Russell Crowe doesn’t take kindly to anyone bashing one of his favorite movies he once appeared in.
The 56-year-old Oscar winner took to Twitter on Saturday to defend his 2003 maritime epic Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World after the English singer–songwriter Ian McNabb took aim at it.
Crowe brushed off the complaints as a symptom of ‘kids these days,’ while plenty of Twitter users rushed to defend the cult-classic film.
Playing defense: Russell Crowe, 56, defended his 2003 epic Master And Commander Saturday on Twitter after rocker Ian McNabb criticized it last week; still from Master And Commander
McNabb instigated the conflict with a quarantine-themed takedown of Master And Commander.
‘Lots of folk complaining about lack of sleep during the Pandemic,’ he began. ‘May I recommend Master And Commander starring the usually captivating, attention-grabbing Russell Crowe.’
The musician added, ‘I’ve never made it past the ten minute mark. You’re welcome. And thanks Russell,’ before tagging the actor so that he would see the tweet.
Confrontational: McNabb instigated the conflict with a quarantine-themed takedown of Master And Commander, but he tagged Crowe to ensure he would see it
Big fan: Crowe defended the film by commending its cinematography, ‘majestic soundtrack,’ and director Peter Weir
‘That’s the problem with kids these days. No focus,’ Crowe wrote, though McNabb is four years older than him.
The actor shared some specifics about what made the film not only compelling, but beautiful to watch.
‘Peter Weirs film is brilliant. An exacting, detail oriented, epic tale of fidelity to Empire & service, regardless of the cost. Incredible cinematography by Russell Boyd & a majestic soundtrack.
‘Definitely an adults movie,’ he added.
Not for the little ones: ‘That’s the problem with kids these days. No focus,’ he wrote, though McNabb is four years older than him. ‘Definitely an adults movie’; seen in 2018 in NYC
Master And Commander was well reviewed when it came out in 2003, but it was considered a box office disappointment after only earning $211.6 million against a $150 million budget; still from Master And Commander
Master And Commander was well-reviewed at the time of its release, and it currently boasts an 85 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes — which bumps up to 93 percent when only the most prestigious critics are included — but the film is considered a commercial disappoint.
The movie had a $150 million budget, but it only earned $211.6 million, which was considered lackluster after factoring in how much would have been spent on advertising and distribution.
The film’s director, Peter Weir, told The Seattle Times in 2005 that the movie did ‘well…ish at the box office,’ but ‘it didn’t generate that kind of monstrous, rapid income that provokes a sequel.’
In recent years, cinephiles on Twitter have continued to praise the film and reevaluate it.
Thumbs up: Josh Gad was among those standing up for the film. ‘A perfect movie,’ he tweeted in response to Crowe
Cream of the crop: The comedian, writer and Daily Show correspondent John Hodgman agreed, calling Master And Commander, ‘One of the greatest greatest’
Fellow filmmaker: Peter Ramsey, who co-directed the blockbuster Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, was also a fan
Smackdown! The former professional wrestler The Iron Sheik even joined the pile-on
Josh Gad was among those standing up for the film.
‘A perfect movie,’ he tweeted in response to Crowe.
The comedian, writer and Daily Show correspondent John Hodgman agreed, calling Master And Commander, ‘One of the greatest greatest.’
Peter Ramsey, who co-directed the blockbuster Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, was also a fan.
‘That guy’s a f***ing idiot, Russell,’ he tweeted. ‘Peter Weir is a god, the movie’s amazing and you’re amazing in it. Thank you.’
The former professional wrestler The Iron Sheik even joined the pile-on.
‘YOU SAID IT PERFECT RUSSELL BUBBA. THE KIDS DONT KNOW YOU TEACH THEM TO BE COME LEGENDS,’ he enthused.
Leading man: Crowe stars in the film as Captain Jack Aubrey, commander of the HMS Surprise, who pursues a French ship during the Napoleonic Wars; still from Master And Commander
Crowe stars in the film as Captain Jack Aubrey, commander of the HMS Surprise.
The film is set during the Napoleonic wars of the early nineteenth century, and Aubrey’s ship is order to battle the French ship Acheron, which he believes will try to attack the British whaling fleet.
Paul Bettany costars as the ship’s surgeon, Dr. Stephen Maturin.
The film was nominated for multiple Academy Awards and won two, for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing.
The director, Weir, is best known for a string of Australian New Wave classics in the 1970s, including Picnic At Hanging Rock.
His later big budget films include the Harrison Ford–starring thriller Witness, Dead Poets Society, starring the late Robin Williams, and the Oscar-nominated film The Truman Show.
Acclaimed: The film was nominated for multiple Academy Awards and won two, for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing