Feeling guilty that I never had the chance to see it in theatres sixteen years when it was released, I had to wait until it was released on DVD before having the chance to see this gripping, but very emotionally charged film that is "The Perfect Storm". For a break from the monotony of giving away details I will without any spoilers, tell you all how I decided to watch this movie and how I'm recommending the movie community why this movie is something everyone should see this classic film. Before purchasing this movie, I kind of for a long time overlooked it and even ignored at the notion of watching this movie for the simple reason of not caring the least. I can't say I'm the biggest George Clooney aficionado, though he's a very talented performer and even Mark Wahlberg for that matter. Suffice to say these two performers are not in this movie for the girls to go gaga for. Their physical appearance is staggeringly quite scraggy and disheveled and very overwhelmingly worn out. On a plus side there is no Hollywood-like glorification in "The Perfect Storm." I was 15-years-old when "No-Name Storm" which was the name of "The Perfect Storm" was at the time came out back in October of 1991. At that age, weather was something that never crossed my mind. I vaguely remembered the events that happened 25 years ago except that there were three storms uniting within each other and that it was one of the scariest natural disasters in the East Coast I have ever witnessed. But there was more than just a nasty storm that erupted in the East Coast of North America than meets the eye. I didn't know that a ship was lost at sea in the midst of all this chaos. Then the book by Sebastian Junger came out and I neglected to read that as well. Then nine years later, the movie came into fruition, but the critics didn't have too much of a positive reception to it. Then after scurrying through the trailers, the documentaries and the making of the film, I was nevertheless curious to see what was the hype about this movie. I won't give away too many spoilers because we all know how a film like this will transpire. One thing for sure, the story's main focus isn't just circled around the fishing ship known as the Andrea Gail, but about an eager weather reporter who's enthusiastic to seeing the perfect storm materialize on his radar system, some subtle love subplots, another story about another ship that was saved, and the trials and tribulations the Navy encountered that led to the Andrea Gail being swallowed by the "perfect storm". For better understanding of the movie, I'd recommend you see the making of documentary. It was so inspiring that the crew went out of their way to film most of this movie off the coasts in Massachusetts. They even went as far to go in actual lobster and fishing boats and even took the occasional dip in eternally frozen waters to get the feeling of the cold and wetness of this awful storm. Clooney and Massachusetts' own Wahlberg got the chance to meet the locals there who have lost a family member/s who were on the Andrea Gail. It was cool that these families were portrayed in the movie and that the studio created special effects to make every scene all the more authentic. It shows that the crew were really doing their homework here. I suggest you all watch "The Perfect Storm." It's both technically done with no stone overturned and the the performances were very real and it shows how humans react when natural disasters hit close to home and where unity comes to life opposed to the divinity it is in our ordinary lives.

The disaster genre has not been successful in the past several years, rarely does a good, or at least memorable movie manage to squeeze out of the genre nowadays, The Impossible in 2012 for example. Every once in a while comes a surprise from this underused genre, this disaster drama directed by Wolfgang Peterson is one that graciously memorable and one that should still hold to this day. This movie set in the fall of 1991 tells the true story of Billy Tyne (played by George Clooney), a swordfisherman who leads his crew of fishermen on one last fishing expedition for the season across the Atlantic Ocean, despite the warnings of Captain Linda Greenlaw (played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) of a nasty hurricane approaching. As you may guess, what starts off as an enjoyable time of fish hunting and drinking becomes a terrifying fight for survival when the crew is caught into the powerful storm that puts their lives in serious peril. Highlighting a stellar cast aside Clooney of Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, William Fichtner, John Hawkes, Allen Payne, and Diane Lane; this movie pulls a truly terrifying experience sparkled with a great screenplay and credible performances.The title speaks well as this storm was called by meteorologists 'The Storm of The Century', and with the story dealing with such a devastating disaster; you should more than likely anticipate some emotional intensity to come. This is indeed, a really intense film that leaves your heart pounding and praying for the characters' survival, especially as this is a true story. Like many real-life based films, the accuracy of the events is subject for debate, but those who grow enticed by the moving story are likely to ignore the possible liberties this film takes. The characters are thinly developed but grow to be likable, even when they are shown to have rude sides such as the heated tension between John C. Reiley and William Fitchner. The performances by the cast are quite good, though none of them solidly stand out whether it is George Clooney stepping into the role of the well dedicated captain, or Mark Wahlberg playing a young rookie fisherman with a cautious girlfriend back at home played by Diane Lane . Nothing Oscar-worthy should be expected. The story moves at a decent pace and builds up to anticipated climax where the film reaches it's the highest point of it's emotional heft. The entire sequence of the violent storm are mightily brought to life by chilling special effects and dazzling visuals to embrace the authenticity, and leaves just enough room for an emotional impact to sink in as you fear for the characters' survival. The Perfect Storm does not sit on the throne of disaster movies, nor does it to. But it is a powerful film that is both entertaining and somewhat tear-jerking, and not in a manipulative manner. The cast performances are great, the screenplay works like a charm, and director Wolfgang Peterson does a gracious job on paying a tribute to the victims of the the disaster. The Perfect Storm is something worth watching.

This film, based on true events, tells the story of a swordfish fishing vessel who's caught in the middle of a colossal storm. It's a cinematic approach to the dangers of Grand Banks fishermen's face in real life. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, has screenplay by William D. Wittliff, based on the book by Sebastian Junger. The cast is headed by George Clooney (in the role of Billy Tyne, master of the fishing vessel) and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (in the role of Linda Greenlaw, captain of another ship), but also has other very talented actors like Bob Gunton, William Fichtner, John C. Reilly, Mark Wahlberg and Diane Lane.Since the beginning of time that the sailors and fishermen were subject to the dangers of sea and storms. This film talks about it, and a particular case that led to the loss of several lives when a storm of rare proportions explodes on the waters off of Gloucester, US. The script is well written and the story is touching. The sets and photography are blameless and the visual and sound effects are excellent, especially portraying the storm (indeed deserved the Oscar nomination precisely for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects). George Clooney was wonderfully in his role, giving him a huge personality, an old sailor soul who loves the sea, even with all the dangers of it. The cast, however, was all at a great level and manages to capture the sympathy of the audience, who suffers with them and go with them to the sea, eager to return to earth and get away from that cruel and rough waters.Although this movie has passed quietly and still be a film that is not much remembered, its an excellent disaster film (much better than others, showing disasters that never happen) that deals with facts that cost the lives of hundreds of fishermen and sailors every year. So, apart from a great movie, it's a beautiful tribute to these men and their families.

George Clooney was trying to shake off his Dr Doug Ross "ER" image and Mark Wahlberg was trying to shake off Marky Mark for good. As both give a strong performance with great support from character actors Michael Ironside, Dale Murphy, and a then unknown John C Reiley. Based on a fact based movie in which a 1991 New England ship got lost in the storm aka hence the title. As the crew led by George, as the crew is hard pressed for money. Despite fears of a thunderstorm, they reluctantly agree to go.Which will test them professional and personally. As they bond together despite their differences. But really it makes you think that it is real. You forget that they are actors.They are ordinary people that just want to make a living and put food on the table. As the storm nears, the men must lean on another to make it out. Easier said than done.George and Mark have since gone onto better and bigger things since this movie thirteen years ago!