Deep Rising (1998)

Written by John Chard on July 19, 2019

If the cash is there we do not care! What kind of life philosophy is that?

A gang of modern day pirates board a luxurious ocean liner intent on looting it of everything. However, once on board the liner appears to be deserted, all traces of human life seemingly vanished into thin air. Apparently some strange sea creatures have run amok and the pirates themselves are now next on the menu!

"Deep Rising" doesn't have any delusion about what it wants to be, it was marketed as a raging "B" movie man versus beast gun fest, and that is exactly what it is - with tongue firmly in its bloody cheek. When the tag line reads "Full Scream Ahead" then you get the impression it's not a film to be remotely taken seriously.

Written and directed by Stephen Sommers ("The Mummy"), "Deep Rising" is a blend of "Alien", "Poseidon Adventure" and "Under Siege", all built around the "Ten Little Indians" structure. Blood spurts and quips are dealt, and the film isn't found wanting in the good old "it's behind you" department. The cast give it the full gusto histrionics, Treat Williams, the sumptuous Famke Jansen (holding her own surrounded by hundreds of pounds of testosterone), Anthony Heald, Kevin J O'Connor, Wes Studi, Djimon Hounsou and, erm, Jason Flemyng also star.

It's a mini riot out at sea, great great fun. 7/10