Im Herzen der See

Ron Howard dreht keinen schlechten Film. Nur dass es manchmal kein Volltreffer wird. Die paar Szenen am Tisch, an dem das Erzählen beginnt und endet, sind stärker als die Schifffahrt selbst. Das Drehbuch auf dem Schiff stellt die Figuren einfallslos vor und ihre Konflikte sind vorhersehbar. Es nutzt ihr Potenzial in der Geschichte nicht voll aus und insgesamt weiß es nicht so richtig, worüber es in erster Linie erzählen möchte. Es gibt mehrere Themen, aber keines ist der Antrieb der Geschichte. Der Film zeigt einen Konflikt zwischen dem Kapitän und dem ersten Offizier, die Jagd nach Reichtum, welche mit einer Tragödie endet, und er enthält die Frage, wie weit man wegen der Rettung des eigenen Lebens gehen kann. Alles wird aber nur routinemäßig angedeutet und es bringt das Erzählen der Geschichte nicht voran. Das umstrittenste Element des Films ist das Töten von Tieren, welches aus den Figuren Helden machen soll, die ihre große Aufgabe erfüllen, damit sie nach Hause zu ihren Familien zurückkehren können. Die heutige Zeit ist für solch eine Konstellation der Geschichte nicht geeignet. Zum Ansehen ist der Film aber schön. Insbesondere die Zuschauerinnen werden begeistert sein. Es ist aber kein hinreißender Hit, den wir von Howard erwartet haben. Alles, was für das Publikum attraktiv ist, wurde im Actiontrailer gezeigt. Die Arbeit mit den Figuren, welche für einen dramatischen Bogen sorgen sollte, ist schwächer. (03.12.2015)

What is a letdown for me is that "story-telling" line provides disproportionately more interesting characters (and also actors) than the "narrative" line where only shallow characters show up. And while Hemsworth carries the movies, at least because of his charisma, Walker doesn't. What is an even a bigger letdown is that it is often so obviously digital. There are not so many movies where it is so obvious that the actors are standing in front of a green screen in the studio, and all the rising waves and sea vermin are added subsequently. But even this can be done in such a way that you will not know it, but this is not the case. This is highlighted by the fact that, with a few exceptions, the camera zooms in on the actors’s faces and bodies in these scenes, which is rather unusual. Fortunately, there aren't that many these scenes, and as soon as it takes place in classic interiors and locations, it suddenly works much better. And why did I use a word letdown when talking about these two shortcomings? Because otherwise it's true classic (maybe too much though) manly old school maritime adventure movie about survival. (04.12.2015)

A digital sea, a famously moving camera, and useless protagonists. Howard's confident dexterity handles things for the first half, but the second half, when the waves calm down, is accompanied by his traditional pain - zero passion. The characters speak from behind fake beards and swollen lips, but there’s really no emotion to it. Fail. 2 and a ½. PS: The digi visual is the ultimate cornea-burning bullshit. (04.03.2016)

A classic adventure voyage, filmed with enthusiasm. You have to fall in love with In the Heart of the Sea, otherwise you will be bothered by the green screens and the insufficient depth of some characters. The main trio is excellently cast, the characters are written very well and you will have no problem experiencing trouble with a big white whale. No shortage of action, but Howard is best in details and crushing situations. Baños’ music is stylish and catchy. Call me Ishmael. (04.12.2015)

The problem with this movie is that it was made by Ron Howard. So before I even put the movie on, I was expecting a cinematographic quality. In the end, I ultimately got it. But it was worse with the plot that actually tells a story about how people destroy nature and how nature, because it can, returns the favor with the same force. So not only did I not hold a grudge against that whale, but even the fishermen didn’t bring out any emotions in me. Not even in the moment when they were dying in a long and disgusting way on the remains of the ship after a month in the middle of an ocean. But Ron is a director with a capital D and despite this, he prepared a few unforgettable scenes and quality moments you cannot overlook. But still, the story and the emotions connected with it knocked the movie down to being average, which proves how easy a story can affect an otherwise quality movie. (01.06.2016)