A research team exploring an uncharted cave system find themselves in serious trouble when a flash flood results in them being trapped underground. As the water continues to pour in, the team are forced to head deeper into the cave system to find an alternative way out.
Promoted as James Cameron's Sanctum, despite the Oscar winning director's involvement only extending to stumping up some cash for the project, this 3D aquatic adventure (actually directed by virtually unknown Aussie helmer Alister Grierson) is one of the most cliché-ridden films I reckon I have ever seen, utilising a plethora of well-worn chestnuts borrowed from a whole host of other movies (look for shades of The Poseidon Adventure, similarities to The Descent and The Cave, reminders of Daylight and Deep Blue Sea, touches of Turistas, and all sorts of stuff straight outta The Abyss).
Amazingly, despite the somewhat unethical use of Cameron's name to get bums on seats, and the unashamed use of predictable plot devices, corny character development, dumb dialogue and formulaic film-making techniques, I'm surprised to find myself actually recommending Sanctum: it's certainly no Avatar or Titanic, lacking the genuine 'wow' factor of such major 'event' movies, but it is still an enjoyable, well executed piece of escapist entertainment, full of breath-taking visuals and harrowing moments that fully exploit the claustrophobic underground environment.
Promoted as James Cameron's Sanctum, despite the Oscar winning director's involvement only extending to stumping up some cash for the project, this 3D aquatic adventure (actually directed by virtually unknown Aussie helmer Alister Grierson) is one of the most cliché-ridden films I reckon I have ever seen, utilising a plethora of well-worn chestnuts borrowed from a whole host of other movies (look for shades of The Poseidon Adventure, similarities to The Descent and The Cave, reminders of Daylight and Deep Blue Sea, touches of Turistas, and all sorts of stuff straight outta The Abyss).
Amazingly, despite the somewhat unethical use of Cameron's name to get bums on seats, and the unashamed use of predictable plot devices, corny character development, dumb dialogue and formulaic film-making techniques, I'm surprised to find myself actually recommending Sanctum: it's certainly no Avatar or Titanic, lacking the genuine 'wow' factor of such major 'event' movies, but it is still an enjoyable, well executed piece of escapist entertainment, full of breath-taking visuals and harrowing moments that fully exploit the claustrophobic underground environment.