Quite possibly the best movie of all time...

Rating: 10/10 (6 December 2002)

First things first... This is my favorite movie of all time. Therefore, I was disturbed to see a few reviews claiming that this movie isn't all that great. Having only a few college credits remaining until I obtain a degree in Critical Film Analysis, I have studied this film numerous times and can tell you just why it is so great. First off, I read from another review that it was horrible because it was a first-time director. That just happens to be one reason why the film is so great to begin with. The director is passionate about the project since it is his first, and Darabont's passion is displayed magnificently in this film. The same goes for Kevin Costner (Dances With Wolves) and Sam Mendes (American Beauty). Both were first time directors and as a matter of fact both won Oscars for their Best Picture winning "first timers."
The other unlogical argument against this film that I read was about how "plain" it was. Heaven forbid that there is no computer enhanced bullets flying by a body being covered by dozens upon dozens of cameras (The Matrix) or some cheesy George Lucas characters that have no bearing on a story. The Shawshank Redemption is far from a plain movie though. The camera work IS amazing, just look at the scene where Andy is about to be pushed off of the roof that the inmates are tarring. That was pulled off WITHOUT a computer at all. Another argument that I heard: The story is too plain. Well I'm sorry that there is no Hans Solo pressing the *fill in the blank* button that will lift the *fill in the blank* to stop the *fill in the blank* from attacking the planet of *fill in the blank* that is inhabited by the *fill in the blank* race. The Shawshank Redemption is as real as it gets. Why introduce twenty million characters just for the shear joy of it? Darabont shows more emotion with Red and Andy than any other director that I have seen (possibly Sam Mendes may be better by a short bit). Without getting too much further into the film I'll just stop by saying that if you haven't seen The Shawshank Redemption there is a reason why it is #2 on the IMDB top 250 list. A good movie is enjoyable to watch, but a great movie will get you lost within the film and open a entire new world that you might never experience. You will lose yourself in the Shawshank Redemption. **I also recommend another Stephen King/Frank Darabont film: The Green Mile.