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Deep Blue Sea (1999 film)

From Alfawiki
Deep Blue Sea
Company typeFilm
IndustryMotion picture
Founded1999
FounderRenny Harlin (director)
Area served
United States, Mexico
ProductsScience fiction horror movie

Deep Blue Sea is a 1999 science fiction horror movie directed by Renny Harlin and featuring performances by Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, and LL Cool J. As the inaugural entry in the film franchise, it follows a group of scientists working with genetically enhanced mako sharks inside a secluded underwater laboratory, aiming to develop a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The situation deteriorates rapidly when the sharks become aggressive, causing severe flooding within the facility. This film represents a collaborative production effort between the United States and Mexico.

Produced with a budget of $60 million, Deep Blue Sea served as a significant commercial project for Harlin after his 1993 success with Cliffhanger. Principal photography occurred mainly at Fox Baja Studios in Rosarito, Mexico, making use of expansive water tanks originally constructed for James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster Titanic. While actual sharks were used in certain scenes, the majority were realized through animatronic models and CGI technology. The musical score was composed by Trevor Rabin, complemented by two tracks from LL Cool J: "Deepest Bluest (Shark's Fin)" and "Say What".

Upon its release on July 28, 1999, the film earned $165 million globally. Reviews were mixed; critics applauded its thrilling suspense and action sequences but pointed out its dependence on conventional B movie elements. Over time, it has become recognized as a prominent shark-themed film, following the legacy established by Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic Jaws. The original movie led to two direct-to-video follow-ups: Deep Blue Sea 2 (2018) and Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020).

Plot

Within an isolated underwater research station, scientists Susan McCallister and Jim Whitlock conduct experiments on mako sharks to reactivate dormant neurons in human brains, aiming to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Following an incident where one shark escapes and attacks a vessel, financial backers dispatch corporate representative Russell Franklin to assess the situation.

Susan and Jim administer a protein compound extracted from their largest shark specimen; however, this triggers the shark to awaken violently and sever Jim’s right arm. Brenda Kerns attempts to arrange evacuation via helicopter, but when the cable malfunctions, Jim falls into the shark enclosure. The shark drags both the stretcher and helicopter into the tower, resulting in Brenda’s death along with the pilots’, while explosions cause extensive damage to the complex.

Inside the base, Susan, Franklin, shark handler Carter Blake, marine biologist Janice Higgins, and engineer Tom Scoggins witness the shark shatter a lab window, drowning Jim as seawater floods in. They plan to escape using a submersible but discover it has been compromised. Susan confesses that she and Jim genetically modified the sharks to enlarge their brains for greater protein yield, inadvertently increasing their intelligence and aggression. Cook Sherman "Preacher" Dudley kills one rogue shark with an explosive device.

At the wet entry point, Franklin is dragged under by the largest shark within the submersible pool and killed. The survivors ascend an elevator shaft; Janice falls into the water and is eaten despite Carter’s rescue attempt. Carter and Scoggins attempt to operate controls to drain a stairwell while Susan retrieves vital research data. The shark kills Scoggins and damages control systems; Susan electrocutes another shark but sacrifices her research materials.

Carter, Susan, and Preacher reach a decompression chamber and use oxygen tanks as bait to swim toward the surface. Preacher sustains injuries but frees himself by stabbing a shark’s eye with his crucifix. Carter deduces that the sharks intend to flood the facility deliberately to break through surface barriers. To divert one attacking shark, Susan cuts her hand but is ultimately consumed despite Carter’s efforts.

Carter clings to the dorsal fin of the attacking shark when Preacher harpoons it; Carter commands an electric current through the harpoon wire, detonating an explosive that kills the creature as it breaches perimeter fences. Following this, Carter escapes and swims ashore alongside Preacher as rescue arrives near the sinking base.

Cast

Development

The inspiration for Deep Blue Sea originated with Australian writer Duncan Kennedy, who was motivated to write the script after witnessing a fatal shark attack near his residence. Warner Bros. acquired the spec script in 1994, but significant development only commenced two years later when director Renny Harlin became involved. Screenwriters Donna and Wayne Powers reworked the screenplay, transforming it from a futuristic military thriller into a horror narrative centered around working-class protagonists lacking advanced weaponry.

In a 2021 discussion, Kennedy elaborated on the screenplay’s progression, emphasizing that scientific consultants supported the project because it featured genetically modified sharks rather than natural predators, setting it apart from films like Jaws. Initially named Deep Red, the script underwent several rewrites by different writers, including producer Akiva Goldsman; however, its fundamental storyline remained intact. Kennedy acknowledged that the inclusion of elements reminiscent of Alien may have constrained its commercial success. The project evolved from its mid-1995 script sale to principal photography commencement in 1998, leading to its release in 1999.

Budgeted at $82 million, Deep Blue Sea served as a commercial experiment for Harlin, who aimed to revive serious horror cinema with production quality comparable to classics such as The Exorcist and Jaws. Drawing inspiration from Ridley Scott’s Alien, Harlin opted for a cast featuring lesser-known actors alongside Samuel L. Jackson to sustain suspense about character survival. Additionally, he advocated for casting rapper LL Cool J to inject warmth and humor without compromising the film’s overall tone.

Filming

Principal photography for Deep Blue Sea commenced on August 3, 1998, primarily conducted at Fox Baja Studios in Rosarito, Mexico. The production utilized water tanks originally built for James Cameron's 1997 film Titanic, constructing sets both above and partially submerged within these tanks. Some scenes were filmed on sound stages equipped with fishtank windows. The film employed a combination of animatronic and CGI sharks; notably, the animatronic shark was enlarged to 26 feet—slightly exceeding Jaws’ 25-foot model. Thomas Jane recalled the animatronic’s lifelike movements and realism. An intentional nod to Jaws is seen in a license plate retrieved from the shark’s teeth.

Following filming at Baja Studios, director Renny Harlin insisted on capturing footage with live sharks in The Bahamas. Thomas Jane recounted intense underwater sequences involving cage diving and close proximity to real sharks. This approach blended authentic shark footage with animatronics and computer-generated imagery to produce convincing effects. To distinguish this film from Jaws, Harlin chose to prominently display the shark throughout, reflecting evolving audience expectations.

A memorable scene featuring a chaotic water accident during production was retained in the final edit, demonstrating the cast’s adaptability under challenging circumstances. Initially, Samuel L. Jackson was offered the role eventually played by LL Cool J; however, due to concerns from his management, a new character was created specifically for him. LL Cool J’s character was originally scripted to die early but was kept alive following production decisions. Budget limitations necessitated using two parrots for his character—one trained for flying sequences and another for perching on his shoulder.

Shortly before release, negative test audience reactions prompted changes to the film’s ending: Saffron Burrows's character survived despite her involvement in shark experiments. A one-day reshoot took place at Universal Studios, incorporating new CGI adjustments. In 2019, Thomas Jane and Renny Harlin supported a fan-driven petition advocating for the release of this original ending.

Reflecting on the film’s tenth anniversary in 2009, Harlin described Deep Blue Sea as his most demanding project due to extensive underwater filming challenges. He highlighted practical issues such as managing wet suits, ensuring paperwork remained waterproof, and dealing with unpredictable buoyancy of equipment during production.

Music

The film score for Deep Blue Sea was crafted by Trevor Rabin, who is recognized for integrating orchestral, choral, and electronic elements with approachable melodies. The soundtrack features two LL Cool J tracks—"Deepest Bluest (Shark's Fin)" and "Say What"—which play during the closing credits. Two separate albums were issued: Deep Blue Sea: Music from the Motion Picture (released August 3, 1999, via Warner Bros. Records), showcasing hip hop and R&B contributions from artists such as Hi-C and Cormega; and Deep Blue Sea: Original Motion Picture Score (released August 24, 1999, by Varèse Sarabande), containing Rabin’s original compositions.

Box office

Debuting on July 30, 1999, across 2,854 theaters, Deep Blue Sea earned roughly $18.6 million domestically in its opening weekend, securing third place at the box office. The following weekend saw a drop to about $11 million, ranking fifth behind prominent films like The Sixth Sense and The Blair Witch Project. The movie accumulated over $73.7 million in North America and $91.4 million internationally, culminating in a worldwide total exceeding $165 million. Its commercial performance aligned closely with contemporaneous releases such as Stephen Sommers's The Mummy and Jan de Bont's The Haunting, which shared comparable budgets and summer launch dates.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, Deep Blue Sea holds a 60% approval rating based on 114 critic reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The critical consensus characterizes it as a competent B-movie action thriller. Metacritic assigns the film a score of 54 out of 100 from 22 reviews, indicating mixed or average reception. Audience polling through CinemaScore resulted in an average grade of "B."

Reviewers commended the film’s brisk pacing and suspenseful atmosphere. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded it three stars out of four, praising its well-executed action scenes and unexpected twists despite some outdated visual effects. Kenneth Turan from the Los Angeles Times viewed it as a strong return for director Harlin, highlighting his skillful action direction and visual effects that enhance otherwise standard genre material. Desson Howe of the The Washington Post noted the familiar storyline but lauded the film’s ability to maintain audience engagement through frequent surprises. Robert Lasowski of the Florida Times-Union gave three-and-a-half stars for its vigorous action sequences and steady tempo, calling it an ideal choice for summer entertainment.

Less enthusiastic assessments came from critics like Stephen Holden of the New York Times, who described it as a simplistic blend of Titanic and Jaws, lacking depth in character development. Barbara Shulgasser from the Chicago Tribune criticized it as a lesser imitation of Jurassic Park, though she acknowledged LL Cool J’s strong performance and the convincing setting. Ian Nathan of Empire rated it three out of five stars, remarking on its uncertain tone oscillating between parody and sincerity. Robert Koehler of Variety found inconsistencies in the CGI sharks but praised the flooding sequence in the facility as well as the dialogue, particularly LL Cool J’s blend of humor and biblical allusions. Despite limited dialogue, Jane managed to establish herself as a compelling up-and-coming action star.

Home media

Deep Blue Sea was initially made available on DVD on December 7, 1999, through Warner Home Video. This release featured the movie in a 2.35:1 anamorphic format, accompanied by two behind-the-scenes documentaries, five deleted scenes offering extended character dialogues, and an audio commentary track with Harlin and Jackson discussing the film's technical elements and special effects. The title was also issued on Blu-ray by Warner on October 12, 2010, retaining the same bonus content. On March 18, 2025, Arrow Films launched a 4K Blu-ray version of the film.

Legacy

Deep Blue Sea played a pivotal role in revitalizing the shark horror genre, which had diminished since the 1980s. It paved the way for comparable B-movie productions such as the Shark Attack series, Red Water (2003), and Frankenfish (2004). These films frequently depicted genetically altered sharks or breaches in underwater security systems, reflecting themes from Deep Blue Sea while maintaining clear influences from Jaws.

In a 2016 retrospective, Brian Raftery, editor at Wired, described Deep Blue Sea as "the greatest non-Jaws shark movie," highlighting its creative action sequences, well-crafted characters, and unforgettable death scenes. He regarded it as one of the final large-scale R-rated B-movies that combined graphic violence and chaos with a high-caliber cast and production quality, drawing parallels to films like Total Recall, Starship Troopers, Stargate, and The Fifth Element. Samuel L. Jackson’s unexpected demise in the film is often celebrated as one of cinema’s most iconic death scenes.

The movie consistently ranks among the premier shark-themed films. In 2012, PopMatters placed it third behind Jaws and Open Water, recognizing it as one of Renny Harlin’s standout projects. By 2015, Den of Geek!, under Dennis Publishing, positioned it just after Jaws, commending its thrilling action sequences and portrayal of intelligent sharks. Additional outlets such as Slant Magazine and Complex lauded Jackson’s performance alongside the film’s brisk narrative pace.

To commemorate its 20th anniversary in 2019, the Screamfest Horror Film Festival hosted a screening at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, featuring a post-screening Q&A session with cast members including Thomas Jane.

Sequels

The franchise expanded with two direct-to-video follow-ups: Deep Blue Sea 2 released in 2018 and Deep Blue Sea 3 in 2020.

External links

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