Netflix is looking to bolster its animated movies portfolio and this is how we got this movie. The Sea Beast offers nothing new but its vibrant atmosphere and stylish visuals make it worth watching. So, if you’re looking for something to relax, it might be a perfect choice. Especially if you’ve seen all the Pixar movies. Director and writer Chris Williams worked for Disney for several years and you can definitely feel that here. There were no major fuckups and everything was done by the book.
This brings us to a couple of woke moments that will feel out of place but they’re not as jarring as in other movies. After all, the story takes place in an apparently completely different universe. The Sea Beast follows the adventures of Maisie, a young girl determined to be a beast hunter like her parents. Now, as soon as you look at the poster for this movie and see our main beast, Red Bluster, you will remember a certain animated movie. Yes, the main beast in The Sea Beast looks like the dragon in How To Train Your Dragon.
Apart from the visual similarity, this “coincidence” has no bearing on the story or the characters. Now, although we heard this story over and over again, I think it’s important to hear it one more time. You can never be too careful with these rich motherfuckers ruling our lives and pitting us against each other. The world they built here feels immersive and authentic, kind of like the one in Treasure Planet. And I’m not just saying that because both movies feature ships and stuff.
For centuries the monsters have been terrorizing ships traversing the great ocean. Many people lost their lives fighting them, same as young Maisie’s parents. She’s a vivacious young girl dreaming of becoming a beast hunter and joining the crew of the legendary “The Inevitable”, led by the legendary Captain Crow. So, she escapes the orphanage and sets out to board the ship fully knowing that she’s embarking on an adventure of a lifetime.
The cast of The Sea Beast is confidently led by Karl Urban and Jared Harris. I also really liked young Zaris-Angel Hator as Maisie. The quality of the animation is excellent and the water looks almost photorealistic. Too bad the monsters feel squishy and like they’re ready to be sold as toys but this is a kids’ movie after all. However, this doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy it because I certainly did. It provided a welcome break from all the movies I usually watch.
Sometimes it’s good to take a break from your usual viewing schedule and check out something different. And since this is clearly a summer movie, you should check it out as soon as possible. If you’re looking for something similar, do check out our Subversive Rabbit selection of Animated Movies.
Director: Chris Williams
Writers: Chris Williams, Nell Benjamin, Mattson Tomlin
Cast: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Paul Chowdhry, Jim Carter
Fun Facts: The original name for the movie was Jacob and the Sea Beast, back in 2018.
Rating:
IMDb Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9288046/
