Unlimitedia
Sick Product of a Sick System
Helloturia
I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.
Derry Herrera
Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.
Juana
what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.
The Movie Diorama
The only reason this film gained traction was due to Cameron having his name attached as executive producer. Remove that, and I doubt many would've seen this, proving that a glorified name drop is still a tangible marketing technique. Alas, this cave diving expedition becomes washed up rather rapidly, descending into a spiral of predictable clichés. Based on co-writer Wight's own experience, an expedition exploring an underwater cave system goes awry after an unpredictable cyclone floods the hollow. Transforming what looked like a made-for-TV documentary into a made-for-TV disaster survival film. It's unfortunate that the monotonous acting, dull expendable characters, obvious green screen, predictable plot and impersonal screenplay resulted in a low quality film that has all the aesthetic appeal of a TV release. The cinematic scope is only upheld by the breathtaking underwater sequences, where O'Loughlin's cinematography really shines amidst the murky depths. A few scenes of tension as individuals burrow through tight passageways or attempt to flee the flooding caverns, but it's not enough to overcome the incredibly obvious flaws that have not made the film age well. The disposable crew reek of stupidity. When a renowned cave diving expert commands "you need to wear the wet suit" and you reluctantly reply "I'm not putting it on", well your life expectancy has diminished substantially. "Don't use the knife", she uses the knife. "Don't shine your torch at her", he shines the torch at her. I understand the heightened state of mind, but these lines of advice should've been adhered to and consequently result in characters that you don't relate to. Actions have consequences. Also thrown into the mix is a clichéd collapsed father and son relationship that, whilst provide some emotional moments and is well acted by Roxburgh, feels far too forced. The inevitable character deaths weren't memorable, obvious green screen is obvious (like really obvious) and Grierson's direction was rather lacklustre. The mediocrity kept pouring in.
stunt-797-75665
First thing I sense and think that a movie will be bad is faces of actors and things they talk etc. Here I see Justin Bieber and I know what follows... Fake cool-dude useless dialogs and... laugh. When they laugh loudly at the beginning I know a film is disaster. I had to fast forward. No real story here, no arc, no script, no plot, no character development. Wooden dialogues and water. No but thanks. I'm out of here. Jaws are still a role model for water movies. Thanks Steven-like in Allen's case you made your first movies classics. Later on just no.
alain-leccia
I remember watching this movie with my mom in our small town theater. It was in 3D, we didn't know much besides that - only that it was about discovery and danger, and that James Cameron produced it. I honestly wasn't expecting something this visceral and scary and wonderful. The 3D was beautiful and really immersive - for 2009, it's truly amazing - and the directing is just perfect. This movie was a huge surprise but something that I do not want to watch again, and here's why: this movie was a cinematic experience and I do not think I will enjoy the movie as much on a 2D television. If you really want to watch this great motion picture, you'll need a great 3D TV and, not being an owner of one, I don't know if there's one capable of the same abilities a theater has. It's a ride. Imagine the space-mountain, but as a movie about claustrophobia and underground discoveries - here you know what Sanctum is. And this is why I think this movie got some bad reviews : because I think many of the people who watched it didn't watch as it should have been seen. It's like experiencing a Ferrari but without driving, you don't get all of the adrenaline and feelings. So here's my advice : if you have an amazing 3D television, buy the 3D Blu-ray and watch this movie. If you don't, wait until you get one to see it because honestly, it's worth it. And don't spoil yourself the movie, keep the surprise 'til the end, don't try to know what the movie really is about!
StuOz
People are trapped in a cave.A disaster movie made in this century that is not totally swamped with CGI. Could it be? Yes...that makes this film a bit different and very welcome.This all seems rather human and well done. I was fine with all the actors involved. There were times when I was reminded of some 1970s disaster movie I saw decades ago.Filmed on a studio set rather than a real cave...but it fooled me. Perhaps this film will get the younger crowd running to DVDs stores wanting to see how the disaster movie genre first started in the 1970s. And that can only be a good thing.PS Most of the cast are in fact Australian