For a long time, Disney made top-notch live-action films, and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" stands as one of the best.
I loved this film as a kid, and can remember even at the time being impressed that it didn't feel like it was necessarily dumbed down for a children's audience. Look at the stars here: Kirk Douglas and James Mason. Look at the production values and sterling (for the time) special effects. In the present day, Disney puts all of its oomph into its animated films, and its live action offerings many times emerge as barely competent -- and certainly not anything anyone with half a brain (kid or adult) would want to see.
This is a terrific fantasy adventure film -- people who want to find quality family entertainment should stop complaining about the lack of family-friendly movies being produced now and pick up something like this instead.
Grade: B+
I loved this film as a kid, and can remember even at the time being impressed that it didn't feel like it was necessarily dumbed down for a children's audience. Look at the stars here: Kirk Douglas and James Mason. Look at the production values and sterling (for the time) special effects. In the present day, Disney puts all of its oomph into its animated films, and its live action offerings many times emerge as barely competent -- and certainly not anything anyone with half a brain (kid or adult) would want to see.
This is a terrific fantasy adventure film -- people who want to find quality family entertainment should stop complaining about the lack of family-friendly movies being produced now and pick up something like this instead.
Grade: B+