Netflix has got its Dreamworks on with new animated feature The Sea Beast. Starring Karl Urban and Jared Harris, as well as newcomer Zaris-Angel Hator, this is a well-worn tale of man versus beast, hate versus love, prejudice versus compassion and forgiveness...
Director: Chris Williams
Starring: Karl Urban, Dan Stevens, Emily O'Brien
Running time: 115 minutes
In a world where the seas are full of mythical kaiju and hunters make a living chasing them down, we meet Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator), a young orphan who dreams of sailing the oceans. Stowing away on the infamous ship Inevitable, captained by the fearsome Crow (Jared Harris), Maisie hopes to become a legend like her hunter family before her - but when the ship encounters the Red Bluster, the biggest monster of them all, things take an unexpected turn. Jacob Holland (Karl Urban), the ship’s best warrior, jumps in to save Maisie from disaster, and the two are swept into the sea, only for them to encounter Red in a very different way, and both begin the journey of changing their minds and their hearts as everything they have ever known is turned upside down.
This is a lovely little film with a big heart. At first, I didn’t think anything new was really being explored, and guessed exactly where the plot was going. Even so, there are aspects that pleasantly surprised me. An exploration of how to tackle propaganda and bias, and how find out the truth for ourselves, seems to come at just the right time in a world full of chaos. There is also a strong moral thread that weaves its way through the story about doing what is right, not what seems the most heroic or exciting, which is interesting. Children’s films are no longer about who is the prettiest or strongest, but who is the kindest, and who can stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
This is a heart-warming and charming little tale which could surprise you
The animation is generally strong, although some of the lesser characters have a bit of a boxy look to them. The effects of the elements, especially the wind and the sea, make me feel like I was really sailing alongside them.
And there are some rather grown-up aspects to the story, which may seem a bit shocking for a kids’ film - like when Jacob’s hand is covered in blood after Maisie is wounded, or when Jacob tells Maisie that it’s all “bollocks”... I'm not sure I ever remember Disney taking that route, but I suppose that’s what the PG rating is all about. It also strikes me as physically impossible to travel in a creature’s nostril underwater without drowning, and I also have something of a hard time hearing Karl Urban’s cockney Billy Butcher voice coming through without instantly expecting a scene of horrific Boys proportions to come along straight after.
All in all, though, this is a heart-warming and charming little tale which surprised me for the better, and I’m happy to see what other kid friendly projects Netflix produces next.
The Sea Beast is now available to watch on Netflix
Did you know? Karl Urban is a huge fan of rugby union; in particular, the New Zealand All Blacks national team.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
