JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2005 7:00 pm
Director John Stockwell found success above water with his surfing movie “Blue Crush.” Now he’s going beneath the surface with his latest effort, “Into the Blue.”
The underwater photography in Stockwell’s action film is incredible, but, unfortunately, that’s about the only thing going for it.
“Into the Blue” stars up-and-comers Paul Walker (“The Fast and the Furious”) and Jessica Alba (“Sin City”) as a couple who are happy, but barely scraping by in a tropical paradise.
Their lives seem to take a turn for the better when, during a free dive with Walker’s childhood friend (Scott Caan) and his new girlfriend (Ashley Scott), they stumble upon a sunken treasure ship.
Of course, harvesting millions of dollars from the ocean floor is never easy, especially when there’s a submerged plane nearby filled with lots of drugs that somebody wants back.
This is where the film winds up being something moviegoers have seen many times before on the big screen, with predictable plot twists and the inevitable violent ending.
Walker’s and Alba’s performances are respectable as is Josh Brolin’s, who plays a greedy treasure hunter. But there’s not much call for acting in this film because many of the scenes occur underwater.
This, however, is where the movie excels.
“Into the Blue” is one of those films that should be seen on the big screen. The ocean’s colors and fish are quite breathtaking, and, at times, it feels like being inside an actual aquarium.
It also should be noted the filmmakers have cast beautiful people in the principal roles. Alba is gorgeous and Walker is a hunk, and the film probably will score well with members of the opposite sex.
But photography and good-looking actors aren’t enough to make a story better. I found myself checking the time about halfway through wondering when it was to end.
That’s never a good sign.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
Into the Blue
*1/2 (out of four stars)
Director: John Stockwell
Stars: Paul Walker, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin
Rating: PG-13 (for violence, drug material, some sexual content and language)
Now showing: East Park, Grand
The reel story: Walker, Alba and friends stumble upon a sunken treasure ship only to have their excavation of it compromised by drug runners.