Rewind
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Deep Blue Sea (1999), directed by Renny Harlin, is a standout science fiction horror film that has earned its place in shark film lore. Starring a dynamic cast including Saffron Burrows, Thomas Jane, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, and LL Cool J, the film’s blend of suspense, thrills, and action has made it a beloved cult classic, often celebrated as one of the best shark films to follow in the wake of Jaws.
Set in a remote underwater research facility, Deep Blue Sea follows a team of scientists who are genetically modifying mako sharks to develop a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, things take a disastrous turn when the enhanced sharks, more intelligent and aggressive than anyone anticipated, break free and begin wreaking havoc on the facility. As the researchers scramble to survive, they must contend with both the sharks and the collapsing infrastructure around them.
Renny Harlin, a director renowned for his work on Cliffhanger (1993) starring Sylvester Stallone, brought his action-packed style to this underwater thriller. The film was primarily shot at Fox Baja Studios in Rosarito, Mexico, where a massive set was built above water tanks originally designed for James Cameron’s Titanic (1997). While Deep Blue Sea features some real shark footage, many of the sharks were brought to life using animatronics and computer-generated imagery (CGI), adding to the film’s intensity and visual effects. The film’s score was composed by Trevor Rabin, while LL Cool J contributed two memorable tracks: “Deepest Bluest (Shark’s Fin)” and “Say What.”
Fun facts: The inspiration for the film came from Australian screenwriter Duncan Kennedy’s recurring nightmare of being trapped in a passageway with sharks that could read his mind. As a nod to Jaws, the license plate that is pulled from the shark’s teeth by Carter is the same one found in the tiger shark carcass in Spielberg’s classic thriller.
The film’s original ending was changed after a test screening just a month before its release. The character played by Saffron Burrows, initially intended to survive the shark attack, was reworked after the audience expressed displeasure with her being seen as the film’s villain. A one-day reshoot and CGI enhancements were done to alter the ending.
Fans of Deep Blue Sea will be thrilled to hear that Arrow Films is releasing the film on 4K Blu-ray on March 18, 2025, bringing the thrilling shark-filled adventure to a new generation of viewers in high definition. Deep Blue Sea is a must-watch for shark film aficionados and anyone who loves a good dose of thrills. With its unique premise, heart-pounding action, and memorable characters, it stands out as one of the most entertaining entries in the genre, second only to Jaws. Movieland highly recommends this gripping, fin-tastic adventure for your next movie night.
