I found this film very well-crafted and engaging. It had a bit of a Forrest Gump feel but not as comic. Beautiful cinematography and I never tire of gazing at Cate Blanchett. She is such an amazing actress with a gift for disappearing into any role. It's hard to believe I've only been aware of her since LOTR 7 years ago.

I found the addition of the "storm" an unnecessary touch, but it didn't bother me too much. Not a true tear-jerker, but many poignant moments. As my wife said, a big clue to the quality of the film is that we were both surprised upon leaving the theater to learn of the nearly 3 hour running time. It flew by.

I saw Benjamin Button with friends last weekend, and really enjoyed it.

Because of the film's length I was expecting the pace to drag occasionally, and was pleasantly surprised when it didn't; the story held my interest from start to finish. The sets/locations and wardrobe represented the various eras well without drawing attention to themselves (i.e., none of that "Hey folks, we're in the 30s now!" stuff), as well as use of various film stock and lighting to emulate the way we've previously seen these eras on film. Excellent performances by Pitt and Blanchett (who is IMO one of the best actresses working today), and a standout performance by Jared Harris as Captain Mike. And, like the visual cues, the soundtrack was subtle and unobtrusive. The "age" effects used on Pitt and Blanchett were very effective, only occasionally (and briefly) appearing unrealistic--if you know what to look for, that is; I think these minor flaws will be less obvious viewed on a smaller screen.

While watching the film I was occasionally reminded of Forrest Gump as well, mostly because Button (like Gump) simply lives his life without any real planning or forethought involved. I'd recommend this film to anyone who enjoys this kind of "character study" drama.

The "age" effects used on Pitt and Blanchett were very effective, only occasionally (and briefly) appearing unrealistic--if you know what to look for, that is; I think these minor flaws will be less obvious viewed on a smaller screen.

Did some of the mattes slip or was it color levels? :D Post was working near two years straight on face removal and replacement. I didn't see it yet, but wonder how much people realize Button's 'age effect' is full head replacement with a cg model? Brad is in it for only as long as Button is brad's age. Don't know about Cate's makeup. That was probably prosthetics.

I know 3 actors are credited as Benjamin throughout the film. All had a CG head, but wasn't the head based on Pitt with old-age makeup? It was very well done IMHO. Now, when the actor as old-age Ben was shown not interacting directly with another actor, wasn't that done by Pitt in makeup? What about just the face shots? If not, it was very well done.

Agree about Blanchett. She's a wonder. I fell in love with Galadriel and it's one of her lesser roles. She's a powerhouse.

Brad is in it for only as long as Button is brad's age. Don't know about Cate's makeup. That was probably prosthetics.
Not quite. The latest issue of Cinefex has an article on the movie. According to it, starting with the "well, you do drink a lot" scene on the tugboat, it is Brad Pitt in old age makeup. Although even then there was considerable digital enhancement. Adding wrinkles and droop, erasing seam lines, etc.

For scenes of the younger Brad and Cate, they used what is described as a "2 1/2 D" effect"; warping the image and replacing skin texture. Similar to what they did to make Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart look younger in the opening scenes of the last X-Men movie.

The article even has a step by step illustration of a close up shot during the scene where Benjamin first walks. I've only skimmed the article, but apparently the old age effects in the early scenes were entirely digital creations.

I haven't seen the movie, but both the Los Angeles Times and the independent LA WEEKLY tore the film a new one.

Did some of the mattes slip or was it color levels? :DI don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say there were some unnatural "body mechanics". At one point Button uses two canes to help him walk (because of his "condition") and it seemed his feet never touched the ground. Also, in some of the close-ups you can tell there's no "life" in his eyes (don't know how else to describe it). Again, I don't think these "tells" will be as noticeable on a screen that isn't 30 feet tall.

With Blanchett, although there was some CG work done to make her look younger in some scenes I believe all of her "aging" was done with traditional make-ups.

that double cane walking was a real guy w/a head replacement. Everything up to the Chelsea was a CG head.

I gotta read the cinefex still, but here's a super-detailed article for those interested.
http://www.vfxworld.com/?atype=articles&id=3867