It's high adventures on the high seas with Captain Russell Crowe in Peter Weir's stunning Master and Commander, a throwback of sorts to the grand epics of yesteryear in which films didn't only look good, but were character-driven as well.

Amid all this visual splendor, Crowe plays the captain of a British ship during the Napoleonic Wars, a time when the sea was a battlefield and boys were forced to become men if they were to survive. The bulk of the story revolves around a cat and mouse chase between Crowe's ship and a bigger enemy ship manned by the French. Both captains attempt to outwit one another with various strategies that prove to be more than creative. Yes, a big portion of this movie is about the art of war.

Master and Commander managed to acquire the PG-13 rating, and while it does offer up a fair share of violence much of it is quite restrained or off screen. Clearly, there are moments where it appears that the movie was trimmed to avoid the R rating.

Crowe is solid as the noble captain, although his role here doesn't demand the sort of emotional depth of some of his better work (see Beautiful Mind or The Insider). Still, he is perfect in the lead, and plays this military man as human rather than superhuman. Paul Bettany is superb as the ship doctor and Crowe's good friend. The two generate real chemistry and the scenes they share together are the best moments the film offers--adding much to itís dramatic weight. Also adding to this is a terrific performance by young Max Pirkis, a boy that is clearly wise beyond his years.

As good as the acting is, this is really Peter Weir's show. He is a true craftsmen. Along with an outstanding technical team, Weir makes you feel isolated right along with the ship's crew, and you will feel the vastness of the open sea. The big, sweeping shots of these ships at sea are gorgeous, and you won't feel slighted like you might with a CGI-laden film. And as stunning as this picture looks, Weir never loses sight of character. While I never necessarily felt an emotional connection to this crew, there was definitely a strong camaraderie and respect for one another.

The screenplay by Peter Weir and John Collee is very literate, and while there are battles on display, this is not the action adventure you might be expecting. Master and Commander is far more about character than I was expecting, and it deftly displays the courage and chemistry this crew must establish with one another. Elements of it reminded me of Edward Zwick's Glory with it's depiction of men trying to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Even the stranger moments in this picture ring true--including a whole scenario in which the crew think one of their own is cursing the mission.

Master and Commander does falter occasionally. The climactic battle is exciting, but it ends with a rather obvious conclusion which I don't want to ruin for you. This is, however, a minor quibble for a beautiful film experience that is rich in character and absolutely breathtaking to look at.

Mr. Weir is one of those directors that isn't often mentioned in the same breath as other legendary film makers, but he should be. With movies like Dead Poet's Society, The Year of Living Dangerously, Witness, Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Mosquito Coast, Green Card, The Cars That Ate Paris, The Truman Show, Fearless, and now Master and Commander, he's built quite a strong and varied resume. Don't let the rather cumbersome title (one that sounds similar to that awful Freddie Prinze Jr. movie Winged Commander) sway you from seeing this gorgeous film.