Below (2002)
Sub-Genre- Haunted submarine
In Attendance- Me, Eryn, The Vanilla Gorilla
Cast Members of Note- A bunch of great character actors like Nick Chilund, Bruce Greenwood, and Dexter Fletcher. IMDB them, and I guarantee you'll say "Oh, him!"
What's it about?- A long, hard submarine full of Seamen (oh come on, it's funny!) get more than they bargained for when they break their all male ranks and pick up a stranded chick!
The boys don't like this much (because chicks are bad luck), and neither do the spirits that begin to haunt them all. A bunch of sweaty men and one woman, all stuck below the sea in a metal tube... and their running out of body butter to boot. Add in a vengeful spirit, and panic ensues. If that isn't horror, I don't know what is.
Can they make it to fire island alive?
I wont ruin the end here, but suffice it to say that the ghost wreaks some havoc, and wait till you see what happens to the Captain!
The Good- There isn't much here that's not good; its not over the top gory, nor is it panic attack-inducing terrifying, but the atmosphere is creepy on a few different levels. The sub being haunted is handled well, but the most effective terror tool on display here is that with a supernatural force out to kill them, they are in a metal tube with nowhere to go.
The best part about Below, is that if you like submarine/war movies, this one will deliver for you. The depth charges and hook dragging will keep you on the edge of your seat.
David Twohy, the guy who brought us Pitch Black, delivers a stylish if albeit subdued movie, that takes the high road yet manages to deliver the goods. This is psychological horror in high form.
The Bad- They took too much guff off of that dame. I mean, can't you lock her up somewhere better than behind a curtain?!?
The Downright Horrendous- This.
The Gory- Not much other than a little bit of blood and some charred bodies.
The Naked- The ass of a sailor... ugh.
What did we learn?- Never let a woman on a boat...
Rating- A- Beautifully shot, directed and acted; it's tense and absorbing, and something anyone who loves a good ghost story or war picture should own.
Final Thoughts- Olivia Williams is in this.
