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Forrest Gump (1994)

Rate: 9
Viewed: 6/03, 5/24

FGump
5/24: I thought I would check out Forrest Gump again after not seeing it in twenty years.

What blew me away in 1994 were Gary Sinise with no legs and Tom Hanks on screen with famous dead people. So, I had to check out the DVD special features to discover how they did it. That's why Ken Ralston, George Murphy, Stephen Rosenbaum, and Allen Hall won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. I wish the MLK segment with the German Shepherd dogs was kept in the film because that one is amusing.

There's no question Tom Hanks gave an iconic James Stewart-like performance. I can't see John Travolta, the original choice who turned down the role, playing Forrest Gump, so it's a good thing he did Pulp Fiction instead which should've resulted in Best Actor Oscar. But was I annoyed by Forrest Gump? That, I have to say no. It's rather the unbelievability of the whole thing with him not understanding the significance of what just happened which is the biggest reason for my '9' rating when it's a really '10' picture all the way through. I'm ignoring the IQ crap because it's pure manipulation on the filmmakers' part and not compatible with facts.

As for the supporting performances, I find most of them weak. Gary Sinise got Oscar-nominated as Lieutenant Dan? He's just okay, but it's funny when Gary Sinise mentioned the astronaut stuff because he would star in Apollo 13 with Tom Hanks again. Robin Wright is blah as Jenny who happens to be a total wannabe loser which is weird since the whole movie is about Forrest Gump dedicating his life to her. That means Jenny never knew how good she could've had it if she stayed with him right from the beginning. When it comes to her death, I'm sure it's Hepatitis C, not AIDS, because of her intravenous drug abuse history, but it's unrealistic because she should be wasting away first before finally dying.

All in all, Forrest Gump is undoubtedly outstanding, but The Shawshank Redemption is the true Best Picture winner of 1994.