The Best Movie In A Long, Long Time.

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2010)

If you're sitting there, like I was a few hours ago; thinking that this film doesn't deserve to be called the Greatest Film of All Time, as IMDb has it placed, then do yourself a favor and watch it first.
I thought this was a popular vote that had no basis in reality, like how people call a new- age pop band the "best band ever". I was wrong. Very, very wrong.
I'm not here to tell you that this is the best movie ever made, I can't do that. Movies are about the meaning they have to your life and one's personal experience defines what you relate to, thus that title will always be different for each individual, but what I can do is tell you about the effect it had on me.
First and foremost this is a story about hope. It's not a story about crime & prison, if you adhere to this interpretation then you're not looking deep enough into the themes of the film. Yes, Mr. King uses the story of Andy to communicate his messages, but the narration itself is entirely superficial, this could have just as easily been a story about war, but the conduit he uses is fairly well suited to his goal.
The acting is superb, I couldn't think of a better suited cast. Tim Robbins is fantastic as Andy (The main character), and Morgan Freeman is just as good as his friend. The last time I saw acting this good was in The Godfather. You feel for the characters, not only because of the superb acting but also because the character development is so subtle and concise that by the end of the film you feel as if you've known them all your life.
I'll elaborate on the allegory portrayed. The film explores such areas as corruption, religion, hope, love & integrity. King suggests that hope is the most important thing in life, and those who have lost it ultimately decay into a sea of mediocrity (as shown through contrast between Brooks & Red). This was the theme I found most interesting and applicable to my life, but the rest are equally as touching. Notice the difference in behavior between those who are religious and those who are not, King hints at a perceived justification for evil in the contrast between Andy & the Warden.
Integrity is also portrayed as something delicate and somewhat essential to happiness, like hope. King shows this mainly through the actions of Andy, as embodied in the quote "The funny thing is - on the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook." (That was not a spoiler, it's fairly obvious that he goes to prison, just by looking at the synopsis)
I don't wish to get into the story too much, just keep these themes in mind when you watch the movie and you'll find it infinitely more rewarding.
In conclusion, The Shawshank Redemption is the best film of the past 20 years, and while it perhaps doesn't deserve that top spot (I'm still deciding, but I doubt I can convince myself to concede it does), it is still an essential movie in my collection and I wouldn't give it up for anything. It's right up there with The Godfather and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.
Themes: 100% - Perhaps the best film ever made in this regard.
Acting: 96% - Fabulous performances all round, characters don't age much though.
Story: 98% - A classic, the best King adaption by far.
Lasting appeal: 99% - The only film you can watch 100 times and discover something new each sit through.
Influence: 92% - Watch it and you'll realize how ripped off it's been.
Overall: 98% - It doesn't get much better than that.