by Ryan Zeid

Underwater (5.5 out of 10)

I think it’s fairly well known that January tends to be a month for movie studios to dump off films they believe will make little impact both critically and commercially. Being a bit too late for Oscar consideration for that same year, but far too early to be much remembered for the following year’s Academy Awards, movies released in January are generally left to die a quick death.

It also doesn’t help when a film that is released in January has also been sitting on the studio’s shelf for over two years. That’s what we get with 20th Century Fox’s latest sci-fi action film, Underwater. While replete with strong production values and a serviceable cast, Underwater is so derivative of other, better films, especially Fox’s own Alien and Aliens, that it carries almost no identity of its own, and is sure to be quickly forgotten, as is the case with most January films. In fact, if a drinking game were made regarding all the homages, references, and almost direct lifts from the Alien franchise (along with The Abyss), even an Irishman might have a tough time making to the end. That’s not to say it’s not nice to look at, and Kristen Stewart is decent enough in the lead role, while T.J. Miller provides a few moments of comic relief, but her and the other actors are given almost no character development and little to work with, and it lessens the impact of the film, especially a couple of sequences that should’ve been a lot more intense and immersive.

Underwater is unfortunately the typical January action film. Competently made and produced, but lacking engagement, characters you can connect with, and bringing something, or anything, new and fresh for filmgoers. There are worse ways you could spend 90 minutes of your time, but better to stay afloat at home. I give Underwater a 5.5 out of 10.

- Ryan Zeid