Thrilling cave exploration film for adults

While watching SANCTUM, I found it exciting and suspenseful. The cinematography was first rate. Cave exploration, both on foot and underwater --- wow! Throw in a rocky relationship between Frank, an obsessed cave diver, and his teenaged son Josh, whom he admits he has neglected, and you're in for some high drama. Frank, Josh, and their fellow explorers are trapped in a cave with the water rising --- can they survive? But when the film was over, I had a bad feeling about Frank, not to mention a new, intense fear of cave diving. First of all, the group had a surface crew and all sorts of high-tech equipment. They knew a tropical storm was coming but didn't get out in time. The storm knocked out communications to the surface. Frank tells his underground crew that no one will try to rescue them; good cave divers don't go back for trapped comrades. Good cave divers, when injured, are expected to do the noble thing and opt for suicide or ask a pal to drown them so as not to slow the progress of the group. Good cave divers, when they come upon a comrade who is too badly injured to survive, immediately perform a mercy killing. When a comrade dies, good cave divers immediately strip the body of useful equipment and hurry on their way. Frank is a good cave diver, and he's practical, but another character calls him a "heartless bastard," and he's that, too. Bad cave divers, on the other hand, start to panic when they realize they're probably going to die. They become crazed and attack the good cave divers, whereupon the good cave divers coolly drown, choke, or set the crazed person on fire with gasoline. I understand the self-defense, and even the mercy killings can be justified on an ethical level...but are they strictly legal? Frank is such a stone-cold killer that, even though his son ends up admiring him, I would never want to be on an expedition with him. I get the feeling that this is not the first time many members of his team didn't make it back alive. Is this really the standard by which good cave divers operate? Because of these disturbing moral ambiguities, I don't recommend the film for children. Adults who can avoid over-analyzing Frank and keep repeating "It's only a movie" can sit back and enjoy the thrill ride.

Sanctum (DVD, 2011) - 4 Stars!

MASTER DIVER FRANK MCGUIRE LEADS A TEAM-INCLUDING HIS 17-YEAR-OLD SON-TO EXPLORE THE LARGEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL AND LEAST ACCESSIBLE CAVE SYSTEM ON EARTH. BUT WHEN A TROPICAL STORM CUTS OFF THEIR ONLY ESCAPE ROUTE, THE TEAM MUST WORK TOGETHER TO FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH AN UNCHARTED AND DANGEROUS LABYRINTH.

Yeah stuck in a cave filled with water, maybe we should of planned ahead

I have a fear of drowning so for me this movie was kinda exciting. I found myself thinking, "what would I do if" type thoughts. Their was some pretty cool shots of underwater cave systems. I love have most of the actors have forein actients. (Auzzie's) But the rest of the movie was kinda a blaaaahhhh for me. Ok people go into the cave, and have tons of equipment, but yet get caught in a major storm? Then theirs always the rich guy in the movie who funds it all, and always has to strut his stuff. The hero of the movie, is also the villian kinda, which I liked. But they worked in a Father son relationship go hay wire threw out the whole thing. Its wasn't a bad movie, but wasn't good either. 3 stars sums this 1 up fine. You won't be mad you bought, just don't expect to get the summer hit suspence thriller.

Worth having in your DVD collection!

This is a variation on the people-in-peril plot. These people are deep inside the earth in an amazing maze of caves and subterranean lakes, when a flood forces their hike out. Tight squeezes and narrow escapes are tense enough, but it's the spectacular scenery and stunning cinematography that make this a standout (the non-optional 3D doesn't really add much). The only downside is the dreadful drama that clogs the pacing. Otherwise, the visuals and effects are remarkable.

Great film with great scenery and underwater shots.

Kick ass film withgreat special effects and great scenery throughout the film; great underwater cinematography and camera movement as well as great suspense and thought provoking scenes.