AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Glimmerubro It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

brian_clay I know that Clint Howard is cast in each of brother Ronnie's films but I never knew he also had all those other relatives who write perfect 10 reviews. My only guess is that the reviewer who wrote that it was "...the best western ever made." has never seen any films made pre-2000. How an actual film lover/reviewer could rate this above: High Noon, Outlaw Josie Whales, Fort Apache, The Searchers (The real one), True Grit, Jeremiah Johnson, Unforgiven, Winchester 73, They died with their boots on, Magnificent Seven!!! and on and on and......is beyond my comprehension. As I said, not the worst, but COME ON MAN!!!

unitythroughterror There's a snake-wielding sorcerer (Eric Schweig) who kidnaps a group of girls to sell into prostitution in Mexico. A determined mother (Cate Blanchett) and her estranged, honorary Native father (Tommy Lee Jones) set off hot in pursuit. The supernatural edge to this film raises the tension - in a very effective and creepy way. The fact that it is seamlessly woven in with the factual events (female kidnapping and sexual slavery, the ethics and politics of Native Americans and Americans unfairly co-existing, etc.) is very cool. The shots are well put together and the film as a whole becomes more emotionally involving by the climax. The acting is both superb and then a bit hammy here and there. The villain is very well portrayed by Schweig, but some of the dialogue is pretty ridiculous ("what does this squashed penis want?"). The images and effects, plus the occasional gore (this film is mostly bloodless in its depictions of violence - albeit a few gory moments) is well put together and disturbing. The film has a pseudo-epic feel, which I felt took away from the tension of it being a rather small story as a whole. It came out in 2003, which seemed like the year "violent, epic movies" were quite a trend (take, for example, Cold Mountain and Snow Falling on Cedars). If Ron Howard hadn't been going for the "epic" approach I think the film would have benefited a bit more. That being said, all in all, it's enjoyable, but it's no masterpiece. I was invested, however, and that's saying a lot as I am a pretty jaded moviegoer.

sddavis63 I feel the need to say right off the top that there was a lot about "The Missing" that I actually liked. I thought that Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones were both very good. Blanchett played a mom whose daughter gets kidnapped by Apaches, who've been stealing girls in raids to sell (presumably into prostitution) in Mexico. Jones was her estranged father, who abandoned her when she was a girl and suddenly showed up at her farm all these years later (after having "gone Indian") looking to make amends. Both Jones and Blanchett were believable in their roles. The basic story served to bring forth a feeling of sympathy for these poor girls who've been kidnapped (since we know what their fate is going to be if they're not rescued) and it makes us root for Blanchett and Jones as they set out to rescue them. The climactic confrontation at the end is pretty well done and pretty exciting. All that worked pretty well here. So, what was the problem with this?First was the pacing. It just seemed off. The first 1:45 or so was uneven and probably spent a little too much time (especially near the beginning) telling us that the mom and her estranged father were - well - estranged. I got the point. I wasn't sure, either, about the focus that ended up being put on the "Indian spirituality" (for lack of a better way of describing it) that Jones' character had picked up, basically because, this being Hollywood, I doubted that much of it was authentic anyway. It looked more like an attempt to remind the viewer that - hey - there are Indians in this movie. And, frankly, the movie was a half hour too long. It's true enough that most of the excitement in this was in that last half hour. But most of what happened in that period could (in my opinion anyway) have been integrated into the earlier part of the story, which some of the unnecessary material cut out) and that would have resulted in a decent and more compact (and more focused) movie. As it was, this seemed a little bit all over the lace, and I really think the movie should have simply ended with the rescue of the girls, rather than with the unnecessary last half hour (and, as I said, what happens in the last half hour could have easily been moved earlier, which would have made for a better movie.)As it is, it's a decent movie - and it does keep your attention, because you do want these girls to be rescued. So, it's very watchable in spite of its problems. It's just not great. (5/10)

xxmoonshinerxx This movie is a must see especially for any western buffs. It kept me on the edge of my seat and the entire cast should have gotten some type of award for their most excellent and intense performances. As one critic pointed out, Eric Schweig did not receive half the credit he should. He is way underrated and is deserving of better, challenging roles than he has had in the past. Tommy Lee Jones & Cate Blanchett are each relentless in their pursuit of positive and negative. She is determined he will not be a part of her life since he has not been since she was a child. He is determined to let her know in a discreet way that he wants to be in her life and does not say he is sorry but you know he is and tries in every way he can to prove it to her. The movie kept me on the edge of my seat the whole entire time the first time I saw it. The other actors/actresses were equally as effective in adding character and intensity to the movie. I think Jenna Boyd was a pleasant surprise in the movie because of her youth and the intensity she put into her character. James Horner outdid himself as well this time with the music score. In every single aspect of Oscars this movie should have been at the top of it's class. Brilliant acting,casting,setting,location, production, writing, costume...you name it it was perfect in my opinion. I cannot believe I did not see this movie until 8 years after it was released. Ron Howard's very best to date and it goes without saying that anything Brian Grazer attempts turns to gold automatically. I would recommend this film to everyone except maybe children since it is a rather violent movie. All of which adds to the impact it has on the audience. I watch this movie every time it is on and will continue to do so. I never tire of watching it. I plan to purchase it in the very near future. Do not miss this movie if you have not seen it if you like this kind of film. JMHO