Sanctum is an adventure thriller that will keep you entertained (so long as you go in armed with a bottle of pain killers). The setting and sets are beautiful and amazing but the cinematography is a little less than desirable. With the framing of several scenes giving the 3D a bit of an amature feel by leaving large blobs covering entire corners which throws off the coposition and eventually has your eyes screaming in pain because they couldn't quite tell what they should be focusing on. Keep in mind this IS NOT a James Cameron film. He neither directed nor wrote any aspect of this film. He is nothing more than one of the many executive producers and a BIG NAME to bring in the crowds. Sanctum was actually co-written by first time writers John Garvin and Andrew Wight (who are actual divers which adds to the diving element of the story) and it was directed by Australian director Alister Grierson (Kokoda).
If you are seriously looking to check out Sanctum I highly recommend that you avoid the 3D screenings like the pleague. Not only is there nothing that truly deems 3D as a necessity (sorry to disappoint but nothing comes flying at you, there are no explosions and nothing comes straight at the screen). The story will be just as good (if not better because you can follow it) in 2D. You will still be able to see the almost unrecognizable cast (mostly Austrailian talent and obscure actors that might soon have larger roles after this film) going through the stressful situation that is forced upon them as their one way out because unaccessible and they must go in search for a new way out through an unknown path. The sets created are amazing and you will enjoy them for what they are, but there is no need to pay the extra money to see a little extra depth in what we already know is a HUGE cave.
For all of the pain that the 3D created for me, I will say that the film itself had some very good elements to it as well. The adventure of cave diving and the stress it puts on those participating in the extreme sport is definitely felt by the audience. The cast does a great job of making you feel what they are going through (I only wish that Mr Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd) had not been casted as Carl because he was the weakest of all the characters). Sanctum even gives you a few chair squirming scenes that left me turning my eyes away from the screen. I would say tht if you are looking for something that will have you on the edge of your seat, Sanctum will give you that. It is a film to see in theater as it has some amazing visuals of the world beneth the surface, but if you are looking to beat the weather or just enjoy a movie look for theaters not showing it in 3D.
I give Sanctum a 3.5 out of 5... but Sanctum 3D a 1 out of 5. If only the world would get off its 3D kick, then we could all be happy. **Here's hoping**
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