Sanctum (2011) [Blu-ray]
Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller

Tagline: The only way out is down.

Master diver Frank McGuire leads a team - including his 17-year-old son - to explore the largest, most beautiful and least accessible cave system on Earth. But, when a tropical storm cuts off their only escape route, the team must work together to find their way through an uncharted and dangerous underwater labyrinth to make it out alive. With time running out, can they survive, or will they be trapped forever?

User Comment: pengas (pengas@gmail.com) from NYC, 18 January 2011 o first - Cameron is one of 9 producers. i can only imagine Cameron was interested in working under water. Besides that, there is nothing Jim Cameron in this movie in my opinion.

This movie is in 3D which is fun. Scenery is great, caves, water etc.

However - there is no plot what so ever. at no point did I feel compassion nor connection to any of the characters.. Those who died and those who survived. At no point did I identified myself with the plot, hoping these guys will make it out alive.

Yeah - really poor plot and boring dialogs.

Acting was good for whatever material was thrown on these poor actors..

Seriously - Don't bother with this film.

Moving along.

Summary: Don't bother.

User Comment: *** This review may contain spoilers *** autobahnsau from United States, 19 January 2011 • The script hovers around B-movie level; the characters are fairly one dimensional. That said, the leads do the best they can with the material. Roxburgh is the shining light in this dark cavernous movie. Relative newcomer Wakefield deserves kudos for getting through some physically grueling scenes while giving the stereotypical "son with absent father" some dimension. Gruffudds character rapidly deteriorates from charming daredevil to crazed selfish psychopath which is boring and predictable. He deserved better.

The old standby kills are easily telegraphed. "Sanctum" is particularly harsh to women. "Females best beware taking on the oh-so-manly task of cave diving; you WILL fail" is the message. The only moment of extreme gore is at the half way point. It was the only time there was much response in our packed theater. Do not expect to be moved or feel much connection with the characters or story.

On the upside, many of the underwater scenes are remarkable. The 3-D is not necessary but does add to the claustrophobia and disorientation the characters must battle. The cinematography and editing are fantastic and easily the best part of the film. Would have loved more panoramic establishing shots of the underground environment so that the audience could get a real feel for why these daredevils risked so much.

Many of the cave shots and renderings are breathtaking, but ultimately there is no heart and soul to either the characters, dialogue or plot. There is a reliance on bombastic music to force emotions, leaving "Sanctum" as cold and airless as the caves being explored. In the few scenes where the music was cut and all one could hear was water and breath, a larger sense of drama was invoked.

"Sanctum" is inspired by a true story. It would have benefited greatly from a more documentary perspective instead of spiraling into melodrama. The poor script and characterization are ultimately anchors that weigh the film down. "Sanctum" boasts Cameron, but this is no Avatar, it's more like the sinking of the Titanic.

Final Verdict: Skip this and see Cameron's superior "The Abyss" instead

Summary: Drowned In Melodrama.

[CSW] -3- I liked it for the cave scenery, the claustrophobic atmosphere, and tension of the unknown conclusion but just raw survival not against an enemy but the unknown labyrinth of a cave did not make for a great plot. Even though they threw in the variable and unknown nature of the psyche of different people when faced with a prolonged live-or-die situation was still not enough to push this into the better-than-good category. I wish the 2D version had D-Box motion because just that might have been enough make me want to get the 3D version.
[V3.0-A4.0] MPEG-4 AVC - No D-Box on the 2D version only the 3D version.

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