FLASHBACK Forrest Gump (1994) M15+, 142 minutes Staring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Sally Field Directed by: Robert Zemeckis Written by: Eric Roth U.S.A Box Office: US$329.691million Winner of 6 Academy Awards (1995) including Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Zemeckis),  Best Actor (Tom Hanks), Best Visual Effects (Allen Hall, George Murphy, Ken Ralston, Stephen Rosenbaum), Best Film Editing (Arthur Schmidt), Best Screenplay based on Material from Another Medium (Eric Roth) Magical Moviemaking by Kristian Guillermo Forrest Gump was one of the best films of the summer of 1994.   The film, beautifully directed by Robert Zemickis and with a superb performance from Tom Hanks, is one of those rare films that promises much and manages to deliver on all accounts. The film's hero, played by Hanks, is a slow-witted and naive man who despite having an I.Q of 75, manages to become involved in every major event in American history between the 1950's and 1980's.  Forrest visits President Kennedy in the White House, receives the Medal of Honour, goes on TV with John Lennon, and shakes hands with President Nixon. Most of these scenes were created using computer generated imaging (C.G.I).  Forrest Gump was one of the early movies to take advantage of C.G.I, demonstrating that sci-fi films are not the only genre of films that can benefit from special effects. After watching this movie for the sixth time in order to write this review, I am of the opinion that Tom Hanks may be the only actor in Hollywood who could have played Forrest Gump with any success.  His performance is simply breathtaking; Hanks just lets himself become Forrest Gump. Although Hanks' performance carries the film, the supporting cast is excellent, with Gary Sinise deserving a special mention for his role as a disabled Vietnam veteran who becomes Forrest's business partner. Forrest Gump is a memorable film that benefits from great directing, acting and special effects.  Any criticisms about it are so minor that they are really not worth mentioning.  If, for some unexplainable reason, you have not seen this marvelous film, get off the computer right now and go out and rent it.  If you have seen it, watch it again for it is still an experience to remember the second time around. Rating: *****                       << Previous