The Perfect Storm

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The Perfect Storm

PG-13

Released Jun 30, 2000

2h 9m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

46%

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138 Reviews

63%

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250,000+ Ratings

Based on a true story, the film tells of the courageous men and women who risk their lives every working day, pitting their fishing boats and rescue vessels against the capricious forces of nature. Their worst fears are realized at sea on Halloween of 1991, when they are confronted by three raging weather fronts which unexpectedly collide to produce the greatest, fiercest storm in modern history -- "The Perfect Storm."

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Critics Consensus

While the special effects are well done and quite impressive, this film suffers from any actual drama or characterization. The end result is a film that offers nifty eye-candy and nothing else.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

The discrepancy between the sophistication of the special effects and the rudimentary dramaturgy results in a $140 million film that may raise your blood pressure, but leaves the rest of you distinctly unengaged.

Mar 6, 2018

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Scary and sad are the main concerns here.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Think of something with the heart and soul of a Conrad yarn, yet buttressed by very special effects and shrewdly packaged for devotees of the Outdoor Living Network

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 22, 2002

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an appealingly old-school drama that boasts a whole host of engaging, attention-grabbing elements...

Rated: 3/4

Oct 27, 2024

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

It offers a few miniscule sequences at sea that sometimes leave me hooked in my seat, but unfortunately, it is a disaster drama that ends up sinking in the ocean of conventional formulas. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jul 27, 2023

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

For all its technical advances, "The Perfect Storm" can’t do what Junger did: make you feel what it’s like to work on the sea and die under it.

Rated: C-

Sep 2, 2022

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wilhen c

Con buenos efectos visuales, actores de primera, trama sencilla pero entretenida sobre valientes hombres y el peligro de sus decisiones y profesiones, motivados por salvar sus vidas y la de los demás.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/12/24

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Chris X. M

This is a compelling human story. The phrase "The perfect storm" has become something people say all the time. The film has a few flaws, but it totally entertaining, gripping, and real. A true story that seems impossible.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

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Dave H

Perfectly cast and brilliantly acted.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

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Jackie V

The (over)acting is awful!!! Every part of this movie made me cringe!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/19/24

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Karen V

I watch a ton of movies and I have watched The Perfect Storm at least 8 times. To hell with "the critics"--the movie was suspenseful, realistic, very well-acted, and gripping. The book by Sebastian Unger brought us the details of how dangerous off-shore fishing can be, the terror that weather can bring in all it's force, the challenges of swordfishing, and the hard lives of fishermen and those who love them. Those critics that criticized the dialogue obviously don't know much about how these fisherman talk...when they say lines like "I always get the fish"--that is what Billy Tyne would say. Wolfgang Peterson did a far better job than some people gave him credit for. He brought this tragic true story of an incredible "perfect storm" home! "The Perfect Storm" was pretty much perfect--and I have read the book several times. This film wasn't a documentary so creative license had to be taken, otherwise you'd be watching mainly a detailed film about fishing boats and equipment, and learning all about extreme weather and the sea (which is certainly an eye-opening education in and of itself). But filmgoers usually want more of a human story, and they want some background on the people this happened to, and then to see what these swordfishermen were up against and how it probably played out. So...Voila!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/15/24

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Ronald R

I have found it very moving. The great courage needed by these fisherman with a very sad ending.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

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Wolfgang Petersen

Director

George Clooney

Captain Billy Tyne

Mark Wahlberg

Bobby Shatford

John C. Reilly

Dale "Murph" Murphy

Diane Lane

Christina "Chris" Cotter

William Fichtner

David "Sully" Sullivan

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, the film tells of the courageous men and women who risk their lives every working day, pitting their fishing boats and rescue vessels against the capricious forces of nature. Their worst fears are realized at sea on Halloween of 1991, when they are confronted by three raging weather fronts which unexpectedly collide to produce the greatest, fiercest storm in modern history -- "The Perfect Storm."

Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Producer: Paula Weinstein, Wolfgang Petersen, Gail Katz
Screenwriter: Sebastian Junger, William D. Wittliff
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Radiant Pictures, Baltimore Spring Creek, Warner Brothers
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 30, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $182.6M
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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