'00s Fun?: Below (2002)

 It sure is Pitch Black at the bottom of the Ocean.  This is Below, a 2002 Film.  The Director is David Twohy, a man who's name is back in the News.  Will he get to make yet another Riddick Film?  Vin Diesel says 'yes,' but I won't hold my breath.  Speaking of holding your breath, this Film takes place underwater.  Segue!  Made between Pitch and Riddick, this one is kind of forgotten.  Due to its timing, it does give us some Actors that would show up in the latter Film.  I guess if the Director likes you, he rehires you.  The Plot involves a group of people in a Submarine where things go awry.  Is it bad luck and instrument malfunction...or is it something more?  It is also worth noting that the Film was originally planned as a vehicle for Darren Aronfsky.  His 'fingerprints' are still over this and he's a Producer.  Notable Cast includes Bruce Greenwood and other Character Actors like Jason Flemyng.  There's also one notable Cast Member that I won't SPOIL just yet.  To see how this wraps up the Underwater Horror set for me, read on...

A Submarine shoots down a German Ship.

Separately, a Plane spots some people to rescue and they're...British?!?

The word of the survivors status goes through the Ship.  It's a dying man and a woman.

They have about six different versions of it and this is sure the classiest way to say 'there is a lady on-board.'

Right after they head towards a place to drop them off, a German Ship starts stalking them.

Don't mind us, Movie- you can be Das Boot for the next 10 minutes.

The plan to hide doesn't go well as they are attacked by hooks dropped from the other Ship.

According to Wikipedia, that wasn't done by the Germans since WWI.  Whoops.

We interrupt this Film's Story to have the Crew randomly-scared by Manta Rays for no reason other than to remind you of Pitch Black.

That is all.

All of the strange things- like the Ship seemingly taking them off-course for no reason- seems to relate to the recent death of their commanding Officer.

Ironically, the revelation of this begins to lead to the deaths of more innocents.  Whoops.

As things get worse, tension rise.

There seem to be 3 Groups.

1) Those that support the Captain.
2) Those that acknowledge that something odd is going on.
3) The random background people

A freak accident kills off the third group (including future Riddick Star Nick Chinlund) and makes the 1st group go a bit crazier.

You see, that group is the one responsible (in some part) for the earlier death.

Is there really a Ghost trying to get them?

They make it back from below and try to signal a ship.  Is it one that you want to call though?

Oh and Greenwood is now full-on crazy and tries to kill her.

In the end, he kills himself to avoid 'punishment' and the day is saved.

Our Heroes survive and, oh yeah, so does Zach Galifianakis.
Yep, he's in this!  The End.

A slow, but steady Thriller.  The Film has a good idea and a nice, slow burn approach.  It slowly builds up to a fairly-dramatic finale.  In the official version, the ghost stuff is far more implied than anything.  There's an alternate version of the Ending on the DVD that has the ghost actually speak to someone.  Well, that's one way to remove all intrigue- good thing they cut it.  That said, the Movie isn't quite as interesting as it thinks.  The big reveal is not super-surprising and it is drawn out over a few Scenes involving that same flashback.  I was kind of expecting a turn other than the obvious, but nope.  The presentation is quite nice, however.  Other than a few things that nitpicky IMDB Users will point out, the Sub Set/Location looks real and feels genuine.  The sparing using of CGI is good too.  Ultimately, it is one of those Films where you can figure out where it is going pretty early.  If you're on board, then it works.  If you aren't, then just move on.  Below is a solid Thriller that just lacks something extra to make it compare to Twohy's previous work.  Now it is the return of an old Game- Is it Racist?

Next time, a Stephen King adaptation with some great timing.  Also some small event and a Guest Review between here and now too...I guess.  Stay tuned...