DVD Review: Deep Blue

Ian WestrayApr 13th, 2006 - 12:20:26

Your review of 'Deep Blue' includes a few conspicuous errors. In order from top to bottom on my browser's page:

'Deep Blue' was released before 'March of the Penguins' for me locally, and certainly produced alongside it rather than in imitation. Its DVD box evidently makes hay over the association, but to suggest it was an outright imitator is a little silly. The movie is made up of edited footage from the exceptional BBC nature series 'The Blue Planet,' which first aired some years ago. I'd bet the decision to make both movies had to do with the success of 'Winged Migration.'

The birds diving into the bait ball aren't albatrosses. If memory serves they're blue-footed boobies, which is a goofy name but which is at least accurate. Albatrosses don't fish by diving head first, I don't think. Their awkward takeoffs wouldn't admit to so many splashes in and out of the water, and by contrast they're legendarily good at soaring almost without flapping their wings for seemingly days at a time.

There are grammar and structural problems with the sentence: 'As these whales takes consistent turns rising to the break for air, the polar bear studies this, then decides why not?, and jumps in on top of them!' (The polar bear is stalking the belugas there -- in the series it's clear that it does so over many days. It doesn't hop on top as a casual act.)

The Marianas Trench is in fact the deepest spot in the ocean, and therefore has to be 'one of the deepest parts of the ocean to be caught on film.'

This is a sentence fragment: 'Utter darkness with the exception of the disturbing, sinister life forms that provide their own light which either helps them avoid predators or to attract prey.' As is: 'Creatures that make me recall the aliens in James Cameron’s The Abyss but much more threatening.' I agree with you about the amazing footage, though.

All that said, thanks for reviewing the movie. It didn't touch the awe-provoking breadth and intelligence of 'The Blue Planet,' but it shouldn't have been overlooked in theaters. Probably the 'Blue' producers suffered by the presence of 'March of the Penguins' rather than benefitting from the two films being released together.

Report this comment

Frankie DeesApr 13th, 2006 - 15:42:03

Sigh. I do appreciate your comments Ian and you did have a few legitimate statements about the comparative between 'Deep Blue' and 'Blue Planet' but if I may be frank, your review of my review contains a few conspicuous errors.

Certainly, if you took the time to read my review carefully, you would notice that I don't call the film a 'March of the Penguins' imitator but was merely pointing out the obvious marketing scheme of the packaging and was putting out a warning lest people think they would be picking up 'March of the Penguins 2'. The narration was more what I had a problem with and seemed more of an afterthought. I'm curious to know if Michael Gambon's narration is off the same script.

As far as grammar and structural problems go, heh, I can assure you I am well aware of any sentence 'fragments' as anybody that is writing in Microsoft Word can attest. I choose to make certain allowances for the sake of a more fluid read. Consider your last sentence: 'Probably the 'Blue' producers suffered by the presence of 'March of the Penguins' rather than benefitting from the two films being released together.' This sentence is a fragment, no? Also, 'benefitting' is spelled 'benefiting'. My point is not to be petty but to show that unintentional spelling mistakes and grammar do happen (although there is not a grammar mistake in this particular review that I was not already aware of)

You also point out differences between the film 'Deep Blue' and the series 'Blue Planet'. I have not seen 'Blue Planet' but in 'Deep Blue' sequences play out as I described.

I do appreciate your comments, I just wish we might have a good conversation about the film next time instead of a over-analyzation of a few sentence fragments.

Report this comment

PaulApr 13th, 2006 - 18:02:44

I'm going to have to go with the reviewer on this one, I mean really..nitpicking over some grammar issues? (if in fact, they are actually mistakes). I thought the review read very well, so don't sweat it Frankie. It is true, though, that Deep Blue is really only an excerpt from Blue Planet, so anybody interested in Deep Blue would be wise to also check out Blue Planet.

Report this comment

PatrickL.Apr 13th, 2006 - 19:20:28

As DVD Editor for the website, I review, edit, and post all of Frankie Dees reviews. Yes, sometimes an error gets past the reviewer and the editor. This happens in any publication, and is always frowned upon when noticed by the readers. I apologize for them slipping past me, and don't take it out on the reviewer. As editor, it is my job to catch whatever mistakes might have passed him. With that said, I was aware of the errors/fragments in a few of the sentences in this review. I let them pass because, as Frank pointed out, it makes for a smooth train of thought. Yes there were fragments, but I view those as a complete thought even if the rules of grammar are broken a little. I have not seen the DVD so I can't say if the sentence about the Polar Bears was misleading in the amount of time discussed. Again, if you have to complain about the sentence structure and rules of grammar aim those at me as editor and not the reviewer. He is simply telling you about the movie, his thoughts on the movie, and if he thinks you will enjoy it. If there is something you disagree with in his review then fire away. Reviews are opinion pieces, and everyone is entitled to give their own view on a DVD and we look forward to discussion on it. As always, thanks for taking the time to read our reviews here on MonstersandCritics.com

Report this comment

Jeff SwindollApr 13th, 2006 - 19:56:48

blue-footed boobies

This movie has boobies in it? I might have to watch it now.

Wha? Oh that's a different kind of boo.................oh nevermind.

Report this comment

Jeff SwindollApr 13th, 2006 - 21:07:32

But semi-seriously folks,

I lamented what I called the 'Marketing Department Edition' in one of my reviews and it's obvious that the marketing department was hoping to piggyback (penguin-back? [insert Burgess Meredith wak wak wak here]) sales of Deep Blue on March of the Penquins' popularity. This isnt new and will continue, unfortunately. It almost makes it seem like Deep Blue couldnt stand without March, which appears not to be the case. This argument also came up on another forum I read when the boxart for Deep Blue came out.

On an possibly unrelated note, It's also a sad fact that some fans have to pray for remakes or similarly themed films at the box office for certain studios to dip back into the vault. They dont seem to understand what good products (aka classics) they have in their vaults.

Damn marketing departments ;)

As to grammer, some peepul jus dont have no ed-you-cay-shun. ;)

Report this comment