Plot: What’s it about?
As battles rage on as part of World War II, an American submarine known as the USS Tiger Shark embarks on a routine rescue mission. But those on the submarine have already experienced trials and tribulations, both due to the war and their environment. The cramped spaces, the lack of privacy, and a captain lost at sea, all these contribute to a deep tension, which seems to thicken with each passing moment. But the crew continues its work and stays dedicated, though this rescue mission adds even more tension to the situation. A life raft holds three survivors and of course, they’re brought onto the USS Tiger Shark. One of the survivors is a beautiful woman named Claire (Olivia Williams), who is branded by the crew as bad luck. They’re happy to see such a gorgeous woman and behave differently with her around, but even so, she is seen as potential bad luck for an already unstable environment. The crew soon finds themselves tracked by Germans, who unleash depth charges and an attack with large hooks. This results in damage to the submarine, including an oil leak that could prevent them from being able to go undetected. In addition, oxygen is starting to become scarce and to top it all off, some unexplainable things have happened. Is there a ghost on the submarine and if not, what is behind these strange events?
After this film was completed, a theatrical release date was set, but the date was delayed time and time again. Almost three years passed as the delays continued, until Below was dumped into cinemas with minimal promotion. Of course, the movie made a quick exit from theaters and should now find a wider audience on home video. This subpar treatment seems odd, given that Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) cowrote, David Twohy (Pitch Black) served as director, and if nothing else, the movie is eerie and effective. If Below were a clunker, then I could understand the indifference, but this is a terrific picture. This isn’t the kind of horror movie where some psycho chases teens either, instead Below is a well written, well executed effort that relies on visuals and atmosphere. So you’ll be creeped out and get goosebumps, but not because of cheap scares or the like. This movie oozes eerie atmosphere, from the cramped locations to the spooky visuals, this is real hands over your eyes kind of stuff. This is something we don’t see all that often, an intelligent horror movie that forsakes gore and cheap scares, to have us on the edge of our seats immersed in an eerie, tense experience. I cannot recommend Below enough, especially since Dimension’s disc is a more than solid release.
The cast of Below is a good one, but it runs longer than talent than names, as most of the stars are relative unknowns. But some well known folks are involved and out of those, Olivia Williams seems to stand out from the pack. Of course, this could be because she’s the sole female star in Below, but that’s only part of the reason. The ladies of horror cinema are often lumped into the realm of helpless victim, but Williams is given a different type of role here. She signals the arrival of increased bad luck to the sailors, but she is not simply present to be eye candy, instead she has an active role in the storyline. She goes toe to toe with the sailors and tries to take a stake in her future, by making herself known in discussions. Now maybe that’s good, maybe its bad, but it is nice to see a different kind of female role in horror cinema. And since Williams is a gifted performer, she is able to make the most of her character. Other films with Williams include Rushmore, The Postman, The Sixth Sense, Born Romantic, and The Body. The cast also includes Bruce Greenwood (Thirteen Days, The Core), Zach Galifiankis (Out Cold, Heartbreakers), and Matthew Davis (Legally Blonde, Urban Legend: Final Cut).
Video: How does it look?
Below is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is an excellent visual treatment, one which allows the dark visuals to shine. This movie takes place in a tight, dark location, so the contrast has to be flawless. This is because visible detail is limited from the start, so the transfer has to allow the intended information to be seen. Otherwise, the image looks like a murky mess and the subtle visual touches are lost. So I am pleased to report that the contrast is superb here, with pristine black levels at all times. All the needed data is available, while the rest is bathed in beautiful darkness, as it should be. The smallest of visual details are crisp and visible here, so some real care was taken with this release. I found colors to be solid, but aside from the vibrant blues, they remain somewhat muted, as per the filmmakers’ intent. This is simply a gorgeous presentation, as Dimension has outdone themselves this time around.
Audio: How does it sound?
As this movie relies on atmosphere more than a little, an active soundtrack could greatly enhance the experience. So the included Dolby Digital 5.1 option has plenty of chances to be impressive and when all is said and done, this is one excellent presentation. The surrounds are used to sheer perfection here, to add to the tension and atmosphere, elements that this movie thrives on for impact. The environment comes to life, as if you’re right there with the characters, which makes for an immersive experience. All the little creaks, whispers, and other effects conjure up an eerie, highly effective presence. The dialogue is sharp also, with a clean and clear overall texture that never disappoints. This is how audio should be done, a track that enhances the material’s strong points and makes the experience that much better. This disc also includes English subtitles, just in case you might need those.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The audio commentary with director David Twohy, who is joined by five cast members, starts off the supplements. Even with six folks involved, this track never seems overloaded and a lot of information is revealed. The actors even prompt Twohy at times, which keeps the session brisk and cuts down on silence. A solid, insightful session that fans shouldn’t miss. This disc also includes a brief behind the scenes featurette, a selection of deleted scenes (with optional director’s comments), and the film’s theatrical trailer.
