Disc Reviews
Deep Blue Sea 4K Review
Scientists working in an underwater lab out at sea are testing on Mako sharks to produce a new drug that will have world-changing effects on brain disease. The trouble with this is that they are making the sharks smarter, and pretty soon the Sharks want out of the pen and set about (through no small measure of contrivances) destroying the facility, chomping down on the staff and then making their glorious escape! So, it’s a race against time and the elements if anyone is to survive and stop the beasts.
Somehow, Renny Harlin’s total B-movie of a shark film has managed to survive the decades and remain one of the best all-time killer shark films out there. The film is dumb, often stupid, and does some questionable things throughout. But it is also very self-aware of what it is doing, which is perhaps why it has managed to survive so long at sea. Most of the shark films that have come after simply shat the bed by playing their cards too straight, not delivering on convincing effects work and usually populated with dumb teen characters. There have been exceptions, but Deep Blue Sea didn’t do too bad a job at the time with its recognizable supporting cast of fodder from Hollywood’s popular supporting role elite (LL Cool J, Stellan Skarsgard, Michael Rappaport), along with up-and-coming Thomas Jane as your macho hero ready to do a lot of the wet work in-between.
Two new commentaries have been added, along with an archival one from the director and Sam Jackson (recorded separately). The latter is actually good fun, especially from Jackson’s point of view, who enjoys rambling and laughing over the screen events as they unfold. Don’t expect him to be present for the second half of the commentary, however!
There’s an interview with the production designer, which is interesting as well as a visual essay (well, it is Arrow Video, which highlights some of the stronger themes in the film).
Arrow do a decent job getting their visual essays in the can and a few interviews, but you do wish they were able to grab hold of a few of the prominent names attached to the film. Either they need time to network further or need a bigger budget to be able to lure in bigger fish. But, having said that, the films are what usually get the best treatment first. We need to be thankful that Arrow are delivering these films in worthy condition and making them available in the UK as so many films are neglected over here. Arrow are helping to sustain the physical media market and the quality that buyers demand come with them.
Steven Hurst
4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• Brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films approved by director Renny Harlin
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation
• Original DTS HD-MA 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary by screenwriter Duncan Kennedy
• Brand new audio commentary by filmmaker and critic Rebekah McKendry
• Archive audio commentary by director Renny Harlin and star Samuel L. Jackson
• From the Frying pan… into the Studio Tank, a new interview with production designer William Sandell
• Beneath the Surface, a new visual essay by film critic Trace Thurman
• When Sharks Attack: The Making of Deep Blue Sea, an archive featurette
• The Sharks of the Deep Blue Sea, an archive featurette
• Deleted Scenes with optional audio commentary by director Renny Harlin
• Theatrical Trailer
• Image Gallery
• Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Luke Preece
• 60-page perfect bound collectors book containing new writing by film critics Josh Hurtado, Jennie Kermode, and Murray Leeder, plus previously unseen production art and designs
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Luke Preece
• Postcards from Aquatica
Deep Blue Sea 4K is out on 17th March 2025