI work), Terrence Malick's choice of not using any artificial lighting, and more, the video couldn't be better. I have used this Blu-ray edition alone to find the perfect HDTV for my grandparents in the last couple of weeks. Having the Danny Boyle's recent sci-fi movie, Sunshine, on Blu-ray as well (it's known for its incredible picture quality), this movie was the victor. The picture is as real and as pure as it gets. I can't say that enough. When viewing on an HDTV, these huge wide shots really make you feel like you're there. The sunsets are colorful and enormous. Each blade of grass, every bead of sweat, and even subtle facial expressions can be seen. I even noticed something I never had--some small drops of dew, a gentle drizzle of rain, pilgrims working in the distance on some side shots, etc. This edition has the most pristine picture out of an Blu-ray I have seen yet. The sharpness and lighting and quality... just brilliant!

AUDIO (4/5)
This edition should ONLY be played on surround sound. Listening to this on our TV's speakers was just terrible. This movie has an immense amount of sound. The cellos and basses from Wagner's Vorspiel, the rush of the river and streams, the rocking of the wood on ships, subtle whispers from Pocahontas's narration. There are so many different, lush sounds in this movie that having them projected from just two speakers creates an overload. And that's undesirable overload where certain things that need to be heard aren't. Audio gets a (4/5) because the Blu-ray lacked audio options (English only, English & Spanish subtitles, 5.1 only).

FEATURES (N/A)
This edition is lacking any additional features from the DVD.

EXTENSION (5/5)
Wonderful extension! The scenes are scattered throughout the film in a very balanced manner. We start to see them immediately in longer underwater shots at the beginning of the film. Most notably are the addition of scenes (complete scenes, not just longer shots) we had never seen before. I won't spoil the movie, but the extensions are great and give a deeper look inside Smith and Pocahontas's relationship. They are also placed in other areas of the film, not necessarily to show us something we were missing, but to throw us into the film, to give it life. I found the additional scenes wonderful, giving time to where the previous edition seemed to rush through. When Smith is sent back to Jamestown, for instance, we feel as he did. We had nearly forgotten about them and were desperate to get back. There is even some more narration that gives us some characterizing thoughts from the characters.

This is the best Blu-ray currently in my collection.
The video is, dare I say, perfect. Seriously, play this Blu-ray edition next to another Blu-ray and you will be blown away at how great the picture is on this. I would suggest you buy. Quick shipment from Amazon and wonderful price. Best Buy had this for $40.

A great movie, but definitely not for all movie fans
2009-10-25 - This movie will need more than one viewing to grasp and follow the storyline, catch the dialog and the meaning behind the very few and far between spoken lines. And this is not a movie for every movie fan, or even for fans of Colin Farrell.

That said, once again I am intrigued and impressed by how good Colin Farrell is at what he does - acting/performing. As I said in a previous review of another movie, he has, for me, a truly beautiful voice and that makes listening to the narration (or poetry reading as another reviewer called it) which covers most of the movie, easy. His Irish accent, which is more prominent in this movie than some of the others I've watched, had me rewind scenes a couple of times. Having lived in America for the last eleven years, my ears are no longer as good or quick with translating Irish and Scottish accents into understandable English, so I will re-watch this movie a couple of times to get back into that translation groove.

The facial expression and actions of the characters throughout must be watched as that forms the basis of most of the storyline. Here both Colin Farrell, and the newly introduced actress, Q'orianka Kilcher, played excellently. This applies to most all the other actors in them movie. Christian Bale is still a gorgeous guy, and good actor, fitting well into the role of the English gentleman.

It is a slow movie, granted, and there were times when I wished some of the scenery shots were cut, such as the first tour up the river, but when you think about it, it is during those that a lot of story is spoken/told.

All in all I enjoyed the movie, but recommend it only to those who can sit quietly for about two and a half hours and enjoy walking through a historic tale, told slowly, and brought to life on the big screen with a lot of scenery shots, skimpy in the way of character dialog - long stretches of no dialog or narration, a story told through body language and emotion, with gestures and expressions taking the place of dialog.

It is a good quality movie, with good performances by the actors, but definitely not for everyone.