The Deep officially opens today at the Famous Players IMAX theatres in both the Paramount and the Colossus, although unofficially it has been playing for a few days at the Paramount to fill in for another film that was pulled. The film, directed by marine specialist Howard Hall and shot off the coast of California, made its world premiere in Japan five years ago and is only now being seen in Toronto. Into The Deep spends 35 minutes exploring the underwater world of giant kelp beds, a remarkable habitat teeming with octopus, morays eels, pelagic jellyfish, bat rays, California sea lions and the aggressive red garibaldi fish, which have an extraordinary mating ritual as bizarre as those opalescent squid. There is nothing whatsoever innovative about the look and the approach of the film. Nor is Kate Nelligan's narration, written in overly flowery language, of any great insight.
Nothing looks better than when shot with IMAX cameras.
Where Into The Deep really shines is in the 3D arena. You literally feel as if you are there, underwater, floating effortlessly through the giant kelp like a scuba diver. The freedom in this feeling is exhilarating, even if the film is not that important. Canada's Top Movies 1. Don't Say A Word 2.