I mean, Its not horrible.
Good visual effects, believeable performances and cool story.
It is hodeverk full of clichès, and that pulls down the rating for my part.
Worth a watch if you enjoy sci-fi horrors.
I went to see Underwater for one thing, and that's Kristen Stewart being badass, maybe with a side-order of since-cancelled T.J. Miller getting tortured and viciously killed by a monster. The movie delivered on that score. For a movie that cost 80 million dollars, Underwater plays as one of those little sci-fi flicks you find on Netflix and have never heard of. That is to say, it gets you into the action very quickly and almost forgets to introduce the characters. In a way, I appreciate the fact that we learn who these people are while the disaster/monster movie is going on instead of the usual formula (not that it avoids formulaic tropes), but it does make the film feel a little thin. It manages some great moments of cinematography, though a lot of the sea floor action is necessarily murky. It is literally unclear at times, but there's a sometimes visceral "you are there" quality to it. The monsters, without giving away anything, are interesting by virtue of not being one-trick ponies/visuals, but Underwater doesn't really make good on the promise of Lovecraftian existential dread made by Stewart's opening monologue. There's a psychological overlay, but it's thin. Nevertheless, this checked several boxes for me, as if produced with my particular tastes in mind.
6/10
In the future, it will be drilled for lots of oil down at the Marianer grave... Exciting. I love sci-fi. If you do? See it! Warning - some claustrophobic feelings are at risk!
We have about 30 minutes till meltdown.
And, uh, it’s gonna blow us into tiny pieces to the surface.
Am I a Kristen Stewart fan? On the contrary. To be honest, I seriously dislike this actress. Not that her acting is so terribly bad. And in a way, she’s not a bad looking young woman either. But her attitude and facial expression don’t really make her amiable. In the past I’ve already mentioned that her phlegmatic character equals that of a pancake and it seems as if her face was drenched in starch, because of her emotionless look. “Personal Shopper” and “Equals” were suitable films for this “always-seriously-looking” actress. Unfortunately, “Personal Shopper” was terribly boring and sleep-inducing. So, what convinced me to watch the movie “Underwater“? No idea. Maybe because I heard this spectacle film was kind of a mixture of “Alien” and “The Abyss”. In retrospect, this fact was also rather disappointing.
You can compare “Underwater” with a classic dish served in an average brasserie. It smells good and tastes delicious, but it lacks the finesse of a star restaurant. You don’t get excited. And you don’t look disappointed at your empty plate, hoping that a waiter comes over and asks if you want an extra portion. The only feeling left is that of recognizability. Haven’t we seen this before? And didn’t it taste the same as the last time?
I have to admit the film continues at a blistering pace. Before you realize it, the entire underwater drilling platform collapses and Norah (Kristen Stewart) must hurry through destroyed corridors and debris-filled compartments. A claustrophobic spectacle that takes place seven miles deep at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest known spot in the ocean. At first glance, it appears to be an undersea earthquake that causes Norah and some survivors quickly have to figure out an escape scenario. But when they step along the ocean floor, in heavy, futuristic-looking wetsuits (“Pacific Rim” inspired gear), it soon becomes clear that it’s something else that’s attacking them. Once again, it’s humanity that pushed the boundaries. Like the speleologists in “The Silence“, the drilling company most likely is the cause of unearthly creatures surfacing. In short, they have tapped into the wrong source while drilling for raw materials.
I myself had that feeling of breathlessness while watching “Underwater”. When you realize that this crew is surrounded by millions of tons of ocean water that presses on them with crushing force, you wouldn’t want to trade places with them for any money in the world. A stumbling walk through pitch-black darkness, knowing that you could run out of oxygen anytime, your pressure suit could implode due to a construction fault or a strange underwater monster sucking the life out of you in a fraction of a second. I’d hyperventilate and show panicky behavior for less. “Underwater” is a suitable film for viewers who prefer to watch a movie that is packed with persistent action scenes. So preferably, no character development or a sophisticated storyline that’s being built up in a subtle way. In short, for fans of fast food chains and fast microwave meals (Indeed, I am quite culinary-inspired today).
Although you can admire a multitude of fantastic underwater footage (and making underwater images is no easy task), the fact it all takes place underwater (hence the film-title) is a disadvantage to the film. The images aren’t really clear and most of the time blurred and hazy. Especially during the vigorous moments when the sea monsters play an important role. Thus, the moments when the crew experienced a life-threatening situation, the footage didn’t have the desired impact most of the time. And that was the biggest turnoff for me. The lack of any tension. It’s not a completely boring film, but there wasn’t really nail-biting suspense. No astonishing plot twists or surprises. In addition, none of the actors really stood out. They were all uninteresting, two-dimensional characters, to say the least. I can’t really call “Underwater” impressive. Even Kirsten Stewart’s ultra-short bleached haircut didn’t have the desired shock effect. And to be honest, it didn’t help that she walked around half of the movie in her underwear. If they had chosen Scarlett Johansson instead, it would have made an impression. In that case, the three-dimensional aspect of the character Norah would come across much better! Significantly better!
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Comments 1 - 11 of 11
selcukgucer
a wet "Alien remake"Sk1337
I mean, Its not horrible.Good visual effects, believeable performances and cool story.
It is hodeverk full of clichès, and that pulls down the rating for my part.
Worth a watch if you enjoy sci-fi horrors.
SpacedJ
Emily: I have a corgi.Norah: What's his name?
Both look over at Susan Bechdel holding her clipboard.
Norah: We done here?
Siskoid
I went to see Underwater for one thing, and that's Kristen Stewart being badass, maybe with a side-order of since-cancelled T.J. Miller getting tortured and viciously killed by a monster. The movie delivered on that score. For a movie that cost 80 million dollars, Underwater plays as one of those little sci-fi flicks you find on Netflix and have never heard of. That is to say, it gets you into the action very quickly and almost forgets to introduce the characters. In a way, I appreciate the fact that we learn who these people are while the disaster/monster movie is going on instead of the usual formula (not that it avoids formulaic tropes), but it does make the film feel a little thin. It manages some great moments of cinematography, though a lot of the sea floor action is necessarily murky. It is literally unclear at times, but there's a sometimes visceral "you are there" quality to it. The monsters, without giving away anything, are interesting by virtue of not being one-trick ponies/visuals, but Underwater doesn't really make good on the promise of Lovecraftian existential dread made by Stewart's opening monologue. There's a psychological overlay, but it's thin. Nevertheless, this checked several boxes for me, as if produced with my particular tastes in mind.Emiam
6/10In the future, it will be drilled for lots of oil down at the Marianer grave... Exciting. I love sci-fi. If you do? See it! Warning - some claustrophobic feelings are at risk!
BLJNBrouwer
Underwater everyone can hear you screamEarring72
Familiair but actually well made underwater Alien ripp off. Not bad, quickly paced and tenseToastinator
Mostly boringForzelius
Shooting took place in the spring of 2017 - so that's why TJ Miller is part of it. Should be semi-blacklisted now.Ronet
One of those random late night sci-fi flicks you can alter late in the post-production stage just enough to add a Cloverfield name to it.ikkegoemikke
We have about 30 minutes till meltdown.And, uh, it’s gonna blow us into tiny pieces to the surface.
Am I a Kristen Stewart fan? On the contrary. To be honest, I seriously dislike this actress. Not that her acting is so terribly bad. And in a way, she’s not a bad looking young woman either. But her attitude and facial expression don’t really make her amiable. In the past I’ve already mentioned that her phlegmatic character equals that of a pancake and it seems as if her face was drenched in starch, because of her emotionless look. “Personal Shopper” and “Equals” were suitable films for this “always-seriously-looking” actress. Unfortunately, “Personal Shopper” was terribly boring and sleep-inducing. So, what convinced me to watch the movie “Underwater“? No idea. Maybe because I heard this spectacle film was kind of a mixture of “Alien” and “The Abyss”. In retrospect, this fact was also rather disappointing.
You can compare “Underwater” with a classic dish served in an average brasserie. It smells good and tastes delicious, but it lacks the finesse of a star restaurant. You don’t get excited. And you don’t look disappointed at your empty plate, hoping that a waiter comes over and asks if you want an extra portion. The only feeling left is that of recognizability. Haven’t we seen this before? And didn’t it taste the same as the last time?
I have to admit the film continues at a blistering pace. Before you realize it, the entire underwater drilling platform collapses and Norah (Kristen Stewart) must hurry through destroyed corridors and debris-filled compartments. A claustrophobic spectacle that takes place seven miles deep at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest known spot in the ocean. At first glance, it appears to be an undersea earthquake that causes Norah and some survivors quickly have to figure out an escape scenario. But when they step along the ocean floor, in heavy, futuristic-looking wetsuits (“Pacific Rim” inspired gear), it soon becomes clear that it’s something else that’s attacking them. Once again, it’s humanity that pushed the boundaries. Like the speleologists in “The Silence“, the drilling company most likely is the cause of unearthly creatures surfacing. In short, they have tapped into the wrong source while drilling for raw materials.
I myself had that feeling of breathlessness while watching “Underwater”. When you realize that this crew is surrounded by millions of tons of ocean water that presses on them with crushing force, you wouldn’t want to trade places with them for any money in the world. A stumbling walk through pitch-black darkness, knowing that you could run out of oxygen anytime, your pressure suit could implode due to a construction fault or a strange underwater monster sucking the life out of you in a fraction of a second. I’d hyperventilate and show panicky behavior for less. “Underwater” is a suitable film for viewers who prefer to watch a movie that is packed with persistent action scenes. So preferably, no character development or a sophisticated storyline that’s being built up in a subtle way. In short, for fans of fast food chains and fast microwave meals (Indeed, I am quite culinary-inspired today).
Although you can admire a multitude of fantastic underwater footage (and making underwater images is no easy task), the fact it all takes place underwater (hence the film-title) is a disadvantage to the film. The images aren’t really clear and most of the time blurred and hazy. Especially during the vigorous moments when the sea monsters play an important role. Thus, the moments when the crew experienced a life-threatening situation, the footage didn’t have the desired impact most of the time. And that was the biggest turnoff for me. The lack of any tension. It’s not a completely boring film, but there wasn’t really nail-biting suspense. No astonishing plot twists or surprises. In addition, none of the actors really stood out. They were all uninteresting, two-dimensional characters, to say the least. I can’t really call “Underwater” impressive. Even Kirsten Stewart’s ultra-short bleached haircut didn’t have the desired shock effect. And to be honest, it didn’t help that she walked around half of the movie in her underwear. If they had chosen Scarlett Johansson instead, it would have made an impression. In that case, the three-dimensional aspect of the character Norah would come across much better! Significantly better!
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