Widely regarded as "that other movie based on a book by the guy who wrote
Jaws,"
The Deep is a different sort of adventure, with only an ocean setting and Robert Shaw's presence to link the two. This is probably why it suffered in the eyes of many fans and critics, for anyone looking for something in the
Jaws vein was bound to be disappointed. Yet that's more than a tad unfair, for while it may not be as good as
Jaws (which just so happens to be my favorite movie) and it has precious little in common with that Spielberg blockbuster, it's still a quality motion picture. Anyone who is fascinated by the ocean is bound to be delighted by the spectacular locales and the impressive underwater cinematography. Those who like a good old-fashioned adventure will greatly enjoy watching Shaw, Nick Nolte, and Jacqueline Bisset vie for a sunken treasure while being menaced by Louis Gossett and his drug-dealing goons. There's a huge moray eel that plays a considerable role in determining who survives this daring struggle, and there are voodoo scare tactics, frantic chases, and fisticuffs to keep things lively when our heroes aren't exploring the depths of those spellbinding Bermuda waters. I'm a big fan of the novel and I believe that this movie directed by Peter Yates is a worthy adaptation of Peter Benchley's work. There are a few minor discrepancies and the book was better, but isn't that always the case? Yes, both the book and the film version of
Jaws were superior, though I think it's pretty close on both counts
. That shouldn't deter anyone from exploring
The Deep, however, as it
is a rich film that is very beautiful and very exciting.
Final Grade: B+
 |
This dude scared the hell out of me when I was kid.
Honestly, I still don't want to hang out with him. Not even a little bit. |
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