The new adventure thriller “Sanctum,” opening today (Feb. 4), is the first feature film release James Cameron has been closely involved with since he directed “Avatar” and it shows.
The Universal Pictures release from its recently sold Rogue Pictures about a group of underwater cave explorers who get cut off and struggle to find their way out, has almost no familiar people on screen or behind-the-cameras, and yet the IMAX 3D presentation manages to be engaging enough to hold our attention throughout, and even make you squirm uncomfortably in the appropriate places.
As executive producer, Cameron’s consultation work on the 3D is evident in the same kind of mostly subtle approach and even seemingly non-existent in some scenes when you can take off your glasses and see almost no sign of anything other than traditional 2D. Yet the occasional slightly protruding rock and the obvious depth of the caverns, particularly in the opening sequences, draws you in just a little more than normal.
That serves the tense drama well as we watch the group of six or seven adventurers, including a father and teenaged son with much resentment towards each other, slowly succumb to the ragged rocks, cold water, dwindling supplies of food and air, and their own treacherous personalities.
“Sanctum” opens on 178 IMAX screens domestically and 16 IMAX screens internationally, simultaneous with Universal’s release of the movie in other 3D and 2D theaters.
— By Scott Hettrick
Wow, another sub-standard piece. When the writer states “…the first feature film release James Cameron has been closely involved with since he directed “Titanic” and it shows., ” it leads the reader to expect a negative review. Yet, Hettrick goes on to state that the film “…manages to be engaging enough to hold our attention throughout, and even make you squirm uncomfortably in the appropriate places,.” further claiming that the “subtle” 3-D “…serves the tense drama well…”
If this piece is an indicator, I guess serious criticism is dead.
Marion, thanks for pointing out my typo of saying “Titanic” instead of “Avatar,” which I have revised.
Not sure why you think the sentence would lead you to expect a negative review — I think most people would think anything Cameron is involved with would have his touch on it, which “Sanctum” does, as you noted I went on to explain. Sorry you apparently came looking for serious criticism in a blog where I always offer a few sentences of description of the impact of the 3D and IMAX elements in movies.
But I encourage you to submit your more serious criticism in comments here or in guest blog.