Netflix’s The Sea Beast is charming take on a familiar tale.
It’s easy to write-off an overly familiar film as just another derivative piece of art.
Only ever pushing against Captain Crow’s (Jared Harris) orders when a crew member is in danger.
Seeing the hunters battle large creatures while trying to keep their ships intact is a treat.
That said, the risks and rewards of such a life are just the tip of the iceberg.
That notion can often twist into something else however.
Or worse, be the cause of their untimely demise.
This can be seen in the relationship between Captain Crow and Jacob.
Crow’s desire to pass down his heritage is overshadowed by his need for revenge.
This take on potentially harmful family ties isn’t entirely new.
What makes it resonate is in how this message is delivered.
The film doesn’t overly rely on humor to captivate, presenting each dilemma with a mature footing.
Still, some of the violence on display may be a bit much for the youngest among us.
However, the emphasis on not pulling punches helps in framing the more tribulant portions of the journey.
None of that would work without a solid cast.
Karl Urban’s Jacob entertains as the reluctant hero.
Jared Harris is great as Captain Crow.
The same can be said about Zaris-Angel Hator’s Maisie Brumble.
She also has an interesting backstory.
And thanks to a strong performance and well written dialogue, Maisie steals any scene she’s in.
The movie also sports some excellent computer animation.
That said, the colorful aesthetics and strong attention to detail undercuts most criticism.
This is especially true of the water which at times looks almost photorealistic.
The Sea Beast is a great animated film, but it isn’t without its faults.
That fact alone doesn’t negate what the film does well though.
Overall, The Sea Beast is a welcome addition to Netflix’s animated catalog.
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