SANCTUM
(R)
MOVIE: *** (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
After “Avatar” ripped apart box office records, visionary director James Cameron took his 3D technology underground to produce “Sanctum.” The story follows a group of cave divers who get trapped in an underground cave system. When a sudden flood threatens them, they have to dive deeper to find a way out.
While “Sanctum” isn’t a great film, it’s enjoyable for the thrilling element. The cinematography and use of 3D was some of the best I’ve seen, and it fits well into the man-versus-nature setting. The actors were decent enough, though only a handful were recognizable.
Not a big box office draw, “Sanctum” was considered a bomb in the U.S. However, factoring in worldwide box office returns and the relatively small budget (downright microbudget for a James Cameron movie), the film was a success. It does exactly what Cameron states in the special features it was supposed to do… present a slick 3D thriller on a limited budget.
The Blu-ray comes with deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes featurette “Sanctum: The Real Story.” There’s also a feature commentary track and the short film “Nullarbor Dreaming,” which tells the story that inspired the film, about cavers trapped underground after a freak storm.