The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Ah, The Shawshank Redemption. It`s been a few years since the last time I saw this piece of art motion picture. I enjoyed watching it the last time too, but I wasn`t paying attention to what it was really all about back then. I just sat there, staring, thinking it was a good film, but waiting for it to end so I could put on another one, one with more action in it, like Rambo or Indiana Jones. I think I was too young the last time I watched it, I don`t think I quite managed to grasp the seriousness of it.

I`ve read and heard a lot about it lately, almost like it have had a second premiere or something. Pretty similar to the new movies in the theatres; this is the new, great film to go watch, even though it`s "old". I guess that can say a thing or two about the impression the film have had on people, the feeling people have been left with after watching it; never forgetting what it was like, still remembering and recommending it many years later. I could probably count on one hand the movies that have managed to do this. To be quite honest, the only other film I can think of is Gladiator (2000).
One of the best parts in the entire movie, the one part that sticks with you after the film has ended, is when the old man in the library gets the message that he`s to be set free. He doesn`t want to leave. The prison is his home, after living most of his life on the inside of those high walls. Poor, old man.

Frank Darabont is the director of this amazing film, and if you`ve never heard of him, fear not! That doesn`t mean that you`re not as much of a geek as myself. It`s just that he haven`t directed anything worth wasting time on for quite a few years. 5 years went on, after The Shawshank Redemption, before making something almost as good (even better, some would say), The Green Mile (1999). The Mist (2007) I haven`t gotten to yet, and Fahrenheit 451 (2009) is still in production.















I keep asking myself why Tim Robbins seemingly is having such a hard time getting good parts in good movies, he`s a really good actor! The last one I caught with him in it, where he had the leading part, was Jacob's Ladder (1990). Now that`s a crappy film! But he have done a few good to ok ones, other than The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile: Arlington Road (1999), Antitrust (2001), Mystic River (2003), War of the Worlds (2005) and Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005) are the only ones worth mentioning, even though his part in most of them was quite small.

Morgan Freeman does his part in good, old Freeman manner; steady as a rock. But I gotta warn you, don`t watch many films in a row with him in them. He`s got a tendency of getting a little boring. His lacking variety, if you will. But worry not, my friend, in The Shawshank Redemption he fits like a glove. He`s perfect for the part, and I can`t think of anyone that would have dont it better than him.

I recommend this film to anyone. If you haven`t seen it, do so, but if you`re 14-15 you may wanna consider waiting a couple of years. Either that, or watch it again in a few years. That`s what I did, and it was SO much better the second time.

This, people, is a movie to watch and to remember. Nine stars, no doubt about it.