The Perfect Storm

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The Perfect Storm

PG-13

Released Jun 30, 2000

2h 9m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

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138 Reviews

64%

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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

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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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Audience Member

This was horrific..... Telling if a story that no one knows. This can't be called "based on a true story". There is no real connection with the characters, The end of the film made me feel unfulfilled. It's in the top of my list of worst movies of all time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/25

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Garrett B

It has great VFX, music score, and emotional depth.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

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Audience Member

This film, based on the true story and novel of the same name, follows Billy Tyne, the captain of the swordfishing boat Andrea Gail, and his crew. After a disappointing fishing trip and a streak of bad luck, they decide to leave their families behind once more and return to the open sea in search of a better haul. However, when a confluence of powerful weather fronts and a hurricane creates the "perfect storm," the crew must battle the raging seas to make it back home—an ordeal that will be anything but smooth sailing. Overall, due to an evocative score, immersive visual effects, a stellar cast with undeniable chemistry that exudes brotherhood and camaraderie every time they are on screen, and a tense, emotional atmosphere, this movie is quite good, and although I'm not particularly interested in or knowledgeable about fishing, and too much time is spent on side characters who are experiencing the storm rather than focusing on our leads, I still very much enjoyed my time with this disaster feature and It serves as a fitting tribute to the lives lost that day and the families they left behind.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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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