An absolute, hands-down, modern classic
Author: Louis Brough from stoke on trent, England
23 February 2004
Set in the year of 1885 Maggie Gilkeson (Cate Blanchett) is a doctor who along with her two daughters, Lilly and Dot and friend Brake Baldwin, happily live on a ranch in New Mexico. Until, one day a ghost from Maggie's past appears who, turns out to be her estranged father, Samuel Jones (Tommy Lee Jones). But Maggie does not wish to see her father after a troubled childhood so she sends him on his way and hopes to get on with her life without him.
However, when her eldest daughter Lilly (Evan Rachel Wood) is kidnapped by a rebel group of ex-soldiers led by a witch doctor, Maggie has no choice but to ask her father to help track down the kidnappers and find her daughter.Full of continuous epic action 'The Missing' is a film that does not show many faults and has everything you want to see in a first rate film, from tension to suspense with loads of great drama, tremendous acting and even witchcraft.
Director Ron Howard does it yet again, creating a superb film which I think he can easily put into his best of list. The only real bad thing about this film is that it goes on a bit too long (which in all fairness couldn't really be helped) but despite that, it grips you and holds on tight both unpredictable and unforgettable with great performances from Tommy Lee Jones, who never ceases to amaze, Cate Blanchett who is as good as ever, Evan Rachel Wood Gives another super performance and I was particularly impressed with young Jenna Boyd.
* * * * * (5 stars)
I absolutely loved this movie! It was suspenseful, dramatic and beautifully directed. Some people don't care for a Western with an ugly subject like female abduction and slave labor, but that's not what this movie was entirely about. There was a mysterious connection between Samuel and his daughter, Maggie, and that connection remained until the end of the movie, as intended. Not all Westerns are neat and clean, you know.
There was also the wider message of hope and healing, which I found consistent with the main characters' personalities. Furthermore, this movie had strikingly colorful scenery amidst unpalatable characters, which enhanced dramatic elements against the background of uncertainty. Now if you want to talk about acting, I found the character of Samuel Jones to be one of the BEST that Tommy Lee ever played. He went beyond his duty for this part; in fact, he learned the Native language and dialect for his convincing role as a white-man drifter.
You won't find many modern actors giving that type of dedication to their roles these days. And Cate Blanchett was superb; this was a far more dynamic role for her than in LOTRs. Unfortunately, The Missing wasn't given its due, in part because of its ill-timed release. It came out the same week as Master and Commander- what rotten luck- but it's truly one of Ron Howard's finest movies ever directed (next to Apollo 13).If you'd like to expand your imagination into the possibilities beyond the final cut, then rent the 2 disc version for deleted scenes and alternative endings. You won't be disappointed.
Author: cdmarquez from Keller, Texas
24 April 2004
(Très long titre pour very short critique)
I thought the juxtaposition of good vs evil was used very cleverly by Ron Howard in this movie. The filming was extremely realistic and the action was compelling. There were several "slow" moments but these were made up for by the realism of the entire movie. Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones and the SUPERB acting jobs they did definitely carried the film. The role of "Dot" was also extremely well portrayed.
I over rated the movie intentially. I do not think this movie is quite worth a 10. I do think it is one of the better Westerns. The Apache uprising and raids on Southwestern settlers throughout the USA and Mexico during the mid 1880s was terrifying. Some of the Apaches were raiders prior to European settlement. They were hated even by their Indian neighbors. Ron Howard did a good job depicting that terror. Ron Howard did a good job depicting the selfishness involved versus the various groups in the struggle.
Acting is great... Direction is great... Visuals are great... Plot wasn't really original but the excellent performances from Cate Blanchett, Evan Wood and the cute Jenna Boyd made the rest of the movie absolutely fantastic!!! It's strange that Cate, Jenna, or Evan weren't nominated for an oscar or a golden globe. They were excellent. Tommy Lee Jones was also very good! Ron Howard is a great director. I don't understand that there are so many bad comments and that the movie is only rated 6.4/10. I would give it at least an 8/10 ! Ron Howard mixed different genres in this movie: Drama, thriller, western and a little bit of horror. Great Movie
A race against time....
This movie was one of the best of this year. A story about a mother who is forced to reuite with her father which did something so bad she has never forgave him for it, together with Maggie and her father Sam Jones, is in a race against time to resuce her oldest daughter, Lilly from a Brujo who everyone fears. With her youngest Daughter, Dot, all of them race to find them before they make it to Mexico...before it's too late...
Author: Sridhar from California
18 November 2003
This movie is absolutely awesome! I was biting my fingernails through the whole thing! This isn't a western, this is a suspense movie that takes place in a time and location when the landscape was harsh and unforgiving. I can't wait to buy the DVD when it comes out. The directing is awesome, as Ron Howard always is. The writing is some of the best this year. The cinematography is breathtaking. The performances are excellent. Too bad they don't make more movies like this. Definitely a must see!
Author: Miazole from United States
20 July 2006
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Only in theaters for about two weeks, The Missing is an underrated western. Okay, so a girl named Lily (Evan Rachel Wood) is kidnapped by a Brujo (witch) and the mother of the girl Maggie (Cate Blanchett) goes to rescue her. Maggie brings her daughter Dot (Jenna Boyd) along with her. Samuel Jones (Tommy Lee Jones) is Maggie's father and he killed Maggie's mother. Jones also helps Maggie get Lily back, but he is slowly dying from a bite from a rattlesnake. In my opinion, The Missing is an excellent western flick. It may not be as western as you think (for me that is good).
There are no duels with revolvers with hayseed passing by on a windy, sunny day. I have also read the novel of this movie. The novel was titled, "The Last Ride," and it was written by Thomas Eidson. The movie is quite different than the book. In the book, Kayitah was tied to a tree while the kidnappers shot arrows into him. In the movie, he was shot in the leg, and then beaten to death. In the book, Kayitah's son was about Dot's age, and he was shot in the neck. Although the novel and movie are different, both are still great. I was never too fond of western films, but this one impressed me.
Author: CatTales from United States
1 December 2003
Gut-wrenching thriller with unflinching scenes of violence (nightmare-producing), not for the squeamish. This is one of the few films to live up to it's creepy trailer. Flawless filmmaking, acting, and nice score, and though the film does seem long, the suspense and general tension never lets up. In fact, it's so overpowering that any story-cliches in the film are quite forgivable, and the political messages are obvious and quite separate from the massive entertainment-value of the movie. My only major criticism really applies to the content - Tommy Lee(excellent as usual) Jones' character tries dealing with well-known sadists when he could have dealt with their probably less dangerous south-of-the border counterparts. His reasoning is never explained so it appears non-sensical; I suppose it's a minor sacrifice of character-credibility to advance the plot.
This is a really really beautiful and touching film. Ron Howard never fails when it comes to make a moving movie. The acting is amazing and the script is at its finest. I had watched this movie just last night after not watching it in almost a year and its a refreshing change. Really it is unique in the 21st century .... there isn't many films like it out now. This is No.12 in my top 20 favourite movie and is definitely worth a watch even if you don't like the genera. It has so gory-ish scenes and some swearing. I'm going to keep this short because I'm finding it hard to comment any more on this movie but i leave you with this.The Missing - *****/***** See this movie if you liked other Ron Howard Films Thank you for reading this comment and goodnight...also lookout for my other comments!
