wonderful, amazing, hilarious..

Rating: Null/10 (19 August 2003)

but I like the book better. Why?
It's all in the details. DETAILS! I want everyone to go and read the fantastic book by William Goldman. The entire time, he's getting you to think it's been written by another person named S. Morgenstern (hence, the guy who wrote the book in the movie). The book is so layered and rich, and the introduction to Westley and Buttercup's romance is so much more complex. And Buttercup is such a BITCH in the book, until she finally realizes the true depth of her love for Westley. They would need to make a miniseries of this to show how truly awesome the book is. My favorite scene in the entire book is sadly excised from the movie. It's the speech that Buttercup makes outside of Westley's hovel when she realizes that she loves him, and the scene following that. It's staggeringly beautiful, and the line, "there have been five great kisses marked down since the invention of the act swept across the world. Well, this one left them all behind," comes during THAT scene, not the end. JUST READ THE BOOK!
That being said, I adore the movie. Despite the fact that it hasn't aged very well, it's consistently funny, very single line from the book that I love is there. "I want my father back, you sonofabitch", "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means," and of course, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." As you can see, I ADORE Mandy Patinkin as Inigo. He's witty, smart, sorrowful, and just plain sexy. And Robin Wright Penn and Cary Elwes are just FANTASTIC as Buttercup and Westley. I've loved Cary ever since I saw him in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. He outdoes himself here. My favorite scene, however, has got to be when Westley fights Fezzik. "I do not envy the headache you will have when you awaken. Until then, sleep well, and dream of large women." LOL! Gotta love Westley!
In conclusion, I love the movie. It's one of my favorites. However, if you want the TRUE ending of The Princess Bride (to understand it's touching meaning), read the book.