Deep Blue Sea

[yoloswegmaster]

THE ULTIMATE PREDATOR JUST GOT SMARTER.

From Renny Harlin, maximalist director of Die Hard II, Cliffhanger and The Long Kiss Goodnight, comes Deep Blue Sea, a shark-infested action-thriller where everyone is on the menu.

At an isolated research facility in the middle of the ocean, a team of scientists, led by Susan McAlester (Saffron Burrows), are working on a cure for Alzheimer’s by genetically altering the brains of sharks. When a shark escapes and attacks a pleasure boat, the company sponsoring the research threatens to pull its funding and sends corporate executive Russell Franklin (Samuel L. Jackson) to investigate. McAlester has just 48 hours to prove the value of her work, but her experiments have made the sharks smarter. No longer happy to be injected, prodded, and caged, they begin to turn the tables. As a freak storm causes chaos on the surface, making it impossible to leave, the facility is flooded and the scientists must fight to survive against the rising water and the hungry sharks that now swim freely through the corridors.

Embracing action, horror and suspense with a knowing sense of humour and pushing them all as far as they can go, Deep Blue Sea is an adrenaline rush of pure entertainment presented in a brand new 4K restoration approved by director Renny Harlin. Come on in, the water’s great!

4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

Brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films approved by director Renny Harlin
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation
Original DTS HD-MA 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio options
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary by screenwriter Duncan Kennedy
Brand new audio commentary by filmmaker and critic Rebekah McKendry
Archive audio commentary by director Renny Harlin and star Samuel L. Jackson
From the Frying Pan… into the Studio Tank, a new interview with production designer William Sandell
Beneath the Surface, a new visual essay by film critic Trace Thurman
When Sharks Attack: The Making of Deep Blue Sea, an archive featurette
The Sharks of the Deep Blue Sea, an archive featurette
Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary by director Renny Harlin
Theatrical trailer
Image gallery
Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Luke Preece
60-page perfect bound collector's book containing new writing by film critics Josh Hurtado, Jennie Kermode, and Murray Leeder, plus previously unseen production art and designs
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Luke Preece
Postcards from Aquatica

[domino harvey]

An agreeably entertaining blockbuster action movie, but I’m fine with my $4 Blu-ray

[ryannichols7]

I don't think I remember Samuel L. Jackson being on a commentary track for any movie before? I assume that's kinda worthwhile?

[domino harvey]

I think he was on Sphere’s too

[Drucker]

What do you mean? The commentary on this track has been available for years.

[domino harvey]

If you somehow haven’t had this film already spoiled for you, be aware that the above link is an enormous spoiler

[colinr0380]

Though if you are coming just for Samuel L. Jackson's commentary contribution, you should be aware that

SpoilerShow

at the point where he gets eaten by the shark (by the way, freeze frame him as he waves goodbye in that shot for an indication of how seriously he was taking the project!), Jackson peaces out saying he's off to play golf!

I kind of like the film, and its impossibly starry cast, especially for the initial sequence of things going bad which impressively escalates the disaster from Stellan Skarsgard getting his arm bitten off, to storm sequence, to helicopter accident, to the flooding lab scene. It doesn't really get better than that, although LL Cool J gets to banter a bit with a bird.

And I remember watching this with my mum when it was new and we were both rather in agreement that Saffron Burrows is made into the "Ultimate British Baddie"(TM) in some of her utterly dumb character motivations in this film, particularly in the final sequence where (major spoilers):

SpoilerShow

She pointlessly sacrifices herself in order to give Thomas Jane's character a chance to escape, but he just waits around for the shark to eat her, thereby nullifying her single slightly redeeming 'heroic' act!

[domino harvey]

I think, beyond even the most famous death in the film, the movie has a good sense of humor about toying with audience familiarity with existing tropes and cliches around who survives without it being too on the nose

[colinr0380]

It is especially amusing to contrast the ending of this to who lives and dies in that Peter Weller underwater film Leviathan from a decade earlier!

Spoilers for ending of Leviathan (1989) and Deep Blue Sea (1999)Show

i.e. in Leviathan Ernie Hudson goes down fighting the monster, letting Peter Weller and the heroine escape; whilst in Deep Blue Sea Saffron Burrows gets eaten, allowing Thomas Jane and LL Cool J to paddle off into the sunset together!

[colinr0380]

Also if Arrow are courting suggestions for more Renny Harlin titles to pursue, I would be really curious to see Legend of the Ancient Sword some time, which had Harlin going to China to direct a film (post his Jackie Chan-Johnny Knoxville team up in Skiptrace) at the height of Hollywood courting that market in the late 2010s.

[domino harvey]

I have to assume the Long Kiss Goodnight is high on Arrow’s list from WB, but we won’t see it until we get closer to Christmas (a future one)

[colinr0380]

It just isn't Christmas until Geena Davis compassionately breaks a deer's neck with her bare hands.

[dwk]

Reports that the music cuts out during the end credits on the Atmos track. the 5.1 track plays correctly through the credits.