Underwater Blu-ray Review

"Underwater" is presented on Blu-ray by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The cinematography, captured digitally at 6.5K using ARRI Alexa 65 cameras and Panavision lenses, showcases an impressive level of detail, especially in bright scenes and close-ups. Despite the challenging underwater environment, this transfer handles the intricate visuals with remarkable clarity. The film's color palette predominantly features cool blues and slate grays, accompanied by deep blacks that enhance the atmospheric tension. However, some minor banding is noticeable during scenes with varying light sources, such as helmet flashlights tipping toward the camera.

The decision not to release "Underwater" in 4K UHD is unfortunate, as the film would have greatly benefited from an HDR grade. Regardless, the 1080p Blu-ray still provides a sharp and visually stunning presentation. The digital intermediate is reported to be either 2K or 4K, but the resulting contrast and color accuracy remain excellent. The opening long tracking shot and many underwater sequences consistently showcase fine detail despite the occasional fluctuations due to handheld camera techniques. Ultimately, while there are minor imperfections such as prevalent banding, the Blu-ray presentation of "Underwater" delivers a meticulously rendered and immersive viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Underwater" features an effective DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track that immerses viewers in the film's underwater setting. From the opening moments, the audio presentation utilizes washes of low-frequency effects (LFE) paired with a heavy, low-end score that envelops the listener. The surround channels are actively engaged, maintaining a constant sense of immersion with the subwoofer frequently delivering significant bass impact. Repeated deep thunks and reverberations heighten the tension in critical scenes, creating a palpable sense of danger. Dialogue clarity is maintained throughout, ensuring comprehensibility even with accented speech.

Although the Blu-ray does not include the Dolby Atmos track present in theatrical releases—a disappointing omission—the 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track remains robust. It upmixes well via both Dolby Surround and DTS:X algorithms to maintain a high level of immersion. The sound design dynamically oscillates between quiet, tension-filled moments and explosive action sequences, surrounding the viewer with atmospheric creaks, groans, and dripping water sounds that give way to intense audio assaults during action scenes. The thunderous bass and dynamic impact provided by the mix support the visuals perfectly, especially during key moments accented by Marco Beltrami and Brandon Roberts' score. Additional audio options include English 5.1 Descriptive Audio, and Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital. Subtitles are available in English SDH, Spanish, and French, including for the commentary track.

The Blu-ray extras for "Underwater" provide a solid and comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience, offering both technical insights and entertaining commentary. The extended and deleted scenes feature optional commentary by William Eubank, Jared Purrington, and Phil Gawthorne, highlighting their thought processes and creative decisions. A unique addition is the "Real Bunny Montage," which also includes optional commentary and delivers a lighter, more humorous take. The "Making Underwater" series is divided into three featurettes that deliver in-depth explorations of the film's design, production, and creatures & visual effects, each presented with technical precision and engaging details. Additionally, the audio commentary by Eubank, Purrington, and Gawthorne may be scattershot at times but provides valuable insights into set design, costuming, and practical filming stories, enhancing the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Extended/Deleted Scenes: Optional commentary by William Eubank, Jared Purrington and Phil Gawthorne.
• Real Bunny Montage: Optional commentary by William Eubank, Jared Purrington and Phil Gawthorne.
• Design: Focus on design elements.
• Production: Exploration of production elements.
• Creatures & Visual Effects: In-depth look at visual effects.
• Audio Commentary: Insights from William Eubank, Jared Purrington and Phil Gawthorne.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer.

"Underwater" emerges as an unexpected gem in the undersea thriller genre, combining elements reminiscent of James Cameron's "The Abyss" and Ridley Scott's "Alien." Set primarily in the claustrophobic confines of a deep-sea drilling operation, the film follows engineer Norah Price (Kristen Stewart) and her colleagues as they navigate the catastrophic aftermath of an unknown seismic event. The movie’s atmospheric tension is palpable, aided by the film's visual and technical finesse which places us almost literally within the characters' pressurized helmets. The constant threat lurking in the murky waters, enhanced by Lovecraftian influences, keeps viewers on edge.

Kristen Stewart leads the cast with a Ripley-esque determination, exuding both vulnerability and resilience. Supporting performances are solid, although T.J. Miller’s character, ostensibly included for comic relief, can appear more distracting than beneficial. The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, growing increasingly suspenseful as it becomes clear that more than just natural phenomena threaten the crew's survival. The use of minimal character development—through artifacts like family photos—adds depth without needlessly diverging from the core action.

While some aspects of "Underwater" may appear formulaic or overly familiar, its effective execution and immersive setting offer a distinctly engaging experience. The production's technical achievements stand out, from detailed creature design to immersive underwater sequences. Despite being released during an inopportune time and receiving limited marketing support, "Underwater" maintains an element of surprise for first-time viewers. Notably, it succeeds in crafting a genuine sleeper hit, its mysteries and intensity remaining largely undiscovered in mainstream consciousness.

"Underwater" emerges as a suspenseful dive into the abyss, offering a familiar yet engaging experience for fans of the genre. The film’s atmosphere thrives on its claustrophobic, deep-sea setting, effectively leveraging special effects to create a palpable sense of tension. With Kristen Stewart leading the ensemble cast, her performance adds a layer of gravitas, although the presence of T.J. Miller might be polarizing for some viewers. The narrative might echo other underwater thrillers, but it remains compelling enough to capture attention.

Technically, the Blu-ray release of "Underwater" is impressive. The visual quality is sharp, preserving the movie's dark, immersive aesthetic with precision. Ambient sounds are rendered robustly within the confines of a Dolby Atmos mix, ensuring that auditory elements enhance the film’s suspenseful tone. Supplementary materials on the Blu-ray offer significant value, providing insights and behind-the-scenes content that augment the experience for aficionados. The release begs for a 4K Ultra HD counterpart to fully exploit its visual potential, an endeavor that, unfortunately, appears unlikely to materialize.

Have you seen "Underwater" before? Probably. There's no denying some of the more derivative aspects of this film, but if you simply concede that particular issue, the film does offer some anxious moments and features some generally well-done special effects. I personally could have done with considerably less T.J. Miller here, but that of course will be a matter of taste for everyone. This is no undiscovered masterpiece, but fans of Stewart, in particular, may want to check this out. Technical merits are generally solid and supplemental material very enjoyable for those who are considering a purchase.

For a film that was unceremoniously dumped into theatres, Fox has provided a nice set of extras to support their Blu-ray. Underwater cries out for a 4K Ultra HD release, but a planned Australian disc never materialized, and it’s unlikely that any other will show up to take its place. Still, there’s plenty of life left in the Blu-ray format, and this is a fine example of what it can do. Underwater deserves a wider audience in any way, shape, or form.