The New World Staff Review
Though the colonization of America's Jamestown and the John Smith story has been told many times before, the last time it hit the silver screen was in the Disney's animated feature film, "Pocahontas". Then, in 2006, New Line Cinema brought us "The New World", directed by Terrence Malick (Thin Red Line), starring Colin Farrell, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, and newcomer Q'orianka Kilcher.
In the new extended version, with more than 30 minutes of footage unseen in theaters – it's a story you never imagined; a spellbinding tale of the Jamestown settlement, of cultures connecting and of deadly consequences when connections fray. At the same time, however, you get to see the familiar, legendary love story between John Smith and Pocahontas unfold.
If you are familiar with Terrence Malick's work, you will appreciate or despise his work. The New World, like all his other films, takes a very different approach to directing, including many dream like sequences and rough cuts between scenes.
The main and supporting cast are simply amazing. Collin Farrell gives his best performance to date, while newcomer Q'orianka Kilcher is simply amazing as the lovely Pocahontas, easily upstaging any actor or actress on screen with her.
For me, the true downfall of this film was director Terrence Malick, while the story he wrote is captivating, his directional style is a bit to avant-garde for my taste. The movie was a bit slow, and while the storyline was, as I said, captivating, it was spoiled, in my opinion, by the lack of energy behind it.
This new edition DVD seamlessly interweaves the extra 30 minutes of the film into the theatrical release. However, the DVD contains no extras (which would have reduced the film quality), but does tout a digital copy of the film so you may have it when you travel.
If you are a fan of the theatrical version of the New World, you will fully enjoy this new extended version. However, if you really did not enjoy the original, I would not suggest getting the extended version since it just adds to the same material.
--Nathan M Rose
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Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
