‘The Sea Beast’ Review: In Which an Orphan Girl Tames the Ocean’s Most Fearsome Monsters
variety.comPeter Debruge Chief Film CriticEven sea beasts are adorable when they’re babies. But watch out when they get big! They can smash the hull of a ship with their giant horns, or pull a boat to the bottom of the ocean with long, snake-like tentacles.
At least, that’s consistent with the legends we were told when unfinished maps labeled uncharted waters “here there be monsters.” But what if those monsters were real?
That’s the jumping-off point for Disney veteran Chris Williams’ first Netflix feature, “The Sea Beast,” a spectacular high-seas adventure of the kind most directors know better than to attempt.But Williams had a distinct advantage: He’s an animator.
The accomplished cartoon helmer, who cut his teeth on “Bolt” and “Big Hero 6,” first took to the open waters with “Moana” — a dry run of sorts for some of the thrilling ideas he hoped to implement here. “Never work with kids or animals,” experienced film crews caution. “Stay on dry land, if at all possible.” When live-action filmmakers disobey those rules, the job winds up being far more difficult than they bargained for. (“Waterworld” anyone?) But if making an animated movie, why not embrace those obstacles?
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