Au coeur de l'Océan

Ron Howard ne réalisera pas de mauvais films. Il ne touche simplement pas toujours la perfection. Les quelques scènes autour de la table où commence et se termine le récit sont plus puissantes que le voyage lui-même. Le scénario sur le bateau progresse par une familiarisation discrète avec les personnages et les place dans des conflits prévisibles. De leur position dans l'histoire, il ne dégage pas ce qu'il pourrait et d'une manière générale, il ne sait pas vraiment de quoi il veut parler en premier lieu. Il y a plusieurs thèmes, mais aucun n'est le moteur du film. Nous avons ici le conflit entre le capitaine et le premier officier, la tragédie de la course à la richesse, ou encore la réflexion sur jusqu'où il est acceptable d'aller pour sauver sa propre vie. Mais tout cela est seulement suggéré de manière routinière et cela ne fait pas avancer l'histoire. L'élément le plus discutable du film est alors le meurtre d'animaux, censé faire des personnages des héros accomplissant leur grand rôle afin de pouvoir rentrer chez eux auprès de leurs familles. Les temps actuels ne peuvent pas favoriser une telle configuration narrative. Le film est agréable à regarder, surtout pour les spectatrices qui se réjouiront. Mais ce n'est pas un film captivant comme on aurait pu l'attendre de la part de Howard. Tout ce qu'il avait montré de captivant dans les bandes-annonces, dans le montage d'action, et le travail des personnages qui devait donner une trajectoire dramatique, est moins réussi. (03/12/2015)

A digital sea, a famously moving camera, and useless protagonists. Howard's confident dexterity handles things for the first half, but the second half, when the waves calm down, is accompanied by his traditional pain - zero passion. The characters speak from behind fake beards and swollen lips, but there’s really no emotion to it. Fail. 2 and a ½. PS: The digi visual is the ultimate cornea-burning bullshit. (04/03/2016)

What is a letdown for me is that "story-telling" line provides disproportionately more interesting characters (and also actors) than the "narrative" line where only shallow characters show up. And while Hemsworth carries the movies, at least because of his charisma, Walker doesn't. What is an even a bigger letdown is that it is often so obviously digital. There are not so many movies where it is so obvious that the actors are standing in front of a green screen in the studio, and all the rising waves and sea vermin are added subsequently. But even this can be done in such a way that you will not know it, but this is not the case. This is highlighted by the fact that, with a few exceptions, the camera zooms in on the actors’s faces and bodies in these scenes, which is rather unusual. Fortunately, there aren't that many these scenes, and as soon as it takes place in classic interiors and locations, it suddenly works much better. And why did I use a word letdown when talking about these two shortcomings? Because otherwise it's true classic (maybe too much though) manly old school maritime adventure movie about survival. (04/12/2015)

The problem with this movie is that it was made by Ron Howard. So before I even put the movie on, I was expecting a cinematographic quality. In the end, I ultimately got it. But it was worse with the plot that actually tells a story about how people destroy nature and how nature, because it can, returns the favor with the same force. So not only did I not hold a grudge against that whale, but even the fishermen didn’t bring out any emotions in me. Not even in the moment when they were dying in a long and disgusting way on the remains of the ship after a month in the middle of an ocean. But Ron is a director with a capital D and despite this, he prepared a few unforgettable scenes and quality moments you cannot overlook. But still, the story and the emotions connected with it knocked the movie down to being average, which proves how easy a story can affect an otherwise quality movie. (01/06/2016)

A classic adventure voyage, filmed with enthusiasm. You have to fall in love with In the Heart of the Sea, otherwise you will be bothered by the green screens and the insufficient depth of some characters. The main trio is excellently cast, the characters are written very well and you will have no problem experiencing trouble with a big white whale. No shortage of action, but Howard is best in details and crushing situations. Baños’ music is stylish and catchy. Call me Ishmael. (04/12/2015)