Magnificent

Rating: 10/10 (9 March 2011)

Can a man find redemption if he truly repents for the crimes he'd committed? Can the human spirit triumph even in the darkest of places, like a prison? Is hope a dangerous thing? These are the questions you will be asking yourself after watching this Fillet Mignon of a film masterpiece. Based on the incredible writer Stephen King and directed by the diamond in the rough film director Frank Darabont, the Shawshank Redemption is one of the greatest movies of all time, in my opinion. It's one of those movies that whenever it is on TV, I can't help but watch it from start to finish.
The story is narrated by the soothing voice of Morgan Freeman, named Red. And he tells us of the time a new prisoner, Andy a former bank executive convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, came to the Shawshank Pennitentary. At first, Andy has a tough time adjusting to prison life, even getting beaten up a few times by the fellow thugs. But soon he finds his place doing the taxes of all the guards and the warden.
There are so many good things about this film, I can barely think of all of them. The story in which it was based was indeed an enthralling one, Frank Darabont directed it and did a great job, not to mention the grade-A casting.
I'm not sure what the main theme of this movie is, but if I had to guess, it would be about hope. And that hope cannot escape anyone, even those in positions where they feel like there is none. And that redemption is available for any man.
I rate this movie a 10. I never considered giving it anything less.