Aubrey–Maturin series should set sail again

I would like to see a sequel to the 2003 film “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.” The film stood out in a landmark year for cinema, and its quality endures 20 years later.

The movie is about Captain Jack Aubrey, along with his longtime friend and the ship’s doctor, Stephen Maturin, and the crew of the HMS Surprise, which is now based at the San Diego Maritime Museum. All of the crew are reeling from a surprise attack by French forces in the Napoleonic Wars.

“Master and Commander” has a personal and human story, which is rare for bigbudget blockbusters. The movie has the right balance of action scenes and smaller character-driven moments. The sound and set design pulls the audience right into the heart of the conflict. Viewers feel like they are in the action amid the sea battles.

The film’s foundation is the power and quality of the two lead actors: Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. Their dynamic is what makes the film meaningful.

The film sets up perfectly for a sequel, with the movie ending with the crew sailing after the French vessel and planning to return to the Galapagos Islands. It would be great to give audiences a conclusion to these stories.

The movie is adapted from a book series by Patrick O’Brian. There are 20 books total (and one unfinished novel), which provide ample material for sequels. They span throughout the Napoleonic Wars and include everything from Aubrey briefly losing his ship to Maturin being captured as a spy, all of which would be great plots for a followup