Deep Blue Sea (1999) - Review in 4K Ultra HD

      Deep Blue Sea, 1999.

      Directed by Renny Harlin.

      Featuring Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgård, LL Cool J, Michael Rapaport, and Aida Turturro.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A group of scientists working on a cure for Alzheimer’s at a remote facility encounters sharks that have gained heightened intelligence due to their experiments.

      While Jaws is often regarded as the original shark film and Jaws 2 is frequently imitated, 1999’s Deep Blue Sea has earned a unique affection among monster movie enthusiasts. This might stem from the fact that the last prominent shark film before it was Jaws: The Revenge, which occupies a singular niche, indicating a need for something fresh. With advancements in special effects since the era of malfunctioning mechanical sharks, the timing was right for the aquatic horrors to make a comeback.

      However, that was back in 1999, and much has evolved since then, as shark films are now produced seemingly every week, still drawing inspiration from Jaws 2 but featuring CGI effects that vary markedly in quality from cartoonish to “how did they achieve that?” Nonetheless, Arrow Video has decided to revisit this iconic shark film with a 4K UHD release as part of their recent upgrades of mainstream movies. But does it still stand up to the current offerings?

      Somewhat, because while Deep Blue Sea showcases impressive practical effects, the CGI has always been lacking, appearing subpar even in 1999 and not significantly improving with a 4K upgrade—though this isn't a remaster, the (slightly) enhanced contrast merely emphasizes what was already existing. The silver lining is that Deep Blue Sea was produced during an era when CGI was used to augment practical effects, not replace them. When the animatronic sharks are depicted up close, they are genuinely terrifying.

      Indeed, the sharks often steal the spotlight; despite the presence of notable cast members, the model sharks exhibit more charisma than any of the human actors. Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J seem aware of the type of film they’re in—essentially a B-movie made with a big studio budget—and adjust their performances accordingly, while rarely in blockbuster history have two leads been less charismatic than Thomas Jane and Saffron Burrows.

      Jane as shark trainer Carter Blake aims for an all-American hero vibe, attempting to combine Snake Plissken's gruffness with Indiana Jones' aloofness; however, his bleach-blond hair and vacant expressions clash with his dialogue, making him resemble a parody of Flash Gordon. Still, his performance appears almost Oscar-worthy compared to Burrows’ lifeless portrayal of Dr. Susan McAlester, the lead scientist who has defied medical protocols to artificially boost the sharks’ brain mass to produce more brain juice for Alzheimer’s research. In more capable hands, this could have been a substantial role, allowing an actor to deliver the right tone and make Dr. McAlester a character to root for or against, depending on the scene. Instead, her performance lacks charisma, and when she shares the screen with Jane, the chemistry pales in comparison to the artificial intelligence of the sharks.

      Deep Blue Sea also features Stellan Skarsgård in a role that seems better suited to someone with less screen presence, while Michael Rapaport tries to play the cool sidekick, but the script limits his personality to avoid overshadowing Jane, which he unintentionally manages to do. Nevertheless, true to its B-movie essence, the cast delivers performances that match a B (and sometimes C and D) movie, along with other plot contrivances that raise skepticism, such as how characters trapped in narrow tunnels filled with waist-high water are surprised by a colossal 45-foot, 8000-pound shark sneaking up on them. The dimensions are made clear, yet any other logic seems to vanish when chaos ensues.

      However, the essence of a B-movie is to overlook logic and enjoy the spectacle, and Deep Blue Sea is entertaining if you don’t overthink it (like questioning the presence of RoboCop/Total Recall legend Ronny Cox in a silent cameo). The sharks are genuinely frightening, especially when gliding through the dark waters surrounding the facility. There’s a wonderfully absurd kill from one character that Steven Spielberg wouldn't have dared to attempt back in the 1970s, and of course, there’s a famous moment featuring a character delivering a speech—you probably know the outcome, but if not, you’ll need to watch to find out.

      This makes Deep Blue Sea a fun, albeit flawed, cinematic experience. So, does this 4K UHD release justify an upgrade for those who already own it? If you have it only on DVD, then yes, but if you upgraded to Blu-ray previously, you might want to save your money unless you’re eager for a poster,