Why Shawshank Redemption is better than Forrest Gump

Rating: 9/10 (4 October 2013)

Why Shawshank Redemption is better than Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump and The Shawshank Redemption both came out in 1994, but Forrest Gump gained much more award than The Shawshank Redemption. Forrest Gump received six Academy Awards (Oscar Award) whereas The Shawshank Redemption was only nominated for seven Academy Awards. However, Shawshank should have won more awards and it is a better movie compares to Gump.
Shawshank has a comparatively lower profit according to box office. Despite its disappointing box office return, Warner Bros. shipped 320,000 rental video copies throughout the United States, and it became one of the top rented films of 1995. The film's home viewing success was considered to be based on positive recommendations and repeat customers. The film's Academy Award nominations enabled it to fare well in the video sales and cable TV viewings. In June 1997,TNT, an American cable network, showed the film for the first time. The film was the first feature in TNT's Saturday Night New Classics. A 2004 Sunday Times article suggested that TNT aired the film frequently from then on, about once every two months. TV airings of the film accrued record-breaking numbers.(Kermode) (Kermode, Mark (August 22, 2004). Hope Spring eternal
Shawshank can be viewed for a thousand times and makes you think, whereas Forrest Gump can only make you laugh only on the first time you sew it. Shawshank and Gump are totally opposite stories. The main actor Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump is an extremely lucky man, whereas Andy is perhaps one of the most hapless guys. Forrest Gump is a comedy that you can watch lying on your sofa with your friends. However, Shawshank is a more serious movie and you probably will carry a sense of critic to watch that realistic masterpiece. People like excitement at the movies, and titles that provide it do well. Films about "redemption" are approached with great wariness; a lot of people are not thrilled by the prospect of a great film - it sounds like work. But there's a hunger for messages of hope, and when a film offers one, it's likely to have staying power even if it doesn't grab an immediate audience.(Roger Ebert) Shawshank is the kind of movie that you can watch throughout your entire life because of the movie reflects realistic parts that impact on everyone's life. You can see the society you are in right now is just like Shawshank prison. However, Forrest Gump is just a comedy that triggers you to laugh only the first time you see it.
The Shawshank Redemption is a movie that can arouse you about the true beauty of life. However, Forrest Gump cannot trigger you think deeply about the society and your life. Gump is more like a comedy reflects American history. Shawshank uses the narrator's calm, observant voice to include us in the story of men who have formed a community behind bars. It is deeper than most films; about continuity in a lifetime, based on friendship and hope.(Robert Ebert) We can find the description of friendship and the nature of the human beings in Shawshank. Shawshank is extremely recommended by quite a few Chinese celebrities because they have sort of echo with the main character Andy. It is reasonable because lots of current high-ranked government officers such as Chairman Xi Jinping and successful businessmen were used to put into prison during Cultural Revolution. They have similar experience with the main character Andy. Andy's hope in prison reflects those celebrities' lives in prison. They all kept their dreams and fight for them until they success. Lucky guy Forrest Gump rarely appears in life, but Shawshank's characters appears in our real life everyday. You can see selfish politicians; young graduate students who strive for their dreams every day. The dark aspect of society will eventually reveal to you someday and you are not the lucky Gump who can success easily. Shawshank will apply a life long lesson for you: keep your dream and treasure your friendship.
The Shawshank Redemption receives 9.3 out of 10 in IMDb and 90% in Rotten Tomatoes, whereas Forrest Gump gains 8.7 in IMDb and 71% in Rotten Tomatoes. What's more, Shawshank also occupied first place in the Internet Movie Database worldwide vote of the 250 best films in 1999. In the long term, The Shawshank definitely demonstrates its own charisma regardless of its production date.
In the end, I think the conclusions of both movies are the deciding factor. While Gump's ending is fitting and emotional, it only completes it well. In the contract, the final half hour of Shawshank might be the single greatest movie experience. When Andy takes off his clothes and hugs the entire world after he is free and the lightening flashes his eyes and audiences' eyes, you will finally be shocked by human being's greatness of pursuing freedom. When Andy and his friend Red hug on the splendid beach under golden sunshine, you will finally gratitude to the eternal friendship.
All those conclusions on the front pages proved that The Shawshank is definitely a better more compares to Forrest Gump and it desires to receive Academy Awards.