Tom Hanks "gives one of the towering screen performances of all time" (New York Post) as Chuck Noland, a FedEx systems engineer whose ruled-by-the-clock existence abruptly ends when a harrowing plane crash leaves him isolated on a remote island. As Chuck struggles to survive, he finds that his own personal journey has only just begun...

Cast Away is a good movie that wants to be much better. While director Robert Zemeckis's earlier film Contact achieved a kind of mainstream spiritual significance, Cast Away falls just short of that goal. That may explain why the film's most emotionally powerful scene involves the loss of an inanimate object, even as it presents a heart-rending dilemma in its very human final act.

It's three movies in one, beginning when punctuality-obsessed Federal Express systems engineer Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) departs on Christmas Eve to escort an ill-fated flight of FedEx packages. Following a mid-Pacific plane crash, movie number two chronicles Chuck's four-year survival on a remote island, totally alone save for a Wilson volleyball (aptly named "Wilson") that becomes Chuck's closest "friend." Movie number three leads up to Chuck's rescue and an awkward encounter with his ex-girlfriend Kelly (Helen Hunt, in a thankless role), for whom Chuck has seemingly risen from the grave.

It's fascinating to witness Chuck's emerging survival skills, and Hanks's remarkable physical transformation is matched by his finely tuned performance. With slow, rhythmic camera moves and brilliant use of sound, Zemeckis wisely avoids the postcard prettiness of The Black Stallion and The Blue Lagoon to emphasize the harshness of Chuck's ascetic solitude, and this stylistic restraint allows Cast Away to resonate more than one might expect. Even the final scene--which feels like a crowd-pleasing compromise--offers hope without shoving it down our throats. You may not feel the emotional rush that you're meant to feel, but Cast Away remains a respectable effort. --Jeff Shannon

Cast Away is a good movie that wants to be much better. While director Robert Zemeckis's earlier film Contact achieved a kind of mainstream spiritual significance, Cast Away falls just short of that goal. That may explain why the film's most emotionally powerful scene involves the loss of an inanimate object, even as it presents a heart-rending dilemma in its very human final act.

It's three movies in one, beginning when punctuality-obsessed Federal Express systems engineer Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) departs on Christmas Eve to escort an ill-fated flight of FedEx packages. Following a mid-Pacific plane crash, movie number two chronicles Chuck's four-year survival on a remote island, totally alone save for a Wilson volleyball (aptly named "Wilson") that becomes Chuck's closest "friend." Movie number three leads up to Chuck's rescue and an awkward encounter with his ex-girlfriend Kelly (Helen Hunt, in a thankless role), for whom Chuck has seemingly risen from the grave.

It's fascinating to witness Chuck's emerging survival skills, and Hanks's remarkable physical transformation is matched by his finely tuned performance. With slow, rhythmic camera moves and brilliant use of sound, Zemeckis wisely avoids the postcard prettiness of The Black Stallion and The Blue Lagoon to emphasize the harshness of Chuck's ascetic solitude, and this stylistic restraint allows Cast Away to resonate more than one might expect. Even the final scene--which feels like a crowd-pleasing compromise--offers hope without shoving it down our throats. You may not feel the emotional rush that you're meant to feel, but Cast Away remains a respectable effort. --Jeff Shannon

Avoid Blu Ray version like the plague (1.0)

The transfer of this wonderful movie is pitiful, Fox should be ashamed of ripping off their loyal customers with these poor quality Blu Ray Movies. This movie is not even that old. It looks grainy, the blacks are off and the lines are blurry at times. DO NOT BUY, THE DVD LOOKS BETTER. I do not think I will buy a Fox movie until they start remastering and get their act together, perhaps if enough people stop buying, they will start releasing these masterpieces in a quality format.

A methapor of life (5.0)

We are taught to believe that our future is determined by the choices we take and miss and although that is true in a way, I have come to realize that many important paths in my life had been chosen in a more coincidental way.

From the minute he gets to the island every single decision he takes has to comply to the laws of nature. This is something is not apparent when you live in a society but the truth is that you are as confined as he was in the island. There is a beautiful shot of him at the top of the hill overlooking everywhere and only seeing the ocean, it makes you feel so insignificant and powerless.
You want to believe you are the owner of your destiny but you aren't. Life can and will take you to places you never expected to be.

I might be in a minority here, but I really like this movie. Without saying much it speaks a thousand words to me.
I am extremely grateful to everyone who participated in creating this movie and I am glad they did it as real as possible, no music on the background to dramatize scenes in the island. Tom Hanks never overplayed the part and I know I would go through the same feelings if I was in the same situation.

PS: I did cry for Wilson

Gilligan Goes Hollywood (4.0)

IF someone told me I would enjoy a movie in which the main character (Tom Hanks)spends better than 90% of the time alone - I would've laughed and thought it a ridiculous premise for a movie. But I would've been mistaken...Castaway is a good, family movie, that demonstrates Tom Hanks abilities and leaves no room for doubt as to why he is one of a select group of headliners.

The sole survivor of a plane crash, Fed Ex engineer Chuck Noland finds himself stranded on an uninhabited island, living on coconuts and fish. As days turn to weeks, his well groomed and close cropped hair begins to resemble the straggley, sun bleached tresses of a caveman. His appearance seems to be the physical manifestation of the emotional trauma with which he is struggling... He opens one of the FedEx packages and finds a volleyball, naming it "Wilson," this ball became his best friend, confidant and source of strength. His conversations with Wilson run the gamut, from heartwarming to laugh-out-loud silly.

A good movie !!

A bit disappointing (2.0)

I love this movie, but in the blu-ray format you see too much. You see all the film grain in the opening scenes and other artifacts throughout the movie. Maybe there is a way to take this out and then put it on blu-ray?

Reviewing the product, not the movie (1.0)

I'm a big, big fan of this movie, so I was excited to get the blu-ray version, thinking it would be beautiful given the subject and location of the film.

Sadly, this is a blu-ray in technical format only. The transfer looks WORSE than the DVD version I have. That's right, worse. Skip this and wait for some "remastered" (and probably more expensive version).

Again, love the movie, loath the blu-ray transfer.