The Princess Bride

WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
Click here to show this review. To watch “The Princess Bride” is to be taken back in time. It perfectly captures that feeling you had when you were little, sitting in bed, listening to fairy tales read to you by your parents (or in this case grandfather) with your eyes filled with wonder. It’s memorable, sweet and timeless.

Buttercup (Robin Wright) is forced to marry Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) after her first and truest love Wesley (Carey Elwes) is lost at sea. When she is kidnapped by a trio who wish to start a war (Andre the Giant as Fezzik, Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya and Wallace Shawn as Vizzini), a mysterious masked man begins pursuing them.

The story is told through the framing device of a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading a treasured book to his sick grandson (Fred Savage) As the young man falls in love with the story, you do as well. You can't help it. Even if you could, you'd embrace the growing affection. There are so many iconic and quotable lines in this picture you don’t know where to start. All of the characters are memorable, guaranteeing that this charming picture will find a place in your heart. It’s such a wide-eyed, cheerful picture; I bet if you asked 20 different fans what their favorite part was, you'd get 40 different answers. No one could choose just one. It’s got exciting battles between the heroes and villains, plenty of humor, romance and even a few bits that are… I guess frightening is too harsh of a word. Spooky? No. Scary. Yeah, that’s it. It’s a complete package. There’s something here for everyone.

At this picture’s core is a love story. It helps keep all of the other parts in order and at the same time, it only works because of everything that surrounds it."The Princess Bride" believes in true love, in gallantry and heroism, in vile antagonists, brave heroes and that happy endings are the only right ones. There isn’t an ounce of cynicism present. If you bring some with you, it’ll quickly evaporate as you witness the slew of mini adventures these characters go through. Combine that with the snappy, smartly written dialogue throughout, and you’ve got a film you want to watch over and over.

It had been a long time since I’d seen “The Princess Bride”. Way too long. I’d place this one high on the list of family films that are sure to please everyone. Depending on your age, you’ll be drawn to different aspects of the magical little picture that us "The Princess Bride". (Theatrical version on the big screen, February 4, 2017)