Technically speaking, this is the ultimate cinema achievement

Rating: 10/10 (5 December 2008)

All right people, without giving away any spoilers, I can sum up the Shawshank Redemption in one word: FLAWLESS. To me, this movie is second only to American Beauty, due to the latter's thought provoking aura; however, technically speaking, this is the ultimate cinema achievement. While it is almost impossible to single out a perfect film, the Shawshank Redemption is a serious contender for the title of best movie ever made. Now I know people will gloat about Citizen Kane's cinematography or The Godfather's character development, but the Shawshank Redemption beats them all technically wise (watch the movie and see how everything works out flawlessly, it's really something quite special). The movie has a unique charm about it, evoking a tranquil response from the audience. The ultimate feel good film, the Shawshank Redemption is a monument of cinema greatness. The only thing the Godfather has over the Shawshank Redemption is the status of a classic, largely due to critics' praise; on the other hand, movies after the 1980's are considered as the "fall of cinema," or so it would appear through a critic's POV. Well, those movies have something that the so called classics do not, and that is the humane factor. After all, we are humans with feelings, and I think that through "art achievements" such as the Shawshank Redemption, human creativity itself is elevated to a higher status. Evoking emotion in the audience, one of Shawshank's greatest strengths, is what makes the cinema experience what it is: the pinnacle of human achievements.