It may be something of a cliché to say Forrest Gump is your favorite film – but Forrest Gump is my absolute, all-time favorite film.
Why? It’s actually down to a number of reasons – the first being that, quite simply, it’s just so damn likeable. As with the Robert Zemeckis movies prior to Forrest Gump (like Back to the Future and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?), it has an undeniable charm that few films are lucky enough to be imbued with – which allows the lovable Southerner of the title to find a little place in our heart and nestle in for the long-run. This is in no short part due to the film’s powerhouse performance from Tom Hanks, whose turn as the eponymous character not only earned him his second Oscar win, but also earned him a place upon a pedestal that is only shared by an elite group of actors.
It seems a shame many of us were never able to see the film in all its glory on the big screen. My saying this alone is a testament to the power of Winston Groom’s character and the film’s place in the annals of American cinema, in that it connects with future and past generations alike – you could say it’s the ultimate family film in this regard.
But fear not, youthful Gump fans, we’ll now have the chance to see the modern classic in cinemas – and on the biggest screen of them all: in glorious IMAX. Yes, come September 5th, 2014, Forrest Gump will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special re-release. There’s no word as of yet on whether there will be a special-edition Blu-Ray and DVD available to help celebrate the anniversary, but this is an opportunity few fans can afford to miss.
Although the film won’t turn as many heads as the recent re-release of Jurassic Park did in its latest theatrical run, the concept of Forrest Gump alone lends itself to at least one big screen viewing. From the war scenes to the cunningly hilarious effects work done on historical footage, Forrest Gump is a truly an epic – but one emblazoned with as much class and heart as scope.
We’ll be going to see it again – will you? Let us know in the comments section below!