Sanctum (6/7/2011)

Rated R for language, some violence and disturbing images.

Starring Richard Roxburgh and Ioan Gruffudd

Directed by Alister Grierson (first major movie)

James Cameron, underwater adventure and a true story…I’m still trying to figure out why this film was so bad.

Sanctum is the true story of master diver Frank McGuire. Frank (Richard Roxburgh) has explored the South Pacific’s Esa-ala Caves for months. But when his exit is cut off in a flash flood, Frank’s team-including 17-year-old son Josh (Rhys Wakefield) and financier Carl Hurley (Ioan Gruffudd)-are forced to radically alter plans. With dwindling supplies, the crew must navigate an underwater labyrinth to make it out. Soon, they are confronted with the unavoidable question: Can they survive, or will they be trapped forever?

Swimming in a tight cave tunnel miles underground and miles underwater sounds like the most terrifying, claustrophobic experience I can imagine. If you get stuck, you’re screwed on two different levels, and either way you’re going to die very unpleasantly. Imagine my surprise that Sanctum, which involves doing that very thing, botches any opportunity for suspense.

One scene in particular drops the ball pretty hard. Five divers swim through an especially tight spot. The least experienced diver, a woman, brings up the rear because, as she’s told, “If you panic, everyone behind you is dead.” So the first four divers make it through, and then the woman gets stuck (like we didn’t see that coming). Cut to: four guys wondering where the woman is. Cut to: the woman, being stuck. Cut to: one of the guys, her boyfriend, indicating that maybe he’d better make sure she’s not dead or something. Cut to: the woman, finally making it through. What these cutaways do is destroy any horror in the moment. We could’ve been put in that panicking woman’s position as she blew precious air out and struggled to get free…but we weren’t.

It didn’t have to be this way. The trailer teased us with the fact that James Cameron is the executive-producer (by the way, his film The Abyss is still one of the most intense underwater films ever). Producer yes…Director?? No. Instead we get someone named Alister Grierson (he’s made one other feature, an Aussie war picture). And he may be a talented director with a different story.

The cast is just as forgettable. Richard Roxburgh, as the tough-as-nails leader of the expedition, who is obsessed with exploring and has completely alienated his grown son. It’s definitely been done before…and done better. One of the biggest disappointments was Ioan Gruffudd. I’ve enjoyed him in other films…he was just annoying through this entire ride.

As far as the story goes, this is supposedly based on an actual experience that co-writer Andrew Wight had. I’m not saying it didn’t happen, I just can’t find the true “true story” anywhere. This movie is a total “Skip it.” But if you are looking for true story film pitting human against nature, check out 127 Hours. If you are wanting a better James Cameron underwater adventure, Netflix The Abyss. And if you want a terrifying cave movie, rent The Descent.


SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
With the language, violence and disturbing images, I would say that teens should skip it too.


Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: In this story, the team tries to exit the cave in the midst of a tropical storm. And when a large bolder cuts off their only exit, they must look for another way out. In our life’s story we often encounter roadblocks and have to discover ways around or through the barriers.

What are some obstacles that cause us to quit following God?

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: I think we should respond to this movie’s message and to the obstacles in our lives the same way Caleb did – with great courage and trusting in God’s promises and his power – as we see in Numbers 13:30: Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, ‘We must go up and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!’

Do you know anyone in your life that has that kind of attitude? Discuss.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: Start by sharing a time when you faced an overwhelming obstacle and felt like there was no chance of victory. Then say something like, “I have learned that no matter how big an obstacle is, I serve a God who is so much bigger!”

Caleb and Joshua wanted to conquer the people of Jericho when the rest of Israel was afraid. The men of Israel stated, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” The men of Israel looked at the circumstances and were fearful, but Joshua and Caleb looked at the circumstances and faced the situation by trusting in the power of God.

We are constantly faced with obstacles. Sometimes the obstacle is a certain subject in school or making the team or finding a job, but as Christians, we know that in Christ nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

1. What obstacle are you facing today in your life?

2. How are you handling the overwhelming situation you are facing? In fear or in faith?

3. Are you living in the victory God has given you through Jesus Christ?