Film Preview: In the Heart of the Sea (2015)

Page Revisions:

(December 28, 2014) Original
(November 15, 2015) New Trailer (#3) / New Posters (#2-#4) / Updated Release Date (changed from 3/13/15) / Updated Oscar Prospects / Page Redesigned
(December 6, 2015) Added Image Gallery

Release Date:

December 11, 2015

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Based on the 1820 event, a whaling ship is preyed upon by a sperm whale, stranding its crew at sea for 90 days, thousands of miles from home.”

Poster Rating: A- / C+ / B / C-

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Review: (#1) Sometimes subtlety goes a long way. Not using a big star. Not using a big name. Just a big fish and a comparatively small boat and you have a simple evocation of the plot.

(#2) The tail is massive and that’s the only thing about it that keys the audience into the concept with any simplicity. That it does so too simplistically is its downfall. (#3) This uses the same motif, but adds an array of prominently poised actors’ heads at the top of the design which mirrors many of its predecessors, with the minimal amount of work to entice audiences familiar with those face. (#4) Size is relative and while it might help establish the dangerousness of such a creature, the poster doesn’t have enough scope, grandeur or compulsion to tease the audience into seeking out more information, including the trailer.

Trailer Rating: B / B+ / B-

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Review: (#1) The initial trailer, a mostly wordless one, establishes the action elements of the film, but only lightly touches on some of the human elements. That doesn’t make for a very appealing trailer. (#2) This newest trailer, which I haven’t seen in the theater yet, does a much better job creating atmosphere and tension while highlighting the impact on the crew without making it seem like a mere revenge flick.

(#3) After expressing the film’s massive scope in prior trailers, this film tries to bring the audience into the hull of the ship, introducing the characters about whom they are supposed to care. To an extent, it’s an effective decision, but the film still doesn’t look more than passingly appealing.

Oscar Prospects:

(OLD) You should never count a Ron Howard film out of Oscar consideration, but the early-year release suggests that its only real chances at nominations are in the tech categories.

(NEW) The film was re-positioned into prime Oscar season, which means it may be more of a contender than we originally thought. I still think its only real chances are in the tech categories, but you have to believe that they are either aiming at Oscar or holiday cash, which means the film is probably better than anyone first thought.