Who remembers E! True Hollywood Story? When I was first getting into my love of the film medium, I was captivated by this show. I couldn’t get enough. While all of my friends were focusing on sports, I was engrossed with the need to know more. I was a well that was ignorant of its bottom. The more I consumed, the more I wanted to know. The stories that caught my attention were mostly films. Everything from how the film started its production, the challenges it faced along the way and to the worldwide success (or cult status) it then grew to. Speaking specifically to the challenges, in some cases (*cough*cough* horror movies *cough*cough*) you have to also addressing curse. Poltergeist and the Omen are particularly coming to mind at the moment.
This show was a gateway that sucked me into the infinite loop of Hollywood. Its’ seemingly endless cycle of information, scandals and triumphs. One episode, in particular, was my introduction into Jaws. As I’ve said in past content, I grew up in a very conservative, Christian household. If anything was even remotely a tad scary, it had no place within our household. Jaws, unfortunately, would fall into that category. One of the last Halloweens that my grandmother was alive, I was over her house, watching 13 Days of Halloween on the-then, Fox Family. Lo and behold the movie that scared generations. That challenged people to stay out of the water for years finally had come on. Jaws was finally in my face. I felt that it had been hyped up so much that by the time I saw it, it sank extraordinarily below surface. I didn’t get the hype and that experience has actually turned me off from watching it again. Perhaps, though, being more mature in my film taste I should give the film another chance.
However, Jaws did stir something with me, a love of creature films. A subgenre, serving as a backdoor to horror, that would pit man against some of nature’s most dangerous monsters. Movies like Predator, Godzilla, Creature from the Black Lagoon – all started in the water with Jaws. For me, at least. Then I went through this weird lull where all of those movies just seemingly became boring. That was until 2016’s The Shallows woke that part of my film love back up. During that lull period of my life, I missed out on a lot of good, fun movies birthed in that genre. Movies that included Deep Blue Sea. The film chronicles the tale of a group of scientists who are testing an experimental drug on sharks. In efforts to end Alzheimer’s disease within humans – that is until something backfires, and the crew launches into survival mode against the ocean’s deadliest predator.
The sad truth to a lot of the films is that they feel so close together within story. So, you really have to set yourself apart, in order to stand out within the genre. Deep Blue Sea swims within neutral waters. While the film eventually falls towards the genre tropes, the narrative is actually rather endearing and impactful. The convicted performance from Saffron Burrows really helps establish the film’s attention to detail. Helping to steer it towards away from the neutral ground and allow it to stand out within the genre. Burrows is far from alone when it comes to performances. The film manages to etch out and allow each character to be compelling within their own right. Samuel L. Jackson is the man funding the entire project. While Thomas Jane is the criminal looking for redemption, who just happens to have a way with sharks. All three captivate viewers with compelling performances that equally fight for the spotlight.
Perhaps, though, not every arc will fall within that ideology. While the film’s pacing and suspense are equally strong elements, there are some elements that could learn a thing or two. LL Cool J’s character unfortunately falls into the latter. He might have a scene or two – I really want to emphasize that – but ultimately brings nothing to the table. This performance fees like a sequel to his character’s arc in Halloween: H20, only a couple of years earlier. Michael Rapaport and Stellan Skarsgard, equally fall into these waters. Both actors are nothing more than one note characters feeding into the tropes of both the monster and horror genres. The two talented actors fall into forgettability rather quickly. If that’s not bad enough, Skarsgard kicks off the movie’s predictability game in the second half. What should be suspenseful is balancing between comical and boring. Unfortunately, a biproduct of the genre.
Overall, Deep Blue Sea, is a fun monster movie but not even it can’t out swim the problems within the genre. Performances by Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson and Thomas Jane provide for interesting and compelling characters, intend on conviction. Each actor delivers arcs filled with captivation, action and intrigue that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Sea manages to successfully pace itself, equip itself brilliantly with suspense – that is until the genre tropes launch its harpoons within it. LL Cool J carries with him, a pointless arc. While Michael Rapaport and Stellan Skarsgard not only feel one-dimensional, but predictable. While Deep Blue Sea is far from perfect, these waters are still fun to be apart of.
RORSCHACH RATING:
If you or someone you know is reading this right now and you are struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message or tweet to us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!
Victims and Villains is written and produced by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey. Music by Yuriy Bespalov & Beggars. Deep Blue Sea is property of Warner Brothers Pictures. We do not own nor claim any rights.
