One of the finest movies in a long time.

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2008)

"Dear Mr. Fincher. You have proved to me that humanity is a species worth saving. I will return in a thousand years to test you again. Fare thee well, earthmen."
The above might very well have been an alien watching this movie. It certainly sums up many of my feelings after having watched it.
I won't go into details about the actual plot, most of you know the deal with Benjamin Button being born old and dying young. What you might not know yet, is that in between those two events, you'll experience numerous moments of awe, despair, sorrow, sadness, humor and sheer enjoyment.
The story is adapted from a short story and is one of the most engrossing I've watched in a long time. Clocking in at about 160 minutes, you'd forgive the movie for having a few dead periods. But it never does. It's as if not a single second could have been shaved off it. Respect to Eric Roth for the story, but with movies like Forrest Gump, Munich and The Good Shepherd, it's no surprise.
As for the much discussed effects, they are plentiful. But none of them gets in the way. On the contrary. They are added with graceful subtlety, making for wonderful and fantastic pictures. I am not quite sure what it is about the sceneries in the movie that is so wonderful. But they are thick full of atmosphere and everything ooze detail and handicraft at its best.
Much credit should also be paid to the soundtrack. The story stretches over a long period and the music is matched to every period, as well as the wonderful score.
Brad Pitt narrates and plays Benjamin Button - save for the end. Special effects was applied to make him older and younger. With marvelous results. He acts - as always - strikingly well. I'm not a particularly big fan of him, but a performance like this deserves recognition. And he does have a pleasing voice.
Lastly, I must point towards the always enchanting Cate Blanchett who is absolutely wonderful in this movie. It is rare to see a woman of such classical beauty. As she gets older in the movie, she just seems more and more graceful.
In the end, I felt like reversing time and watch the movie all over again, getting more of the beautiful details and dialog.
Thanks for a wonderful viewing experience.