lyubitelfilmov Review of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997)

The Amazing Journey of a Dreamer or Two Extremes of the Same Essence

[8/10 · 6 February 2021]

Adventure. Free film adaptation of the adventure novel of the same name by the classic of adventure literature and science fiction genre Jules Verne, which your humble servant did not deign to read. Another picture of my childhood, which I watched on a VHC-cassette, because even then I was not very interested in TV. I remember that the cassette was erased to holes. Still would! This is a sea adventure, especially since it was this picture that opened Jules Verne for me and became the first film adaptation of this novel that I saw. To date, this book has been filmed eight times, including this and the Soviet 1975 with Vladislav Dvorzhetsky as Captain Nemo, not counting parodies and cartoons. I decided to revise and remember my childhood impressions and emotions - and experienced a real thrill and pleasure. And here's my brief opinion - The Amazing Journey of a Dreamer. To my deep regret, there are disadvantages in the picture that spoil the overall impression of the picture, and I will have to name them, not forgetting about the advantages, of course. Now, let me begin. So the pros: 1. Scenario - the basis of the scenario was taken from the book of the same name, replacing and revising many details. Young professor Pierre Aronax, ridiculed by the entire scientific community, and by his father in particular, agrees to participate in the expedition, which should confirm or refute the professor's theory. As a result, Pierre and his companions find themselves on board the Nautilus submarine and get acquainted with its commander, Captain Nemo, who opens up the ocean for them with its beauties and dangers. The script is filled with sea romance, the secrets of the World Ocean, philosophy, the struggle of beliefs, idealism and materialism. The ending is unusual here, but I really like it, because it follows from the picture in the most direct and logical way. I gladly plunged into these dialogues and arguments of the heroes, which instantly surfaced in my memory. The heroes are memorable (especially Pierre and Nemo), and the rest have left their mark on my heart. If you love high-quality scripts and sea adventures, with philosophical reasoning, then you definitely come here. 2. The underwater world - despite the general low cost (we will talk about this below), general plans and graphics allow you to enjoy this majestic beauty of the World Ocean, with its familiar and unknown, and dangerous inhabitants. It was interesting for me to see, because the nearest sea or ocean is located very, very far from me. I will say right away that I am not a fan of the sea and sea romance, but it was this picture that made me buy several books on this topic as a child, with magnificent and colorful illustrations that pulled me in for a very, very long time. Even today, the underwater world from this picture is able to captivate with its beauty. 3. Captain Nemo - he, along with Pierre - are the two pillars on which this picture rests. Nemo, played by the magnificent Michael Caine and Pierre, who, no less charismatically, played by Patrick Dempsey, are both antipodes and reflections of each other, since both are dreamers who are rejected by the world, and on the other - methods, beliefs, and character - completely various. Both admire each other, but mistrust is present throughout the entire timing. It is interesting to observe their conversations, to weigh the arguments of each, it becomes, on whose side, to reflect on what has been said. So the cons: 1. Special effects - cheapness slips, especially on close-ups and in dynamic scenes (documentary underwater filming of scuba divers is used when showing the underwater world), this in the year of release looked to say the least, disgusting, and today this disgrace literally hurts the eye. 2. Reflection - this concerns Pierre and his companions, who cannot decide in any way who Captain Nemo and the crew of the Nautilus are for them, friend or foe? They walk, perform certain actions, then suffer. Yes, you decide? Thank God that this miracle happens in the finale! 3. Captain Nemo - in the book they are Hindu, but in the picture he is white, who fights against British colonialism, helping Indian rebels, and generally follows the book's original source. And knowing this, I am ready to forgive the creators for changing the hero's race. Moreover, it was this picture that opened for me actor Michael Caine - one of the best English actors of the old school, who, despite his considerable age, continues to act in films and delight his fans and fans. A little about the main characters: 1.Pierre Aronax played by Patrick Dempsey is a professor at the University of Paris who is considered an outcast in the scientific community for his theory. He gets a chance to prove it, and he falls into a maelstrom of events that will change him forever. Patrick perfectly played the role of a scientist and a dreamer, ready to commit the most insane act. 2. Captain Nemo, played by Michael Caine, is the commander of the Nautilus submarine, hiding from the world and therefore traveling underwater and becoming a part of it. Scientist, idealist, strong and authoritative leader (who at some moments behaves too softly). Personally, now, at the words "Captain Nemo", I imagine the stern face of Michael Caine, dressed in black. Bravo Michael! Bravo! 3. Cabe Atticus performed by Adewale Akkinuoye-Agbaje - you can hardly pronounce, honestly, in short - a negro who became Pierre's companion. A brave and honest man who faces racism everywhere except Nautilus. Nothing else is remembered, well, except that a good romantic line. Adewale played the hero quite well. Well, and where without the eternal rebel Brian Brown in the role of Ned Land. Well, thanks for the references to Jules Verne, of course. And yet, the two series of the picture in total make up a little over three hours, but this time passes quickly and the very pace of the narration does not let the viewer get bored. As a result, we have a good adventure movie, and even a film adaptation of the classic novel by Jules Verne with an excellent script, good atmosphere, not without a flaw, and with excellent acting work. My rating is 8 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!