Black Sea

Focus Features | Release Date: January 23, 2015

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 74 Ratings

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EdeltraudFeb 3, 2015

I really wanted this to be a good movie. Jude Law has evolved so powerfully from his pretty boy days and he's awesome. I'd love to see him get a turn as James Bond.
Back to Black Sea.
The score is that horrible, recycled actionhorrorI really wanted this to be a good movie. Jude Law has evolved so powerfully from his pretty boy days and he's awesome. I'd love to see him get a turn as James Bond.
Back to Black Sea.
The score is that horrible, recycled actionhorror driving music that tells you what to feel when nothing is happening. When a film is good enough, you don't need manipulative music to explain things.
There are several implausible plot points (can you really surface like that and not get the bends?) and a bunch of predictable stuff (although, there are a few surprises.)
The cinematography was so-so. There was an opportunity to show more of the sub's path and obstacles but it was all quite murky. But the close-ups on the characters were compelling.
The cast was good, the culture clash interesting enough (although a little cliche). There were several spots that dragged in between the crash and burn.
Still, I was engaged and entertained enough for a winter's night. But as others have noted, it is grim.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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ParkerCriticMar 6, 2015

Black Sea gave good acting and character development. It failed with poor technical accuracy. The failed drive shaft is actually the crankshaft from an engine, which served no purpose in the sub. Removing it from another sub that has been onBlack Sea gave good acting and character development. It failed with poor technical accuracy. The failed drive shaft is actually the crankshaft from an engine, which served no purpose in the sub. Removing it from another sub that has been on the bottom of the sea for years? Not likely!!! To exit the sub, the last guy can open the inner and outer doors and swim out. Sure, it floods the torpedo room but you can get out.
Takes some tweaking of the controls but you can make it happen.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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quincytheodoreJun 6, 2015

Dark and gritty, but also trapped by shallow unrealistic delivery. There's always a niche appeal for submarine stories. The very concept promises many characters sharing a mutual predicament while confined in the depths. Black Sea offersDark and gritty, but also trapped by shallow unrealistic delivery. There's always a niche appeal for submarine stories. The very concept promises many characters sharing a mutual predicament while confined in the depths. Black Sea offers decent psychological thriller with its good set-up and claustrophobic cinematography, but the personalities often do stupid things just for the sake of drama. One must wonder if the problems here could've been resolved with proper human interactions, such as conversations without violence undertone or not resorting to outright violence on a whim.

Robinson (Jude Law) is recently fired from his job. Disgruntled and very keen on making money, he jumps at the first opportunity of big pay. The gig is to recover sunken World War II submarine which allegedly contains heaps of gold. Thus, he assembles his team of merry misfits and dives for the riches. His whole team consists of either inexperienced or slightly mad crew.

Cue the crazy debacle where someone gets randomly stabbed or a few misclicks cause the submarine to nose dive, and the operation sinks faster than the submarine itself. Everyone is aggressive every time, there's barely any human interaction which doesn't lead in heated argument. I'm not an expert but surely when placed in crucial condition as submerged with actual chance of dying, one might need to cooperate instead of constantly picking a fight.

The visual is fitting for the theme, mostly shot in typical small corridor or halls, it is meant to be claustrophobic. The acting isn't half bad, Jude Law does his best though the accent is a bit jarring. It takes advantage of the premise well, and produces occasional morale ambiguity for gritty effect. A couple of the twists are decent in creating more dilemmas to elevate the tension, excluding the rest which are the results of tragic human error.

Black Sea is true to the deep nature of submarine film, sometime suspenseful and engaging, though most of the personality clashes are ridiculously forced.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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TVJerryFeb 3, 2015

A jobless submarine captain (Jude Law) assembles a crew of British and Russian sailors to rescue a cache of gold from a sunken Nazi boat. Problems arise from their national differences, unfortunate accidents and the inevitable greed. WhileA jobless submarine captain (Jude Law) assembles a crew of British and Russian sailors to rescue a cache of gold from a sunken Nazi boat. Problems arise from their national differences, unfortunate accidents and the inevitable greed. While the conflicts seem constant and become a bit repetitive, there are moments of tension and some unexpected turns to hold interest. As the leader, Law gets to flex his dramatic skills, while fearlessly holding things together. This film will most likely sink into oblivion, but those who like this sort of claustrophobic action should find it worthwhile.… Expand