By far the worst part of discussing the film is not being able to spoil the best part. Needless to say, you'll leave talking about this one for some time. That moment makes the movie what it is in all reality and even if everything before it hasn't grabbed you, rest assured it will. It requires a repeat a viewing. They don't come more original or strangely entertaining than this. (**** out of *****)
Try and follow this: "Open Water" looks terrible on DVD, but also just like it should. The low resolution that comes from the cheapness of the production shows right through, but if it was to be all remastered with new color schemes and that sort of fancy stuff, it would ruin it. Compression is nasty in spots, though the choppiness of the water is held together well, something that usually proves troublesome. Taken as a home theater centerpiece, the transfer fails. Taken for what it is, it's not too bad. (***)
While it's nice to see a company finally giving die-hard home theater owners a fully-fledged DTS-ES 6.1 mix, why did they choose this film? It's the most ridiculous use of the format ever heard. Those without the proper equipment get a 5.1 EX mix. Again, why? Dialogue sound like it's coming from a home movie (which it is sort of) and can be hard to make out. Admittedly, when they dive or look under water, there's great immersion as it moves all around them. That can be conveyed easily without that big mix, especially considering there's no bass or explosions to speak of. The best scene is the thunderstorm which really picks up and sounds far too real, but again, why an all-out audio presentation? (***)
Special feature fans get a nice dose here, though nothing too special. Two commentary tracks are the heart of the disc, one very active one from the two filmmakers, Chris Kentis and Laura Lau; the other comes from the two stars, Ryan and Travis. Each person talks about his or her specific role in putting the film together, and Kentis talks about some deeper insights.
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
Matt -- This is one of those movies that I have absolute zero desire to see. People stranded in the ocean for an hour seems like more an exercise in self-torture (self-water torture?) than anything else. I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I'd rather eat glass than sit through watching people on the verge of drowning.
That just doesn't seem like a story to me.
2 - D.B. Cooper
I think this IS the best shark movie since Jaws simply because there really haven't been any good shark movies before or since. I mean really, was Jaws 3D really that good? Deep Blue Sea? This really isn't a shark movie more than a stunning descent into hopelessness. This is a creepy film, causing one to shiver much as they do when imagining such a horror.
I found it to be profoundly sad in a number of ways, and was mulling it over for several days afterwards. I still don't know if I would recommend this film, but I shall not forget it.