Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
'90s action-horror tale has bloody shark attacks, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Deep Blue Sea
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a thrilling but very violent shark flick with significant gore and profanity, making it suitable for older teens and those comfortable with such content. While some find it entertaining and consider it one of their favorite shark movies, others warn about its graphic nature and suggest it may not be appropriate for younger viewers.
- violent
- graphic content
- profanity
- suitable for teens
- entertaining
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DEEP BLUE SEA, Dr. Susan McAlester (Saffron Burrows), on a monomaniacal quest to cure Alzheimer's, has genetically modified the brains of Mako sharks to use their DNA. She has also unwittingly turned them into the smartest killers on the planet. After a shark escapes from Aquatica -- the research station where these sharks are kept -- and nearly kills a group of teenagers on a boat, McAlester arrives with Russell Franklin (Samuel L. Jackson), the major financial backer of Aquatica, to see how things are coming along. McAlester's ethical violations put her at odds with many of Aquatica's crew, including Carter Blake (Thomas June), a strong and silent type who is also an ex-con trying to make good. While tests reveal that the shark brains in their new forms do have the capacity and potential to treat and possibly cure Alzheimer's, before Aquatica's crew has time to celebrate, the sharks turn on their human captors and go on a bloody rampage. As each crew member gets attacked and eaten, it's up to Carter, with help from the quippy cook who goes by "Preach" (L.L. Cool J), to kill the sharks before they eat them and destroy Aquatica.
Is It Any Good?
This movie exists somewhere between Jaws and Sharknado, with none of the quality of the former and none of the deliberate self-awareness of the latter. In fact, the success of the Sharknado franchise seems to be the only logical reason for there to be a Deep Blue Sea 2 coming out nearly 20 years after the original. With its truly awful dialogue exchanges and one-liners, bad CGI special effects, and bombastic Michael Bay-esque cameras constantly swirling around, this movie embodies everything lousy about '90s action movies.
What saves Deep Blue Sea from being a total dud is that there are some surprises and plot twists to the played-out formula. Also, some of the human deaths from the sharks are so over-the-top, this could be seen as the precursor to Sharknado. However, this in no way overcomes how hackneyed everything else about the movie is. As it doesn't make many demands on the viewer, this is best for those seeking mindless action-movie entertainment with no expectations. That's about all that can be said for it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about action and horror movies. How does Deep Blue Sea use many of the conventions of both genres?
How does this compare to other movies in which sharks or other forms of marine life go on the warpath against humanity? Why is that such a popular theme?
Did the violence seem relevant to the story, or did it seem gratuitous? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 28, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : September 8, 2009
- Cast : Samuel L. Jackson , Saffron Burrows , Thomas Jane
- Director : Renny Harlin
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures ) , STEM
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Graphic shark attacks, and for language.
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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