Well, I can't believe five days have passed since the movie opened and nobody else has posted, so I guess I'll have to start it off.

The boys (hubby and 8-year-old son) and I had a fine time at the movie. I'm the one who's read the books, the others just keep hearing about them. I went in expecting to be reasonably entertained but to be disappointed with the Doctor's portrayal (given some others' previews and reviews), and I was pleasantly surprised. I'd say it was a good time all-round.

The only really bad review I've seen was in the Sunday 11/16 New York Times, by a reader who had lots of quibbles about emphasis on the wrong details and the historical improbability of the alternative plot that was devised for the movie. (The Times had a good review from someone else on Friday, as it happens.) I think that guy went in with expectations way to high. I went in assuming that the movie could never do justice to the depth of the books (they're just WAY too dense with detail), and came out feeling that they'd given it a good gloss, given the inherent limitations of the movie form.

So... what say you all?

~ Becky in Tucson

For future searchers purposes:
Master and Commander - the Far Side of the World
Patrick O'Brian