By Mike McCarthy
The story of the white whale has been told in film several times in the past, but this new adaptation, In the Heart of the Sea nails every aspect of the backstory and is a hell of a tall tale. Director Ron Howard really took the helm of this film and reeled in a winner. Leading his crew of stars which includes Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Avengers) and Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Howard should easily take the opening weekend box office.
The visual effects of not only the white whale, but of a colossal storm were incredible and terrifying at the same time. It was very hard to look away from the extremely captivating visuals. The balance between action and drama was done with such precise that it keeps you enthralled from beginning to end. I would compare the film to one of my all time favorites from the 90’s ‘White Squall’ which starred Jeff Bridges and Scott Wolf.
The film is about the story of a captain, his first mate and the rest of their crew of whalers aboard the Essex as they go looking for 2000 barrels of whale oil. It is a remembrance by the only living member of the crew, many years later, Tom Nickerson (Played by Tom Holland during the trip and by Brendan Gleeson as the older version of Nickerson) who tells it to the writer of Moby Dick, Herman Melville. It’s not only a movie about man vs fish, but about an inexperienced captain (Benjamin Walker) against his first mate (Hemsworth). The two butt heads constantly while out to sea, which ends them up in serious hot water, including being shipwrecked.
This is one of Hemsworth’s films that really expands on his acting abilities and we thought he nailed it. He hasn’t had a lot of films that really made him reach for that next rung on the ladder, until this one. Nevermind the drastic physical changes that he went through for the film. We have known him for being Thor the God of Thunder from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Huntsman from Snow White and The Huntsman, but not since he was race car driver James Hunt in ‘Rush’ has he kept us in awe of his presence without being a superhero. ‘Rush’ was also directed by Ron Howard.
In the Heart of the Sea is a phenomenal film and Howard definitely did it right. From start to finish it will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is not a buddy film, it is a film about survival and what you will do to keep yourself and your comrades alive. The film opens Friday December 11th, make sure to support the whole team, cast and crew.