August Rush (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] | ![August Rush (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G7E36tZJL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Kirsten Sheridan
Actors: Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
Buy New: $79.99
Rating:  239 reviews
Sales Rank: 32470
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: HD DVD
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 114
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 113890
UPC: 085391138907
EAN: 0085391138907
ASIN: B00133KHCO
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
There?s music in the wind and sky. Can you hear it? And there?s hope. Can you feel it? The boy called August Rush can. The music mysteriously draws him penniless and alone to New York City in a quest to find ? somehow someway ? the parents separated from him years earlier. And along the way he may also find the musical genius hidden within him. Experience the magic of this rhapsodic epic of the heart starring Freddie Highmore (as August) Keri Russell Jonathan Rhys Meyers Terrence Howard and Robin Williams. ?I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales? August says. Open your heart and listen. You?ll believe too.Format: DVD HD Genre: DRAMA/CHILDHOOD DRAMA UPC: 085391138907 Manufacturer No: 113890
Amazon.com
Music has long been considered a universal language with the power to bring people together, but can the simple act of playing music possibly unite a child with a mother and father who live in two different cities and don't even know of the child's existence? Having shared one extraordinary night, classical cellist Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) and Irish singer and songwriter Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) were a union meant to be that was torn apart by circumstances and a protective father (William Sadler). After eleven years, both Lyla and Louis have given up performing only to find that they are unhappy and searching for a sense of fulfillment that will ultimately lead both artists back to music and performing. Evan (Freddie Highmore) is an 11-year old orphan who's grown up hearing music in everything around him and is convinced that his real parents want him and will find him with the help of music. Driven by his innate musical genius and a powerful compulsion to perform before the world, Evan runs away from the orphanage and is initially taken in by a street man known as Wizard (Robin Williams) who encourages his musical talent and renames him August Rush and, later, by a local priest who arranges for August to receive a Julliard education. August is a child prodigy who excels beyond even the wildest expectations and earns the opportunity of a lifetime--a chance to perform in front of an enormous audience in New York's Central Park. The question is; can his performance possibly reach the audience August really craves? While elements of this film are completely unbelievable (take August's instant prowess on the guitar or his immediate and sophisticated grasp of musical notation and musical theory), the message of the universality of music and the notion that "the music is all around us, all you have to do is listen" is both compelling and powerful. --Tami Horiuchi
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| Customer Reviews: Read 234 more reviews...
 DESSERT FOR THE "INNER CHILD" November 18, 2008
Too many Amazon reviewers give away too much detail and ruin the potential viewing experience for one and all who take the time to read their reviews. This is a movie for the inner child - drop all pretense of being adult and rational - just relax and enjoy this movie that was meant as a pleasant diversion. Every actor does a great job, the music is wonderful, the movie was beautifully filmed and the story is entirely plausible to all of us who "let our child out to play" while watching this very special movie.
A magical movie November 12, 2008
The title didn't attract me at first, but I read a few reviews of this movie and was intrigued. After watching it, I found it to be a wonderful (if predictable at times) story, with elements of Oliver Twist and a moving story of love, betrayal, the search for love, love found, and a happy ending. Those are all the elements I need to be completely satisfied with a movie! I actually rented this movie, then after seeing it, went and bought it on Blu-ray, so that was another sign that it's one of my favorites. There's a lot of weaving of past events with present, with wonderful performances (especially a contained one by Robin Williams). I highly recommend it.
 Loved it!! November 8, 2008
This is a great movie. Heartwarming and touching. I see the negative reviews and also see people trying to be Siskel and Ebert. Yes maybe a little predicting but who cares. Overall it's got great actors including the colorful Robin Williams, great music and a fantastic ending. So if your not into disecting movies to death then I would give this one a try.
 Ridden with Cliches, but still Moving November 7, 2008
"August Rush" is the kind of film that everyone says you HAVE to watch, as it will 'change your life'. Despite being a fairly new release, it has achieved some sort of cult status on the home video circuit, and I predict that in a few years it will be up there with 'Field of Dreams' as a constant seller on DVD.
That said, I am not one for sappy mediocrity and obvious sentimentality, and this movie has loads of it. From the opening five minutes to the absolutely useless climax (yes, I know it worked for many viewers, but I thought it ruined the film), every scene is worked in such a way that you can't help but see the end coming from a mile away.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers is a fine looking human being, but he looked awkwardly out of place and insensitive in his role here, played out with obviously no passion. Far better is Keri Russell who plays the female lead - this is one actress who has so far been underutilized in general, and here she is no different. Freddie Highmore takes all the credit in his breakthrough performance here - its a finely nuanced performance by a young actor we should see more of.
On the surface, "August Rush" is the sad tale of a child who believes his birth parents are out there somewhere. Both his birth parents are musicians, and the child inherits their musical genius. The final scene is a spectacle, where the young boy 'brings together' his parents under a brilliant night sky, all while conducting a symphony. Its glorious, beautiful, etc, but somehow it still did not move me. I guess the really bad performances by Meyers and Russell during the last five minutes really capsized the film, which is a pity. The last scene, which SHOULD be really powerful, just comes and goes.
In the right hands, "August Rush" could have been an epic classic that could stand the test of time, and become a movie masterpiece. The way it is right now, its a sentimental middle-of-the-road film that could have been so, so much more.
Three Stars. Five Stars for the unforgettable soundtrack.
Entertaining, Uplifting Movie. Very Well-Made. October 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
From the writer of Academy Award winning director Francis Ford Coppola's epic masterpiece "Bram Stoker's Dracula" comes a modern retelling of "Oliver Twist," mixed with "Amadeus." This is an excellent family movie (aside from some mild language, thematic elements and brief violence). Freddie Highmore ("Finding Neverland," "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory") does a very good American accent and can cry on cue. Keri Russell ("Waitress") and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers are terrific. Robin Williams is menacing, but not quite a villain. Unfortunately, the movie ended too abruptly, hence the four out of five stars. Should've had a clear resolution. Other than that, I loved this movie. Rated PG for thematic elements, mild language and brief violence.
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