Search - Dead Calm on DVD

Cynthia A. (lalady) from ROCK SPRING, GA
Reviewed on 1/17/2010...

If you love a good action packed thriller with an ocean setting, this movie is what you want. Sam Neill who starred in Jurassic Park, Nicole Kidman who starred in Cold Mountain, and Billy Zane, who starred in Titanic, all exceptional actors, make this movie one you would not only want to watch, but add to your own movie collection.

A couple trying to cope with a tragedy, set sail for the open sea, in hopes of rebuilding their lives again, not knowing they are on course headed straight into the direction of a crazed psychopath.

With no one else but themselves, they have to fight for survival, to remember to not panic, but remain Dead Calm.

2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Exceptional suspense thriller receives nice looking BD trans

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 05/01/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Phillip Noyce's("Patriot Games", "The Quiet American", "Rabbit Proof Fence", "Clear and Present Danger") "Dead Calm" remains a gripping suspense thriller over a decade after its release. Noyce's film is fairly straight forward and something that Hitchcock might have tackled (in fact he kind of did with "Life Boat" but within a very different context).

SPOILERS: John and Rae Ingram (Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman)are enjoying the quiet peacefulness of the ocean when they come across Hughie (Billy Zane)in a dingy. It seems he's a survivor from a damaged schooner. The couple rescue Hughie and John goes over to investigate the schooner realizing that Hughie isn't telling the truth about what happened. He makes off with John's boat with Rae still on board. It's up to John to figure out a way to pursue his ship so he can save his wife. END OF SPOILERS:

A well made Austrailan thriller looks quite good in its Blu-ray debut. My only complaint is that the original ending isn't included as an extra here (the ending was reshot to clarify the fate of a character) and there aren't any special features such as a commentary track from director Noyce. We do get the original theatrical trailer but the film certainly deserves better than this bare bones presentation on Blu-ray. Audio sounds quite nice with a nice surround mix that put you in the middle of the action.

Although "Dead Calm" sails onto Blu-ray without any special features the transfer keeps the film on an even keel and makes up for the lack of a strong wind in the form of special features giving us more background on the making of the film. At this price, I'd recommend the film even without the extras it deserves."