Deep Blue Sea Blu-ray Review

Warner’s VC-1 1080p transfer of "Deep Blue Sea" offers a solid video presentation with notable improvements over the DVD release. The image is vibrant, maintaining a film-like quality with a consistent layer of grain that enhances its authenticity. Colors are rich and detailed, with skin tones appearing natural and healthy. The disc handles contrast and black levels effectively, delivering deep shadows and maintaining detail without any crushing. Importantly, the image remains unmarred by excessive digital noise reduction (DNR) or banding, which preserves the integrity of the original print. Sequences featuring bright lights and flaming explosions are particularly searing and impactful, contributing to an engaging viewing experience.

In terms of detail, the Blu-ray excels notably in close-up scenes, where facial textures, beads of water, sweat, and blood are rendered with impressive clarity. The background and mid-range details generally stay consistent, although they can appear a touch soft due to the inherent photography style. This is especially noticeable in scenes with elaborate set designs and intricate props, where the higher definition reveals elements like rust, dirt, and equipment details more vividly than before. The cold, gray-blue palette of the film is maintained accurately, providing a deliberate, if somewhat reserved, visual atmosphere that aligns with the movie's underwater setting.

While "Deep Blue Sea’s" special effects, particularly the CG sharks, have always been dubious, this transfer does not exacerbate their faults. Despite the heightened resolution potentially worsening these effects, the integration within live-action elements appears slightly improved. Although some scenes exhibit darker tones which could obscure details further, the balance achieved ensures that the effects don't come off as overly polished or cartoonish. Overall, Warner's Blu-ray transfer brings "Deep Blue Sea" to life with a marked uptick in quality that provides a more immersive and visually dynamic experience compared to its standard-definition predecessor.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Deep Blue Sea" delivers a markedly improved experience over the original DVD audio, capturing the film's dynamic and energetic soundscape. The mix is consistently active, with bass-heavy explosions and precise directional cues, contributing to an immersive auditory environment. Notable sound design details such as waves crashing, air cannisters rattling, and even subtle metallic chimes are all present. The surround channels are frequently engaged, adding depth to the action sequences through a combination of rumbling shark impacts and roaring water effects. However, dialogues occasionally sink below the intensity of the music and effects, particularly in scenes of heightened activity, exposing a lingering issue from the original track that hasn't been completely resolved even in this lossless format.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the track excels in delivering a spacious and enveloping listening experience. The helicopter explosion and subsequent fiery surge demonstrate impactful front-to-back panning, while the smaller elements such as falling debris whistling past the listener enhance the film's multi-dimensional sound field. Dialogue primarily anchors in the center channel with accurate echoing effects, except for a few instances where it gets overwhelmed by the robust sound effects. The sonic portrayal is far from simplistic, embodying meaty action set pieces that thrust listeners into the heart of the tumultuous underwater adventure. Though not reference quality, this DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix remains a solid and muscular enhancement that significantly elevates the film’s auditory impact relative to its predecessors.

The Blu-ray extras for "Deep Blue Sea" are carried over from the previous DVD release, offering no new content but still retaining some value. Central to the extras is an audio commentary featuring Director Renny Harlin and Actor Samuel L. Jackson. Notably, Jackson exits the commentary when his character is no longer relevant to the film, leaving Harlin to provide insightful, tech-focused commentary that compensates for Jackson's abrupt departure. In addition, "When Sharks Attack" and "Sharks of the Deep Blue Sea" delve into behind-the-scenes footage and technology related to shark creation, though these documentaries are somewhat redundant and brief. There are also five deleted scenes with optional commentary from Harlin, which provide little additional value to the film. Lastly, the theatrical trailer fails to capture the essence of the movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: With Director Renny Harlin and Actor Samuel L. Jackson.
• When Sharks Attack: Behind-the-scenes piece focusing on shark elements.
• Sharks of the Deep Blue Sea: Detailed look at animatronic and real sharks used in the film.
• Deleted Scenes: Five scenes with optional commentary from Harlin.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer for the film.

"Deep Blue Sea," directed by Renny Harlin, stands as a pinnacle of popcorn entertainment, where primal fear and adrenaline-fueled heroics combine to deliver an unrelenting thrill ride. Anchored by robust performances from Thomas Jane and LL Cool J, the film compensates for less convincing portrayals by Saffron Burrows and Samuel L. Jackson. Harlin's expertise in maintaining momentum is evident; he orchestrates a series of perilous and heart-pounding scenes that keep viewers' attention unwavering. Harlin cleverly subverts typical monster movie tropes, most notably by introducing super-intelligent sharks that ultimately outwit the human researchers tampering with nature, delivering both visceral thrills and a moral warning.

Technically, "Deep Blue Sea" showcases Harlin's skill in crafting visually appealing and energetic films. The Blu-ray version amplifies these qualities with an impressive hi-def makeover, ensuring that every detail—from the mechanical sharks to the practical gore effects—is vivid and engaging. However, the film is not without flaws. Despite its frenetic pace and high-stakes scenarios, it lacks thematic depth and emotional resonance. The over-reliance on CGI for shark movements occasionally detracts, revealing the era's technological limitations. Characters are largely one-dimensional, often portrayed with a monotony that fails to elevate the narrative beyond a string of action sequences.

Despite its shortcomings, "Deep Blue Sea" is effective as a B-movie thriller. The blending of "Jaws"-like fear with "Jurassic Park"-style intrigue results in a film that's as entertaining as it is implausible. The narrative structure follows a predictable pattern of setup and shark attack, but it’s executed with enough flair to remain engaging. Harlin’s direction ensures most of the cast meets grisly ends in inventive fashion, making up for lackluster special effects with sheer audacity and suspenseful set pieces. Consequently, while "Deep Blue Sea" may not be essential viewing repeatedly, it stands as a memorable entry in the annals of action-horror cinema with its unapologetic thrill-seeking and technical prowess.

"Deep Blue Sea" is a high-octane, albeit formulaic, action-horror movie that combines elements reminiscent of 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jaws'. While the film may not ascend to the lofty heights of genre classics, it serves its purpose as a mindlessly entertaining showcase of shark attacks designed to keep the adrenaline pumping. The movie's straightforward narrative lacks substantial depth and purpose but may provide enjoyment for fans of action-heavy B-movie throwbacks.

The Blu-ray release by Warner Brothers does an admirable job of presenting the movie with strong technical fidelity in both audio and video formats. The audiovisual experience is crisp and immerses viewers with high-quality sound design that accentuates the film’s numerous action sequences. The disc also includes a modest collection of extras, sourced from the original DVD release. These supplementary materials may be enough to satiate casual viewers but are unlikely to draw significant attention from hardcore enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "Deep Blue Sea" on Blu-ray offers a competent technical showcase and enough content to warrant at least one viewing. While it may not be a timeless piece or warrant repeated viewings, it should suffice for an evening of unpretentious entertainment. Its worth primarily lies in being a rental rather than a purchase, particularly for those who appreciate the genre but have tempered expectations.