Chicago – If “Avatar” stood as a reminder of James Cameron’s undying popularity with audiences, “Sanctum” stands as proof that Cameron’s name alone can’t always sell a picture. Though the filmmaker merely served as executive producer of this murky thriller, the screen overflows with his signature tropes: underwater landscapes, 3D photography, hokey characters and pedestrian dialogue.
It nearly comes as a shock to discover that “Sanctum” was in fact not written and directed by the technologically ambitious, proudly commercial auteur. This sophomore directorial effort from Alister Grierson (“Kokoda”) is the sort of trash entertainment that undiscerning FEARnet subscribers may appreciate. The film prides itself on being devoid of the usual knee-jerk scares in cave-bound pictures, though it’s no less formulaic or artificial than any run-of-the-mill studio product.
Blu-Ray Rating: 2.5/5.0
Viewers don’t have to be connoisseurs of clichés in order to predict every twist and turn after...
It nearly comes as a shock to discover that “Sanctum” was in fact not written and directed by the technologically ambitious, proudly commercial auteur. This sophomore directorial effort from Alister Grierson (“Kokoda”) is the sort of trash entertainment that undiscerning FEARnet subscribers may appreciate. The film prides itself on being devoid of the usual knee-jerk scares in cave-bound pictures, though it’s no less formulaic or artificial than any run-of-the-mill studio product.
Blu-Ray Rating: 2.5/5.0
Viewers don’t have to be connoisseurs of clichés in order to predict every twist and turn after...
- 6/9/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
[Note: This review was taken from Jon Peters' 3D viewing of theatrical release, and while his views remain the same, this Blu-ray review is for the 2D version only.]
The Film:
I find plenty of assurance in my personal stance that I’ll never go cave exploring. I’m not claustrophobic, but it’s the fact of what plays out in Sanctum that terrifies me: stupidity. These seemingly experts, with all of the tech and “years” of first-hand experience, are nothing more than archetypes for the Dead Teenager genre, a lifeless term Roger Ebert invented to explain teenagers doing stupid stuff that get them killed. Based on screenwriter Andrew Wight’s near-death experience of leading a diving expedition miles into a system of underwater caves, Sanctum showcases a lesson in what not to do in both real-life and in film.
James Cameron’s name is freely thrown around in the advertising, and it’s not just because he executive produced it, but it’s a child of his Avatar 3D technology. Sadly, director Alister Grierson isn’t James Cameron,...
The Film:
I find plenty of assurance in my personal stance that I’ll never go cave exploring. I’m not claustrophobic, but it’s the fact of what plays out in Sanctum that terrifies me: stupidity. These seemingly experts, with all of the tech and “years” of first-hand experience, are nothing more than archetypes for the Dead Teenager genre, a lifeless term Roger Ebert invented to explain teenagers doing stupid stuff that get them killed. Based on screenwriter Andrew Wight’s near-death experience of leading a diving expedition miles into a system of underwater caves, Sanctum showcases a lesson in what not to do in both real-life and in film.
James Cameron’s name is freely thrown around in the advertising, and it’s not just because he executive produced it, but it’s a child of his Avatar 3D technology. Sadly, director Alister Grierson isn’t James Cameron,...
- 6/7/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Although James Cameron’s Avatar hasn’t yet made it out on Blu-ray 3D for wide purchase, available only in bundles with Panasonic hardware, the filmmaker who’s one of 3D’s biggest fans will see his next movie released on Blu-ray 3D the same date it hits the regular formats. Sanctum will arrive on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on June 7 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
The underwater adventure movie wasn’t a big hit in theaters, grossing only $23 million in wide release, but it bowed with mixed reviews and the knowledge that although Cameron’s name was on the poster, he was producing, not directing. Helming duties were done by Alister Grierson in only his second feature film after the action movie Kokoda in 2006.
Sanctum also didn’t have any big name stars to entice viewers, like The Tourist did with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Not to...
The underwater adventure movie wasn’t a big hit in theaters, grossing only $23 million in wide release, but it bowed with mixed reviews and the knowledge that although Cameron’s name was on the poster, he was producing, not directing. Helming duties were done by Alister Grierson in only his second feature film after the action movie Kokoda in 2006.
Sanctum also didn’t have any big name stars to entice viewers, like The Tourist did with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Not to...
- 3/30/2011
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
If James Cameron’s upcoming 3-D blockbuster “Avatar” doesn’t look like your kind of thing, perhaps you’ll be interested in a smaller, more serious 3-D film from the man who gave us “Titanic.” Following all of last week's "Avatar" hype, the Oscar-winning filmmaker is back in the news for a much different project he’s shepherding called “Sanctum.” This film will also be made with Cameron’s new 3-D cameras and technology, but it will be more independent and have a much, much, much lower budget ($30 million).
“Sanctum” is based on a true story about a diving expedition gone wrong, though this is no underwater documentary a la "Ghosts of the Abyss." For one thing, Cameron’s not directing. Instead, Australian filmmaker Alister Grierson will be taking the helm in a partnership being compared to the recent mentoring team-up of Neill Blomkamp and Peter Jackson for “District 9.
“Sanctum” is based on a true story about a diving expedition gone wrong, though this is no underwater documentary a la "Ghosts of the Abyss." For one thing, Cameron’s not directing. Instead, Australian filmmaker Alister Grierson will be taking the helm in a partnership being compared to the recent mentoring team-up of Neill Blomkamp and Peter Jackson for “District 9.
- 8/24/2009
- by Christopher Campbell
- MTV Movies Blog
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