25 fin-tastic facts about 'Deep Blue Sea' (1999)
"Deep Blue Sea," the 1999 science fiction horror film, directed by Renny Harlin, has become a cult classic. Searching for a cure to Alzheimer's disease, a group of scientists on an isolated research facility become the prey, as a trio of intelligent sharks fight back. Here are 25 interesting facts about the movie that highlight its production, reception, and lasting impact.
Director: The movie was directed by Renny Harlin, known for his work on "Die Hard 2" and "Cliffhanger."
Premise: The plot centers around genetically engineered sharks that become extremely intelligent and deadly, attacking the researchers on an isolated underwater facility.
Main Cast: The film stars Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J, Michael Rapaport, Stellan Skarsgård, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Shark Intelligence: The sharks in the movie are genetically modified to increase their brain size, supposedly to cure Alzheimer’s disease.
Real Sharks: While the movie used animatronic sharks for many scenes, real sharks were also used for underwater shots.
Animatronics: The animatronic sharks were created by Walt Conti, known for his work on the "Jaws" franchise. These mechanical sharks were extremely lifelike and required multiple puppeteers to operate.
CGI: The film also used CGI, but it was limited to about five minutes of the movie due to budget constraints and the technology available at the time.
Filming Locations: The movie was primarily filmed at Fox Studios Baja in Mexico, which was also used for filming "Titanic."
Aquatica: The underwater facility, Aquatica, was a set built specifically for the film. It was a complex construction that included a massive tank filled with water.
Box Office: "Deep Blue Sea" was a box office success, grossing over $164 million worldwide against a budget of approximately $60 million.
Surprising Death: Samuel L. Jackson’s character's sudden death halfway through the movie shocked audiences. His unexpected demise became one of the film’s most memorable moments.
LL Cool J’s Role: LL Cool J played the role of Preacher, a cook who ends up being one of the film's heroes. His character provided much of the movie's comic relief.
Pet Bird: LL Cool J’s character had a pet parrot that added to the film’s lighter moments. The bird was partly real and partly animatronic.
Director’s Cameo: Director Renny Harlin made a cameo in the film as a worker in the underwater facility.
Shark Attacks: The film is known for its intense and graphic shark attack scenes, contributing to its horror elements.
Practical Effects: The practical effects, especially the animatronic sharks, were praised for their realism and contributed significantly to the film's suspenseful atmosphere.
Reception: Despite mixed reviews from critics, "Deep Blue Sea" gained a cult following over the years due to its entertaining and thrilling storyline.
Soundtrack: The film's soundtrack included a mix of hip-hop and orchestral music, with LL Cool J contributing the song "Deepest Bluest (Shark's Fin)."
Test Screenings: The ending of the movie was changed after test screenings. Originally, Saffron Burrows' character, Dr. Susan McAlester, survived, but audiences reacted negatively, leading to a reshoot where she dies.
Stunt Work: Thomas Jane performed many of his own stunts, including swimming with the animatronic sharks.
Inspiration: The concept of intelligent sharks was inspired by the increasing knowledge about shark intelligence and behavior at the time.
Underwater Challenges: Filming underwater presented significant challenges, including maintaining the integrity of sets and ensuring the safety of cast and crew.
Critical Reappraisal: Over time, the film has been reappraised by some critics and audiences, who appreciate its entertainment value and effective blend of horror and action.
Shark Week: "Deep Blue Sea" has often been featured during Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, further cementing its place in popular culture.
Legacy: The movie spawned two direct-to-video sequels, "Deep Blue Sea 2" (2018) and "Deep Blue Sea 3" (2020), which, while not as successful as the original, continue the story of genetically enhanced sharks.
"Deep Blue Sea" remains a notable entry in the shark movie genre, thanks to its thrilling action, memorable moments, and a unique twist on the traditional killer shark narrative.
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