So, first take The Godfather, add some In the Name of the Father and round it all out with just a pinch of Braveheart (just enough to get that "tragic historical figure fighting the crown for independence" flavor). If that doesn't perk your ears and... (read more) So, first take The Godfather, add some In the Name of the Father and round it all out with just a pinch of Braveheart (just enough to get that "tragic historical figure fighting the crown for independence" flavor). If that doesn't perk your ears and pique your interest then how about a cast headed by Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts and featuring small but not un-noteworthy turns by Brendan Gleeson, Stephen Rea and Jonathan Rhys Meyers? Now, let me go back a bit; it's not as good as The Godfather, but then nothing really is. However, it is still a damn fine film and I had simply meant to say that it clearly has borrowed influences and notes lifted direct from Coppola's opus. So what are some of the downsides? Well firstly, it's not a history lesson but when it comes to filmmaking Michael Collins is about as close to accurate as we can really expect from our entertainment. The errors here are mostly minor anachronisms but annoying in that they would have been an easy fix (a wristwatch before they were commonly available to non-fighter pilots, a ship a decade too early, an incorrect rank on an officers uniform etc). The weakest moments are those with Julia Roberts whose character mostly seems written in as a way to break up the politics and warfare; and of course because when you have Aidan Quinn you need an actress to give him a "I love you but love him more" (hey, Legends of the Fall how's it going?). There are a couple of high tension scenes wherein her accent annoyingly comes and goes. Perhaps, I was just hard on her because Mary-Louise Parker was set to play the roll (and I rarely forgive anybody who beats her to a part). All in all, Michael Collins is an excellent, enjoyable and highly recommended film.

I've watched this in two parts with several days gap (faulty double-sided disc) and lost track of who/what/where due to the break. The film needed more 'explaining' of who/why - I don't know enough of that period in Irish history and I'm sure I'm no... (read more) I've watched this in two parts with several days gap (faulty double-sided disc) and lost track of who/what/where due to the break. The film needed more 'explaining' of who/why - I don't know enough of that period in Irish history and I'm sure I'm not alone there.

I didn't really know much about the Easter Uprising and the Irish Civil War, though I did learn a few things about it in my non-western History class last year. So when I saw this at the rental store and realized Liam Neeson was in it, I was really i... (read more) I didn't really know much about the Easter Uprising and the Irish Civil War, though I did learn a few things about it in my non-western History class last year. So when I saw this at the rental store and realized Liam Neeson was in it, I was really intrigued. I'm glad I picked it up because it was a very interesting story. At first, it was hard to adjust to the accents, but it gets easier as the movie goes on. All the actors in the movie are really good, except Julia Roberts. Like, they couldn't get anyone better than her? She didn't even try to have an accent. The story is really exciting too, but for a good portion of the beginning of the movie, the scenes seem to just fly by and cut off really quickly. When learning about the Civil War, I don't remember Collins' name, but near the end it was pretty apparent what was going to happen. Whenever *spoiler* the main protagonist in a movie dies, they always have lame cheesy music playing. You just know it's coming. Anyway, this movie was really good, and it made me want to read further into the Irish Civil War. It seems like a very interesting time period.

Great historical film. Amazing cast. It took me awhile to see this, but I'm glad I finally watched it!

Not as good as I hoped it would be but that doesn't make it bad, just plays like a hollywood biopic with Neil Jordan trying to throw violence like a Scorsesse film. With that said however this film really shines a light of how cruel the British are e... (read more) Not as good as I hoped it would be but that doesn't make it bad, just plays like a hollywood biopic with Neil Jordan trying to throw violence like a Scorsesse film. With that said however this film really shines a light of how cruel the British are even in more modern times in the same kind of way Schindler's List did for germans