An enchanting world of monsters and monster hunters awaits in The Sea Beast, the latest from Big Hero 6 director Chris Williams. This animated feature is nothing short of a delight, with immersive animation, thrilling set pieces, and an important message that audiences of all ages need to hear.
As the film opens, we're introduced to the famed hunters: extraordinary fighters who kill the giant monsters that roam the seas. The greatest hunter ship is the Inevitable, led by Captain Crow (voiced by Jared Harris), his first mate Sarah Sharpe (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), and legendary hunter Jacob Holland (voiced by Karl Urban). They're tracking down the Red Bluster, the most fearsome of all the sea beasts. The Red Bluster took one of Captain Crow's eyes, so he's looking for some serious payback. This dangerous mission becomes even more complicated when a young girl named Maisie Brumble (voiced by Zaris-Angel Hator) stows away on their ship in search of glory of her own. However, what starts as a quest to find a mythical creature quickly winds up being a moving condemnation of intolerance and misinformation.
The Sea Beast is a massive maritime adventure
It's impossible not to be impressed by the scale of The Sea Beast, which is basically a kaiju movie with tall ships. In one stunning fight sequence, the crew of the Inevitable battles a monster known as a Brickleback. There are tentacles, there is cannon fire, and there is a genuine worry that the Brickleback will tear the Inevitable to shreds.
The epic scale of The Sea Beast doesn't stop at monster fights (which are all spectacular). Instead, it extends to the many environments we see throughout the film: A lavish palace, a lush island, and the entire ocean itself. The animation team completely immerses us in this fantasy world, so that even when a made-up monster is posing a threat to our heroes, we're holding our breath in worry.
Jacob and Maisie are the heart of The Sea Beast
Speaking of those heroes, let's talk about Jacob and Maisie. They start out at odds, as Jacob is initially annoyed by Maisie's attempts to join the Inevitable's crew. However, when the two of them get separated from the ship, they have to work together to make it home. The Sea Beast lingers just a tad too long on the "gruff man and precocious child" dynamic, but it quickly segues into a sweet found family story as Jacob and Maisie begin their journey.
Along the way, they learn new information about sea beasts like the Red Bluster, information that forces them to change their worldview. Even though she's an orphan because of the monsters, Maisie tries her best to understand the creatures. It takes Jacob, who's been hunting monsters for years, a little longer to come around. It's a poignant instance of a younger generation leading an older one toward a more accepting view.
In fact, one of the greatest things about The Sea Beast is how candidly it deals with its message: Just because you were raised to believe something, doesn't mean it's right. If you're willing to open your mind and listen to others, you could learn something that will shift your outlook for the better. It's a great moral, and an important one, made all the better by the fact that it's delivered alongside epic tall ship battles and gorgeous ocean views. Trust me when I say this is an adventure you'll want to watch.
The Sea Beast is now streaming on Netflix.
