Into the heart of the sea review: Ron Howard’s latest film adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick’s best-selling novel tells the harrowing true story of the whaling ship, the Essex, and its fateful encounter with a massive sperm whale in 1820.
With an all-star cast including Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, and Cillian Murphy, the film takes audiences on a journey of survival and endurance, as the crew battles the elements and their own fears in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Into The Heart Of The Sea Review
Based on Nathaniel Philbrick’s non-fiction book of the same name, “Into the Heart of the Sea” tells the harrowing tale of the whaleship Essex, which was sunk by a massive sperm whale in 1820.
The story of the Essex and its crew’s struggle for survival in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was the inspiration for Herman Melville’s classic novel “Moby-Dick.”
Is “In the Heart of the Sea” based on a true story? Yes, the film is based on the true events of the Essex and its crew. While some dramatic liberties were taken in the film, the core of the story is based on historical fact.
The film follows the journey of the Essex, captained by George Pollard (Benjamin Walker) and first mate Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth). The crew, including young cabin boy Thomas Nickerson (Tom Holland), sets out on a whaling expedition to the Pacific Ocean in search of valuable whale oil.
But their journey takes a deadly turn when they are attacked by a massive sperm whale, leaving them stranded at sea with dwindling resources and no hope of rescue.
READ: Attack On Titans Review
As the crew fights to survive, they are faced with difficult moral dilemmas, including the possibility of resorting to cannibalism. The film raises thought-provoking questions about the human capacity for survival and the cost of greed.
Despite its all-star cast and the popularity of the source material, “In the Heart of the Sea” was a box office flop, grossing only $93 million on a budget of $100 million. It also received mixed reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 44%.
Matthew Joy’s cinematography in the film is breathtaking, capturing the beauty and danger of the open ocean. The special effects used to bring the massive sperm whale to life are also impressive. However, some criticized the film for its pacing and lack of character development.
The film is available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime, and can also be found on streaming platforms like Filmyzilla. It has an age rating of PG-13 for intense action and peril, and some disturbing images.
In summary, the reviewer praises the film for its stunning visuals and intense action sequences, noting that the film effectively captures the sense of danger and isolation that the sailors in the story must have felt.
READ: The Fight Club Review
However, the reviewer also notes that the film’s pacing is uneven and that some of the characters are not fully developed. Overall, the reviewer concludes that “Into the Heart of the Sea” is a visually impressive and thrilling film, but it falls short in terms of character development and pacing.
