Genres

Visitors Review

2013-05-19 20:52:22

An enjoyable family film

This review is from: The Adventures of Huck Finn (DVD) I loved this film since the first time I saw it at 15 yrs old. I was reading the book at the time in school and eventhough this is missing a lot from the book it's still really entertaining. Elijah Wood and Courtney B. Vance are fantastic as Huck and Jim. This is most likely the role that got Wood casted as Frodo in Lord of the Rings as he shows that he's truly a gifted young actor. It's great to see that he has lasted so long too, I hope he's around long after the Lord of the Rings trilogy . I glad that this film is finally coming out on DVD but I wish it would offer a lot more features as it looks like there's not much at all.

2013-05-19 09:33:29

Elijah Wood - A Perfect Huck Finn

This review is from: The Adventures of Huck Finn (DVD) From the first opening Clemensian Voice Over and the whimsical fight scene, Huck Finn brims with authenticity and focus. Sure, we've read the book and seen the many movie versions. But this one stands tall and comes to grips with Twain's not-so-juvenile hero as he grows along the river of life. Great allegory sublimates its symbols, so you take it like heroin, directly in the vein. And so it is with this film with a strong crop of performances and a sterling rendition by its star, Elijah Wood.The spirit of any great literary masterpiece translated to film is not the details a la BBC and Masterpiece Theater, but the distillation of ideas and moods into enduring messages and iconic scenes. Huck Finn is Elijah Wood's first foray into the literary character venue, a venue that would eventually lead him to Frodo Baggins. He does not approach the role as "the lost child on the river," but as a growing cock-sure adolescent, more adult and intelligent for his age and station. His performance is rock solid, never flagging. He provides a variety of moods and is always maintaining a consistent arc with the material. No empty headed river rat here.Courtney Vance teams with Wood to make a most Twainly Jim. Jim is not the typical slave-he's literary and allegorical. His pain is real, but never obfuscating the themes of the novel; and so it blossoms in the film. Jason Robards Jr and Robbie Coltrane impress as the infamous scoundrels that represent American hypocrisy, while Ron Perlman charges the role as Papp Finn with rugged villainy emblazoned on the ass of white river trash. Anne Heche subtly wisps through as Mary Jane Wilks. But it is Elijah Wood that naturally carries the film. Twain would have been proud to see his creation in the hands of this veteran actor.Huck Finn keeps us laughing, almost weeping and gets us to think about the same things the original work got America to think about-so, much so as to get the book banned throughout the South. People "be a-feared `bout der truth!" But still, the truth is delivered through the antics and wisdom of a babe who finds his own faults forgiving and the world's most tolerable if taken with a "stretcher" or two. To this reviewer, Elijah Wood's portrayal of Huck Finn is definitive and this version of the novel, then in its centenary, is destined to become a classic. A+

2013-05-16 21:40:44

Good Business

This review is from: The Adventures of Huck Finn (DVD) If this is for the movie I purchased. Its one of the best family, down home, good movie. Today there is too much of the "sex sells" thing going on & promoting it. Wonder why there are so many teen pregnency's.For the seller: Great, fast sevice. I got exactly what they said I would, and sooner than expected. Can't ask for more. Thanks!

2013-05-16 15:34:19

wonderful, wonderful movie

this film has heart. elijah wood is a beautiful actor. his emotions, facial features, movements, etc. all complement huck finn perfectly as that loveable, huggable mischief-maker all america knows and loves. some of twain's original storytelling has been deleted or enhanced, but overall, it improves the emotional effects of the movie. huck finn's character, i.e., is more playful than satirical, but he comes off better that way--wholesome, sweet, and the best little brother the mississippi ever had. wood truly brings life to this movie. his portrayal is brilliant. long live huck finn in the ages!vance is also a wonderful actor for the character of jim. compassionate, noble, caring...everything jim can be and more. i love how one simple facial expression can expose layers of underlying feeling. i love this actor. he definitely deserves more credit than what he's been given.

2013-05-15 09:58:33

Twain's message is lost in the Sea of Entertainment.

Mark Twain did not write The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to entertain. Despite its reputation as a lighthearted children's story, it carries the weight of a past America and her problems that one man desired to change. Using a young boy as a vehicle, Twain carefully crafted each word with a specific purpose. When Hollywood took hold of the story, it melted all detail and purposeful views of the book into a consumerist, moneymaking expenditure. Clearly, the film adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is not successful in communicating all of the thematic elements of the book. Through a non-existent first person point-of-view and an extremely corrupted plot, the film loses all sense of novelty and naïve expression that Mark Twain efficiently uses to create the timeless adventure and so cleverly address the social and moral conflicts that are present in the novel. First of all, this lack of a complete first person point-of-view and thirst to entertain without following the book leads the movie to a place where there is no mystery or adventure. In the film, there is nothing withheld from viewers. We act as a third party and simply watch what Huck goes through. This is most apparent on the subject of Huck's father. In the book, we only know what Huck knows, which is that Jim will not let him see the body in the flooded house along the river. In the movie, we blatantly see Huck's dead father on the sinking ship as Jim sees him, which leads to no shocking reveal at the end of the movie. Also, as viewers, we do not read Huck's constant thought process, which is one of the most intriguing elements of the novel. There is no suspense in wondering what Huck will do, so we mindlessly watch as the movie progresses. These changes take away from the adventure of the movie, and while Mark Twain's sole purpose of the book was not to write a pure adventure, the invigorating mystery and adventure in the book draws readers deeper into the story, and therefore more vulnerable to the views Twain presents. This passive way of viewing the story destroys any personal connection brought about by the book. Even the most subtle plot changes degrade the books ability to cause a reader to feel for Huck and the conflicts he goes through along the journey. With quick transitions and shortened dialogue in the movie, there is no time to lose ourselves in truth of the story and no need for reflection. The film hands all "important" aspects of the story to the movie viewer on a silver platter, and perhaps Hollywood did not even mean for one to digest it, but only consume. With Huck as narrator of the book, Twain expects us to use our own experiences and imagination to connect with the story and realize the importance of it all. Twain wants us to examine morality through Huck. We can examine this in the book when Twain turns Huck into a real caring person, which differs from his role as a complete rapscallion in the movie. As the chaos of the Wilks brother scandal winds down, Huck confronts Mary Jane and reflects on when he saw her crying. He writes, and then thinks to himself: "...I was mighty sorry for you Miss Mary Jane. It made my eyes water a little..." (Twain 204). It shows that Huck truly is a different person than the rascal he claims to be, due to his caring for Mary Jane, and even Aunt Sally towards the end of the book. We lose this sense of truth in Huck in the movie as it aims to quickly move the action along, and we see Huck comfort no one. This absence of introspective sentiment in Huck's movie personality provides no ground for a viewer to attach to Huck and truly examine his thoughts and way of viewing the world. Lastly, because the movie does not use Huck's exclusive point-of-view, we do not receive Twain's messages that address the social issues he desired to change. In the movie, there is no substance to Huck's character that causes us to study, or even hear, his naïve, yet insightful comments on the subjects of slavery, lying, thievery, and feuds. Despite their absolute importance, the film cuts or drastically shortens certain moral situations, such as when Huck is trying to decide if he should turn Jim in or not. In the book, Huck states something that does not appear in the movie. When he decides to never turn Jim in and free him, Huck says, "All right, then, I'll go to hell" (Twain 228). This is a profound and revealing statement. We see that Twain thinks that the culture affects Huck, so he believes that slavery is a good thing and to free a slave is a sin. The quote is a sort of conviction in that it makes it seem rather ridiculous to expect hell for helping someone. Simple statements like these that Twain makes through Huck are key elements in the book. They are the purpose of Twain's writing. When the movie strips Huck (and the viewers) of these thought-provoking morsels, the story loses its drive and purpose that Mark Twain worked so hard to create. The film adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn does not include the same plot as the book, or the dynamic and controlling first person point-of-view, which results in a lack of unforgettable adventure and deep revelations dealing with moral and social conflicts. Mark Twain meant for this story to shake America, connect with her people, and change her issues. The film does not accomplish any of his revolutionary dreams. Created with the purpose of making money, there is no substance to make viewers feel or reflect on their beliefs. Mark Twain's writing is much more potent, and does cause at least some deep reflection. Most authors write literature to make people think. Hollywood, it seems, is not able to do the same.

2013-05-15 01:48:13

a wonderful adventure

a wonderful adventure 2 thumbs up

cant0319 2013-05-13 22:07:28

Great Adventure Tail

A Mark Twain classic novel Huck Finn turned into a Disney phenomenon.This is a 1993 remake Disney movie that took place in a fictional townof St. Petersburg. Elijah Wood played the lead role of Huck Finn; hisrunaway slave best friend was played by Courtney Vance. Was a greatadventure movie that the whole family would enjoy to watch.Basically Huck Finn is a young boy that is very good at lying and isnot only sneaky but very smart. His runaway best friend slave Jim wenton a huge adventure with Huck going places they never thought theywould end up, when I say that I mean they had a certain place theywanted to end up so Jim could be a free man but along the way they gotin a lot of trouble and always found ways to escape. Eventually theyreach a small town right out of St. Petersburg where they get in themost trouble they get in throughout the movie, but there arehilariously funny parts throughout this town that they go through.One key aspect of filmmaking from this movie that I want to aim towardsis acting. Elijah Wood the star actor plays as the lead role of HuckFinn and he does a phenomenal job of being a sneaky, fantastic, mature,little liar. They did a great job by picking him to play that role.There isn't a specific event from the movie I'm aiming towards, justthroughout this film he constantly had to lie to keep him and Jim outof trouble. Not to say Courtney Vance didn't do a fantastic job playingJim the runaway slave. All and all they both did an amazing job playingtheir roles though the movie.Another aspect of filmmaking for this movie would be the writers orcreators of the movie Huck Finn. They did an amazing job writing thismovie. It had such a great story line, it had me up on the edge of myseat at times, and other times I would be laughing hysterically. Youcould tell it took some time to put this movie together, it has such awide variety of viewers ageing anywhere from a baby to an old man. Thismovie would be a great sit down with the family and even Dad would havea great time watching it.This Disney remake had to have been one of my favorite Disney movies ofall times. Just to see a little boy who could do or act as Huck Finnwas a pleasure to watch. In my point of view I would give this movie a5 out of 5 popcorn bags. I would give a lot of credit to the actorsthat did a great job, the writers or creators of the movie, and thedirector they all did such a great role in and out of the movie. To saythe least if you haven't seen this movie it would be a great idea towatch it ASAP!

2013-05-13 08:21:17

The Adventures of Huck Finn

This review is from: The Adventures of Huck Finn (DVD) I bought this movie for my daughter and it was full of scratches and the movie would freeze every couple minutes. Very disappointing.

2013-05-12 02:05:41

Fun and Delightful!!

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen!! It is filled with exctiement and adventure. It makes you wish that the movie would never end. Wheather you're a boy or girl, young or old, I know that you would love this movie!!! Guarenteed laughs, and at the edge of your seat suspence!

2013-05-11 16:51:15

Hott as Fire!!

Everybody reading this interview should(if not already done...) should go to the nearest blockbuster or hollywood video, and have an Elijah Wood marathon. He is the most amazing actor I have ever seen ... o-m-g even in The Lord of the Rings that was the most amazing movie I have evr seen... even after reading the books!! So if you don't believe then you can just stay at home watching re-runs of the Brady Bunch and before they were Rockstars,but take my advice... You wont be sorry!!! P.S. He is soooooooo totally a hotty 2!!!

2013-05-08 21:10:34

Adaption

The adaption from the film and the novel of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is weak. There were similarities, but with that is differences, and the king and the duke were completely different. First,there were some similarities between the novel and the film. One thing that is similar is is how Huck fakes his death. The fake murder is very well planned and executed. Then, Huck got caught lying in town when he was pretending to be a girl. He gave himself away when he forgot the name he told the women. Another thing that he did to show he was lying is how he threw and caught. Last, the setting was the same. The novel and the film were both placed on the Mississippi River. Next, there are multiply differences between both versions of Huck Finn. One difference is the appearance of Jim. In the book, Jim is a dirty slave, and the movie has him as a clean man with a pierced ear. Then, when we fin out that Huck's father is dead is different. The old steam boat was different with how it is handled. In the novel, Huck fleas and finds help. While in the movie, Huck stays and witness' what is happening. Last, the king and the duke are completely different between the two versions. In the novel, the king and the duke go town to town scamming people with short skits. They were upsetting towns then being run out of the town. In the movie, they did not scam any towns. It was a complete contrast to the novel. In conclusion, The adaption of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is weak. There were similarities, but there were differences. The king and the duke are completely different from the novel to the movie.

2013-05-08 02:29:25

Don't Worry, Just Buy It -- You'll Love It

What a great movie! Good for adults and older kids (maybe 8 years old+). Script is well written, based on Twain's novel. Character portrayal draws you into the movie, and then the film is just the right length -- I've really enjoyed it every time I've seen it. Somewhat serious, but with nice characters and relaxing humor so it's very enjoyable. Also a more accurate representation of slavery, too, so kids pick up some good horizon-expanding. Some parents might want to watch with their children for a couple of scenes -- one is with "Pap" toward the beginning when he's drunk, and another almost at the end, when the climax hits while Huck is trying to escape with Jim.

2013-05-06 16:26:23

Loved the book

This review is from: The Adventures of Huck Finn (DVD) I loved reading this book as a teen and thoroughly enjoed watching this DVD. It follows the book very closely. I highly recond it if you have read the book.

2013-05-06 07:17:57

great movie

This review is from: The Adventures Of Huck Finn (Amazon Instant Video) great and funny movie, I loved the book as a kid and read it to my class(I'm a teacher) thought it was very good and funny

2013-05-06 13:01:30

One of the Greatest movies ever made!!!

Elijah Wood plays Huckleberry Finn, a young boy growing up in the pre-Civil War South. Huck's father is a drunken troublemaker, and is rarely around. The boy has been taken in by two kindly old women who are trying their best to civilize him, but aren't having an easy time of it. Huck lives for freedom and adventure, and the river is constantly calling his name. His best friend is a slave named Jim (Courtney B. Vance), and the two look out for each other, more-so with every passing day. When Huck's father Pap returns for the boy one night, having heard that he's inherited a nice some of money (for those days), the boy is desperate to escape. Trapped and left alone the next day in his father's run-down cabin, Huck escapes and fakes his own "murder." He takes a boat to Jackson's Island, where no one lives and hardly anyone visits, and there he runs into his old friend Jim! The two best friends go swimming, fishing, and have a generally great time, when Jim tells Huck that he's run away and is planning to head down river and then up to the free states. After a personal struggle with the idea of playing abolitionist, a dangerous thing to do, Huck agrees to help his friend escape slavery. The two soon find themselves heading down the river, but at a faster pace than they had expected. They have discovered that Jim is wanted not only for being a runaway, but also for being Huck's "murderer." Huck and Jim have several interesting experiences throughout their journey, including getting mixed up in a tragic family feud, nearly getting caught several times, and teaming up with a pair of con artists known as the King and the Duke (played wonderfully by Jason Robards and Robbie Coltrane). It's here where they meet three lovely sisters (Anne Heche, Laura Bundy, and a young, and very cute Renee O'Connor) and decide to help the girls at their own risk, rather than go on with the cruel scam they were being forced to act out by the two conmen. I'm soooo happy this wonderful film has come to DVD. This is a perfect film in so many respects. The casting is perfect, the camera work is gorgeous, and the spirit of adventure, friendship, drama, and fun is portrayed perfectly in every scene. True, this is not very similar to the book, Tom Sawyer isn't even mentioned. For a perfect interpretation of the book in the form of a wonderful film you need to get the version starring Patrick Day, which is only on VHS right now as far as I know. You'll want to get the 2 tape version if you can find it, rather than the edited 1 tape version. But while I love the Patrick Day version, this one is by far my favorite. It captures everything I feel a Huck film should, in a shorter, more exciting and to the point story than the book tells. True, it's been Disney-fied, but being a Disney fanatic, I don't mind at all. My feeling is they usually improve the stories they take on. This film is loaded with adventure and friendship, which is the main reason I'm such a Tom and Huck fan, and Elijah Wood really shines in the starring role. His chemistry with Courtney B. Vance is perfect! I had nearly worn my VHS out by the time this film came to DVD. The extras are nice, but there aren't THAT many. It could have delivered more in that department. But remember that this is a Disney DVD, and one they seem to have given low priority, so I'm just glad it's been released on DVD and has any extras at all. My favorite film of all time, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, was given zero extras, and Hocus Pocus, another fave, also had none if I recall correctly. Anyway, I definitely recommend this film for families, Tom and Huck fans, and just pretty much everybody! It's a perfect movie for a rainy Saturday night, baking something sweet and cuddling with someone special.

2013-05-05 23:40:31

To the point, but has flaws.

In this movie version of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", the tale, as in the book, is seen through the eyes of Huck. It takes you through most of the major events that Twain wrote about with slight accuracy and changed details. For a disney movie, it's understandable that racist topics or violent matters would be cut out but overall it is ok in its equivelancy to the book. I would not recommend this movie to someone who hasn't read the book, major buzz kill. Instead, I would advise anybody seeking clarity in the the vision of the story or to kids who don't know much about past history and how life was. I give this movie three stars for its low accuracy and wouldn't recommend any of my friends to watch it.

2013-05-05 10:27:49

A Great Action And Adventure Film!

This movie was so cool. I know, I know, it may not follow completely along with the book, but movies never completely follow along with the book, so that doesn't make the movie bad-does it? I actually liked the movie better then the book-the book was boring, but the movie was really exciting. The movie brings the book to life. I think I liked "The Adventure of Huck Finn" better then "Tom And Huck"...well, actually...both movies were really great-but I guess I just liked "The Adventures of Huck Finn" better 'cause that b*tch, JTT, wasn't in it and I like Elijah Wood much better then JTT! Of course, then again I do also like Brad Renfro...but that's getting off the subject. So, my advice? Go out and rent "The Adventures of Huck Finn" and you'll find a cute and talented guy (Elijah Wood) at one of his best. Also, rent "Tom And Huck" and borrow the books "The Adventures of Huck Finn" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" at your local library and you can have a Mark Twain Party! He-he-he!

hami6088-377-620777 2013-05-05 05:34:28

tims review

The Adventures of Huck Finn This is another adaptation of Mark Twain'stimeless classic "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". This movie wascreated in 1993 and the setting is at a stretch the Mississippi river.Mark twain picked that setting because he lived in Missouri which areclose by each other. It was easy for him to show the region as a wholefrom their dialect to how they dressed. This all played a big part inmaking it such a good story because of how it was realistic to the timeperiod and the even the setting. Huckleberry Finn (Elijah Wood) isabout a young boy who tries to do the right thing when most peopledidn't agree. He frees a slave named Jim Courtney B Vance. Huck has alot of conflict with society and himself and just conflicts withinhimself. Such as when they are trying to follow through with Jim's planto free himself and his family. Huck tries to "ask for directions" andinstead of turning him in as Huck originally planned he thinks aboutJim and how he really just wants to be with his family. This was hardfor him to relate to because he is a son of a drunk Pap Finn (RonPearlman) who tries to kidnap his son and actually almost kills himwhile in a drunken rage. Huck seems to run into a lot of people whoaren't really good influences throughout the whole movie such as thecon men they meet in a town. The con men blackmail Huck and Jim byfinding out about the wanted posters for Jim. They end up joining a conon a family to try to get money they would have inherited from a deathbut Huck foils it for them in the end. The story has many twists andturns and always keeps you guessing. Also with the realism that isportrayed in this movie such as Huck being a young abolitionist and theregional color in it just adds to the realistic feeling of it all. Oneof the most important things about a adult book that is turned into achildren's film in the film making process is portraying the bookwithout taking out a lot of the book. I think they did an okay job inchanging it into a film. Some of the biggest problems was it took out alot of characters that explain why Huck did some of the things he didlike in the book I know Tom Sawyer influences him a great deal but yetthey didn't mention Tom Sawyer once throughout the whole film which Ithink took away a lot for people who read "The Adventures of TomSawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Aside from somecharacters missing and important parts they did take out little thingsfrom the book to make it appropriate for children by taking out some ofthe vulgar and dirty language. You could see a lot of points the storywas making especially doing the right thing isn't always what everyoneelse thinks is right. Realism is the writing style that was used whenthis book was written and I think was really shown in the film too.They showed the regional color extremely well with their dialect andparticularly in the movie their clothes. Mark Twain showed color sowell because he lived there, his dialect and the way people actedtowards things like slavery. Throughout the book it had events thatwere with the time period like slavery and how there wereabolitionists. Even it showed how the slaves were treated poorly bymost and even got separated from their families. He even shows howgreat of a difference it was between people who supported slavery andthe few that were against it. The movie doesn't show as much realismbecause it's censored for children so you lose some of the effect. Lastbut not least I rate this movie 3 stars for people who haven't read thebook and 1 star for people who have. The difference between the ratingsis because if you have read the book you will be missing so much of thestory that you hate it and the way you imagined the characters could beportrayed differently in the movie. This movie wasn't a bad movie to meI liked it a little at times I felt confused because I haven't read thebook but overall the movie had a good story. The theme of the storyadds to the movie greatly and really makes you feel sorry for slavesand you realize that some people just didn't know any better. I thinkthe censorship took away from the movie a little and it would have beenbetter if it was created in to an adult movie.

2013-05-02 16:21:32

My Favorite family film

A great performance by Elijah Wood. Get the DVD, and enjoy the extras, especially the AUDIO COMMENTARY.

Terry Boone 2013-05-01 20:39:37

Elijah did a good job

This film, "The Adventures of Huck Finn," comes from the novel with thesame name. It stars Elijah Wood as Huck, and Courtney B. Vance as Jim.Whether it's on a raft or in town running from trouble, there is alwaysadventure happening in this movie.Huck was a boy in the 40's who ran away. He meets Jim (a runaway slave)and goes down the Mississippi River with him. Along the way, they runinto the King & Duke. They change the direction of the story, but leadsHuck to realize right from wrong. He's faced with a moral dilemmabetween what is seen as right and what is truly right.Elijah Wood was a great role for Huck. Or rather, vice versa. He wasvery good at mimicking us Missourian's, for that is just how everyonesounds here. Joking aside, he captured the character similar to what Iwould have imagined. He could have done his accent better, that theonly criticism I have.The King and Duke weren't very believable characters. They both seemedoverly dramatic in every scene they appeared in. Always getting clearlyscared trying to hold a poker face. Words cannot explain the awfulthings I saw from them.That being said, it wasn't a horrible movie, I suppose. I would givethe movie 3 out of 5 stars. It was good, not great.