InvictusMovie Reviews

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• Must Go!
  Written December 11, 2009

  INVICTUS - conquered me. Grade: A. (Based on advance VIP press preview on Monday Dec. 7, 2009)

  by MOVIES REVIEWER

  Invictus, latin for 'unconquered', is a 1875 short poem by English poet William Ernest Henley.
  The last two lines of the poem are...
  "I am the master of my fate;
  I am the captain of my soul."
  
  Invictus is also a 135-minute movie based on the non-fiction book by John Carlin - Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation, and chronicled Nelson Mandela's life from 1994-1995 - focusing mainly on his inspiring and successful attempts to racially and politically depolarize plus unify the South African nation with the help of South Africa's underdog rugby team, Springboks.
  
  Director Clint Eastwood was charged with the difficult task of weaving politics and sports while presenting a portrait of a gentle, wise, and humanitarian leader. He succeeded in crafting a well-told story - with excellent production values - that is fresh, entertaining, educational, inspiring, and yet - not at all 'preachy'.
  
  VERDICT:
  ROUSING, INSPIRATIONAL, POWERFUL.
  Go See It!!

  • 289 out of 291 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 12, 2009

  What movies are all about.

  by jay247

  This is a "Must Go" movie. It is a beautiful story of human conflict and choices.
  It is a story of how, from the deep shadows of darkness can come forgiveness and healing.
  
  Wonderful movie, Clint Eastwood did it again.
  Two Thumbs up for:
  Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.

  • 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 21, 2009

  A fascinating blend of politics and sports

  by pb7605

  I went in to this with low expectations- the movie we wanted to see was sold out. But can I just say WOW! This was a fantastic movie. Superb acting by both Morgan Freemon and Matt Damon as well as the supporting actors. The movie really gives a glimpse inside 1990's South African society and politics and demonstrates the immense task that Mandela was faced with in terns of bringing the country together. It is enlightening without being heavy handed. Instead of trying to be an all encompassing story about Mandela's life, it focuses on a relatively narrow time period and scope of activities, and manages to somehow convey a good sense of the man and his political instincts. And the rugby scenes were amazing. I have never seen rugby before, but this movie makes me want to get to know the sport. Great movie.

  • 8 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 30, 2009

  Much More than a Sports Movie

  by cspringsmom

  I got the impression this was another one of those "Underdogs Win Championships" movie that we've all seen before in Hoosiers, Major League, etc. The truth is, the rugby matches are a small part of the real story going on here. While I thought the Nelson Mandela story was just a sideline that was going to be "why" the South African national team had to win, it was the other way around. The story is one about this amazing individual who spent 27 years in a tiny cell because of his stand against Apartheid. He could've come out bitter, who would blame him? He lost his wife and family, for the most part, during those years, and it wasn't like the individuals who put him away were even asking for forgiveness. But he knew that if he could find one small thing both factions could route for, it would help build unity that was non-existent in South Africa at that time. He teaches forgiveness from a personal example and Morgan Freeman was completely believable in the role. Oscar material.

  • 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 17, 2009

  An Untold Story of Freedom and Forgiveness

  by NathanielQueen

  This is a must-see film for all people interested in the struggle in South African. It is a true story of how everyday happenings can have profound effect. Morgan Freeman is his usal best. And while I am not a big Matt Damon fan, he was great in his role as the instrument of Mandela's peace offering to All the people of South Africa.

  • 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written December 19, 2009

  Invictus worth the price

  by dmaneri

  Though Invictus moves slowly at times, it is a typically brilliant job by Director Clint Eastwood with plenty of highly emotional moments. The script was tight and if you didn't know that the story was real, you'd say it was impossible. The writer's use of the President's security force as a microcosm of South Africa was a brilliant choice. Matt Damon did a very good job as the Captain of the Rugby team; he just wasn't asked to do much -- we kept waiting for some great emotional speech or moment of inspiration and other than the final minutes of the World Cup game, his character never said nor did much that was exceptional. What was execeptional was the performance and the role of Nelson Mandela as played by Morgan Freeman. The thoughtfulness of this great man came through in every scene with Mr. Freeman. It should be seen by families and kids of all ages.

  • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 19, 2009

  Amazing and Inspirational leadership lessons

  by

  This movie has wonderful lessons about how to be a servant leader from three perspectives (Mandela, captain of the Springboks and the head of the presidential security detail). The scene with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in Mandela's office is especially inspirational. This movie demonstrates the power of forgiveness and reconcilliation, rather than revenge. These are especially valuable lessons for today's turbulent times. Great performances by the leads and outstanding shots of rugby that really shows the brutality and beauty of the sport. Much more than a sports movie, definitely a must see.

  • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written December 13, 2009

  A great movie, if not for a few faults

  by Gobexs

  Invictus is definitely a film worth seeing, both by sports fans and the politically savvy, but sluggish pacing early on and some other poor choices prevent it from being what I would call a great movie.
  
  First the good stuff: Invictus is a compelling true story, with appeal across the spectrum. Matt Damon gives a quite sufficient performance, and Morgan Freeman is excellent. Clint Eastwood takes his time developing his characters and his treatment of post-Apartheid race relations in South Africa is eloquent and moving. As a rugby player disappointed by Hollywood's treatment of the game to date, I was very happy to see a much more well-informed and respectful portrayal of the game.
  
  The bad: This movie's trailer featured some powerful traditional African music, which was often usurped in the film by an annoying South African pop band. Morgan Freeman seemed forced into a few lines that were clearly intended to dumb things down for the audience.
  
  Overall a very good movie!

  • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 12, 2009

  WOW!

  by kwkurtz44

  1st off to the guy who said it was not worth his time and a waste of money. I can only assume your a Frddy Kruger Fan, But, then I would think it hard to find even a Freddie Krueger fan, that would not appreciate exceptional film work when they see it.
  
  When I saw the Queen, I walked out of there thinking, if she doesn't get the Oscar for that performance there is no justice. That is how I felt about Morgan Freeman after walking out of Invictus. I saw the film in a theater in a predominently white suburb north of Georiga, I am white also,, the audience consisted of mostly "red necks". I counted at least 5 men in my immeidate vicinity wiping tears from their eyes. Mr. Eastwood, when you can make a red neck cry over a Black hero, you've done your job.
  
  I'm a big fan of DeNiro also, and I hear that his perfromance in his new movie "Everybody's Fine" is aolso Oscar Worthy, so I will make no predictions yet. But, Freeman is a cinch to be nominated, as I am sure Eastwood will be

  • 8 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 12, 2009

  • 

    Must See Oscar Worthy Performance

  by reshanda

  • 5 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written December 12, 2009

  Not you're typical sports movie

  by MrTimothy

  Invictus concentrates on the social conflicts facing South Africa in the first year of Mandela's presidency, Mandela's efforts to bring reconciliation, and the role the Rugby World Cup played in bringing the country together. The story centers on Daemon as the team captain and Freeman as Mandela. Freeman and Matt Daemon put in great performances, for which Freeman deserves particular praise. It is not your normal motivational sports movie, in the vein of Hoosiers or Miracle, however. Few of the South African team's players are presented as individual characters, and even the coach's role in the victory is mostly ignored. The movies focus is the reactions of the South African people rather than on the mechanics of the game, or skills of the players. Watching the movie is unlikely to provide a greater understanding of Rugby, or motivate people to take up the sport, but does a good job of dramatizing the social impact of an important moment in South Africa's history.

  • 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written December 22, 2009

  Invictus

  by czuccaro

  Both Morgan Freeman And Matt Damon give superb performances in this biopic about South Africa's 1995 World Rugby Cup win. The film is a bit thin in explaining how these men got to the point where they are , but overall very entertaining. I would highly recommend seeing this film.

  • 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written February 21, 2010

  • 

    interesting unusual good oscar humorous

  by neeceeangel

  • 4 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written August 16, 2010

  by grmndeb

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• So-so
  Written December 15, 2009

  by Suzanne316

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