not2sharp
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
- Messages
- 20,460
I just return from seeing this one and I am happy to say that it is far better then the critics had led me to believe. It is a basic action adventure/survival movie which can fairly be compare to The Edge (1997). We lose the giant bear, and add a bigger and more lethal protagonist in the form of the cave. The acting for both films is comparable and for the most part shallow; but that's par for the course in an action film, where the human actors have to play second fiddle to giant bear, or a cave, and it is the cave that make this one work. This is by far the most interesting, beautiful, terrifying, and accurately potrayed cavern yet captured on film.
A few years ago we were treated to The Cave (2005), and Descent (2005), both of which were fun and had some imaginative, if disjointed underground scenery, but those quickly retreated to the tried-and-true man-eating monster theme, where the setting was quickly forgotten. I remember when I was watching those films, that I felt that the monsters were an unnecessary addition; that real caving, and especially cave diving presented more then ample dangers, and would probably be a far bigger danger then a pack of canibalistic troglodites. Sanctum provides us with a realization of that idea.
It has its flaws. Cavers who explore deep caves are usually a very professional and aggressive breed which often combine the endurance and competitiveness of high altitude montain climbers with high degrees of engineering and geological/ecological training. It is a very serious business with little room for some of the rank amateurs portrayed here. Given a chance to develop interesting and fresh character studies, the film makers chose to go with the usual slate of tired pre-packaged misfits.
The logistics of caving is mind numbing: there is virtually no chance of rescue or recovery (think Chilean Miners - and add unexplored natural environment); the technology from diving equipment to line rigging is much more advanced then moutaineering; the environmental conditions are wet and brutal, cold, and sometimes poisonous; and, you are doing everything in a world that is totally without light. Which are all points that are understated in this movie, which is a shame since it would have help the audience to better appreciate their dilema.
In particular cavers crave and value light and tend to carry as much of it as they possibly can it is the single most important item after breatheable air - the film characters are shown carrying less light then they should and expending them rather wrecklessly. But then, this is a film after all, and how much time can you spend showing a character changing batteries, bulbs; or repairing carbide lamps; or retrieving yet another light out of their kit? Clearly, it is their limited light inventory which is should be driving these characters to push the cave; but, since it is never said, some are left with the impression that the plot is weaker then it is.
Flaws aside, it is a fast and engaging adventure tale that will keep you will keep you on the edge of your seat from beggining to end. It should earn an Oscar or two for photography and set design, which are simply terrific and brilliantly done.
n2s
A few years ago we were treated to The Cave (2005), and Descent (2005), both of which were fun and had some imaginative, if disjointed underground scenery, but those quickly retreated to the tried-and-true man-eating monster theme, where the setting was quickly forgotten. I remember when I was watching those films, that I felt that the monsters were an unnecessary addition; that real caving, and especially cave diving presented more then ample dangers, and would probably be a far bigger danger then a pack of canibalistic troglodites. Sanctum provides us with a realization of that idea.
It has its flaws. Cavers who explore deep caves are usually a very professional and aggressive breed which often combine the endurance and competitiveness of high altitude montain climbers with high degrees of engineering and geological/ecological training. It is a very serious business with little room for some of the rank amateurs portrayed here. Given a chance to develop interesting and fresh character studies, the film makers chose to go with the usual slate of tired pre-packaged misfits.
The logistics of caving is mind numbing: there is virtually no chance of rescue or recovery (think Chilean Miners - and add unexplored natural environment); the technology from diving equipment to line rigging is much more advanced then moutaineering; the environmental conditions are wet and brutal, cold, and sometimes poisonous; and, you are doing everything in a world that is totally without light. Which are all points that are understated in this movie, which is a shame since it would have help the audience to better appreciate their dilema.
In particular cavers crave and value light and tend to carry as much of it as they possibly can it is the single most important item after breatheable air - the film characters are shown carrying less light then they should and expending them rather wrecklessly. But then, this is a film after all, and how much time can you spend showing a character changing batteries, bulbs; or repairing carbide lamps; or retrieving yet another light out of their kit? Clearly, it is their limited light inventory which is should be driving these characters to push the cave; but, since it is never said, some are left with the impression that the plot is weaker then it is.
Flaws aside, it is a fast and engaging adventure tale that will keep you will keep you on the edge of your seat from beggining to end. It should earn an Oscar or two for photography and set design, which are simply terrific and brilliantly done.
n2s