In the Heart of the Sea

Name: In the Heart of the Sea
Genre: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Released: December 11, 2015
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy

2015

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Mixed or average reviews based on 47 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 217 Ratings

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 217 Ratings

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In The Heart Of The Sea

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: December 11, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy

Summary: In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. But that told only half the story. In the Heart of the Sea reveals the encounter’sIn the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. But that told only half the story. In the Heart of the Sea reveals the encounter’s harrowing aftermath, as the ship’s surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade, as their captain searches for direction on the open sea and his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down. [Warner Bros.]… Expand

Director: Ron Howard

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 122 min

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Critic Reviews

Marc Savlov

Dec 9, 2015

Director Howard, his actors, and indeed the entire salty sweep of the film are all aided tremendously by visual-effects supervisor Jody Johnson and his team’s spectacular combination of live action and flawless, awe-inspiring CGI creations, chief among them the great, white whale. Read full review

Jeff Baker

Dec 10, 2015

In the Heart of the Sea doesn't trust itself enough to be great. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Dec 8, 2015

Howard’s In the Heart of the Sea merely unravels the yarn that inspired the great book, a good-looking film that never sinks, but never really soars either. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Dec 2, 2015

A sort of maritime Donner Party, In the Heart of the Sea is a rugged but underwhelming true-life drama of a cursed 19th century whaling voyage. Read full review

Anthony Lane

Dec 14, 2015

If you want a Ron Howard movie about a man obsessed with a creature from the deep, In the Heart of the Sea, sadly, is not the place to start. Try “Splash.” Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Dec 10, 2015

With In the Heart of the Sea, director Ron Howard has given us a painstakingly crafted bore, a lovingly rendered snooze, and a very expensive means by which audiences can experience restless leg syndrome before being carted off to the land of happy slumber. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Dec 10, 2015

The script, by Charles Leavitt, is dead in the water, and the drama is too, despite billowing sails and pods of whales. Instead of “Jaws” it’s a turgid “Tails.” Read full review

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User Reviews

GinaK

Dec 14, 2015

Although I know I am in the minority, I thoroughly enjoyed In the Heart of the Sea. I loved the very realistic special effects and the excellent acting, and I thought the pacing was perfect. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think this will someday be considered one of Ron Howard’s finest films. YouAlthough I know I am in the minority, I thoroughly enjoyed In the Heart of the Sea. I loved the very realistic special effects and the excellent acting, and I thought the pacing was perfect. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think this will someday be considered one of Ron Howard’s finest films. You feel like you are really on the ocean and in the boats after the white whale attacks.… Expand

11 of 12 users found this helpful111

chrismovieguy

Dec 16, 2015

this was one of those movies were the preivews lead u to think one thing and it turns into a whole other it was not as action packed as it looked was still a decent movie it defenetly had its intence moments and a good story it had alot of heart too just a little slow in spots but athis was one of those movies were the preivews lead u to think one thing and it turns into a whole other it was not as action packed as it looked was still a decent movie it defenetly had its intence moments and a good story it had alot of heart too just a little slow in spots but a wonderful movie i say go see it dont expect nonstop action but see it its wonderful… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

jeggem

Dec 22, 2015

Raping whales for blubber oil draws a vengeful whale from hell leaving its human hunters in desperate situations steeping to desperate means for survival. A classic man versus nature period piece told masterfully by veteran director Ron Howard and acted well with a good cast, this filmRaping whales for blubber oil draws a vengeful whale from hell leaving its human hunters in desperate situations steeping to desperate means for survival. A classic man versus nature period piece told masterfully by veteran director Ron Howard and acted well with a good cast, this film should inspire strong emotions and interest in the attentive viewer.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

AxeT

Dec 23, 2015

The most obvious big remake Hollywood has yet to do that I've had in mind and talked about for years is "Moby Dick". While this isn't that but a tale of the true story that inspired the writing of that epic literary classic, it's probably as close as we'll get for a while now. With RonThe most obvious big remake Hollywood has yet to do that I've had in mind and talked about for years is "Moby Dick". While this isn't that but a tale of the true story that inspired the writing of that epic literary classic, it's probably as close as we'll get for a while now. With Ron Howard being behind this especially classically styled epic you'd expect it solid in craftsmanship all the way round and it is.
The image is intentionally old style and looks as if it could have been shot 60 years ago, yet was made with the latest digital cameras using all the most advanced techniques going with state-of-the-art CGI of course, which looks good. The whales are realistic if not all the sun flares and water droplets. I did particularly like the unorthodox use of yellow/greens in the picture which look lousy in TV spots for the movie, but just fine on the big screen. (I started noticing about 10 years ago that CGI in movies often does not hold up on any kind of small screen even in Full HD, while the same shots look stunning in a theatre. This is a whole issue I need to get into sometime…) I've also often stated that if "Jaws" were made today it would not be nearly the classic it was because CGI would certainly ruin it. I stand by that, but here it's great. It's a much different kind of story and with whales not one shark.
Unfortunately the film drags. It just didn't involve me despite my desire for its story and subject matter. The music score for example is stale and uninspiring as is much of the latter part of the story if anything because we've seen it before too many times and there is nothing unique here driving it. I wish they made more out of the ecological aspect that's nicely touched upon and directly connects today's world.
Overall a noble effort probably lost on today's audience.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ryan_goz

Dec 11, 2015

Mainly the determination and commitment from the cast along with some good character conflict and somewhat impressive CGI whales are what make this film worthy to watch. Although there is some poor cinematography, crowded scenes and a strange accent from Chris Hemsworth. Overall this was anMainly the determination and commitment from the cast along with some good character conflict and somewhat impressive CGI whales are what make this film worthy to watch. Although there is some poor cinematography, crowded scenes and a strange accent from Chris Hemsworth. Overall this was an average movie and does not showcase Ron Howard's talent as well as his previous films.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

EpicLadySponge

Jan 28, 2016

Lovable and decent, but it's too forgettable to be called a movie anyways. In the Heart of the Sea will be decent to those moviegoers and lovable to some people.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RachelDragon

Sep 5, 2016

I hate this movie. I love Ron Howard but this was terrible. I felt nothing for the humans and was rooting for the whales. I enjoyed when bad things happened to the people.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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78	#78 Most Discussed Movie of 2015
43	#43 Most Shared Movie of 2015