Deep Sea (2022) 3D

[xootoo]

Found this review on the German website "Filmstarts". Translated to english by Google. (Source: https://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/313044/kritik.html)

This sounds wonderful. Just hoping and praying there will be a 3D Blu-ray somewhere

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIoE...M2QgY2hpbmE%3D

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A breathtaking animated film - unfortunately not in German cinemas

"Wake up, the film is over" is the motto at the end of Tian Xiaopeng's "Deep Sea", a Chinese animation adventure that is one of the most successful productions of the year in its homeland. A fitting sentence after a film that often seems like an intoxicating dream and shows what the Chinese film industry is now technically capable of. In most cases, the mainstream productions from what is now (almost) the largest cinema market in the world do not make it to the German cinemas - "unfortunately", one might say, especially in view of the sharp increase in production budgets, the directors there, from the full to scoop. And that's exactly what Tian Xiaopeng is doing now, telling a rather simple story with really breathtaking (3D) images - only these will only be shown to a very limited extent in German cinemas (due to a regrettable distribution decision).

Shenxiu mourns. Since her mother left the family, the little girl has been living with her father, who constantly only takes care of his new wife and their baby. He even forgets Shenxiu's birthday while the baby is spoiled and coddled. That's why Shenxiu wanders around alone on the cruise ship where the family is vacationing. After a storm, she suddenly wakes up in the depths of the sea: in a literal deep-sea restaurant, she meets the chef Nanhe, who prepares the most bizarre dishes. Together they search for the mythical creature Hyjinx, who Shenxiu hopes will enable her to get in touch with her mother again. But first she has to get past the Red Phantom - and that can only be appeased by Shenxiu overcoming her grief and being happy again...


Shenxiu and Nanhe go to the deep sea in search of the mythical mythical creature Hyjinx.

In view of this table of contents, fans of Asian animation films will probably feel directly reminded of the films of the Japanese grandmaster Hayao Miyazaki ("My Neighbor Totoro"). They are not wrong either, because "Deep Sea" actually uses many well-known patterns from Studio Ghibli - it shows a childlike figure in a moment of grief, tells of loneliness and the search for security, almost like in the Oscar-winning masterpiece "Spirited Away to the magic land". In addition, there are emphatically cute secondary characters, little bears and bunnies, as we know them well enough from American animated films. On the level of action, "Deep Sea" offers little that is revolutionary - but it's visually all the more striking!


Tian Xiaopeng and his team design truly breathtaking underwater worlds: the camera floats weightlessly through the deep-sea restaurant, showing images of the sky that dissolve into streaks of color reminiscent of impressionist paintings by Van Gogh, Monet or Turner. In doing so, “Deep Sea” develops such an absurd speed that the limits of the perceptible are sometimes reached or even exceeded: You look through the eyes of Shenxiu while flying through the underwater world or watching sunrises melt away in all the colors of the rainbow. In addition, there are always the gigantic waves that break over the figures. In other words: “Deep Sea” is a fluorescent psychedelic feast for the senses that has rarely, no, actually never been seen before.



IN 2D JUST HALF AS SPECTACULAR

Unfortunately, for most of the readers of this text, it will remain the case that they will unfortunately never see these images: Because while the author of these lines was lucky enough to see the film at the Berlinale in its intended 3D version, the German distributor decided to only bring "Deep Sea" to the big screen in a 2D version in this country. So the film is not entirely deprived, but a considerable part of its overwhelming visual power. Because "Deep Sea" is clearly a 3D film that uses this technology in a way that is as visionary as it is offensive.

In the current wave of 3D cinema, which began around 15 years ago and seems to be almost over by now, those responsible for Hollywood have evidently mutually decided to use 3D as subtly as possible. It was completely different with the first big 3D hype 50 years earlier, when 3D was used as an expressive stylistic device and things regularly “came out” directly from the screen to the audience. Even in works by visionary stylists like Martin Scorsese ("Hugo Cabret") or, of course, James Cameron ("Avatar 2"), 3D is always used comparatively cautiously. Nothing flies directly into the camera here and if you take off the 3D glasses in between, you can still see most of them sharply. That's why most of these movies don't lose that much by watching them in 2D (and sometimes they even do, or when was the last time you deliberately watched an MCU blockbuster in 3D).


Especially in 3D, the images of "Deep Sea" leave a lasting impression.

If, on the other hand, you take off the 3D glasses in some particularly spectacular scenes from "Deep Sea", then you can no longer see anything at all, and then the screen literally becomes blurred. The other way around, however, this also means that "Deep Sea" in 2D sometimes no longer works properly: The 2D version that comes to us in the cinemas sometimes seems downright strange - Tian Xiaopeng has the 3D version so experimental and expressive technology is used so that the images can no longer be easily broken down into 2D.

Like no other film before, Tian Xiaopeng has exhausted the possibilities of 3D, showing images of such surreal-expressive power that it must leave every viewer speechless, who not only longs for a story in the cinema, but also for moments of pure visual intoxication . Showing this film, made explicitly for 3D, in 2D is almost as absurd as watching Lawrence of Arabia on an old black-and-white TV or watching The Dark Knight on a cell phone. Even in 2D, "Deep Sea" is still an animated film worth seeing, but in 3D it is a visual masterpiece. So it's a pity that the really big intoxication in this country will unfortunately not happen.

Conclusion: "Deep Sea" shows 3D images like you've never seen them before - and gets a deserved 4.5 stars from us. The only problem is: In this country the film will only start in 2D on the big screen - and then the pictures lose some of their appeal, which is why we would probably only give 3 stars for this version.

We saw "Deep Sea" at the Berlinale 2023 in 3D in the cinema (and later again as a 2D screener).

[petergee]

My word, that looks amazing. Would make for an incredible 3-D Blu-ray.

[ryudoadema]

This has just shot up to the top of my "most-wanted" list for 3d! I hope I can find somewhere to email my plea to release this on 3d blu-ray somewhere. Curse you for turning me onto this if I am never able to experience it in 3d

[BleedOrange11]

I'd love to see Deep Sea in 3D as well. The 2D trailer is gorgeous and moving. Honestly, this reviewer sounds like he has very little experience watching 3D, disparaging some great 3D films, Hugo and Avatar 2, as well as Marvel conversions. Deep Sea is a Chinese/Taiwanese conversion, so basically there is no way its as strong as a Marvel conversion. It could have some pop-out moments although the reviewer doesn't mention any. Maybe our friend qw0aszx will share his thoughts on the 3D version.

[ryudoadema]

Originally Posted by BleedOrange11

I'd love to see Deep Sea in 3D as well. The 2D trailer is gorgeous and moving. Honestly, this reviewer sounds like he has very little experience watching 3D, disparaging some great 3D films, Hugo and Avatar 2, as well as Marvel conversions. Deep Sea is a Chinese conversion, so basically there is no way its as strong as a Marvel conversion. It could have some pop-out moments although the reviewer doesn't mention any. Maybe our friend qw0aszx will share his thoughts on the 3D version.

There are some very strong 3d conversions out of China. Not saying the overall quality is better than most Marvel and especially Avatar's. But it's true that most of those are used more conservatively than many from the previous ages of 3d movies.

[BleedOrange11]

Maybe Germany will release a Blu-ray 3D version although it seems unlikely since their theatrical release will be 2D only.

[Interdimensional]

Originally Posted by xootoo

The other way around, however, this also means that "Deep Sea" in 2D sometimes no longer works properly: The 2D version that comes to us in the cinemas sometimes seems downright strange - Tian Xiaopeng has the 3D version so experimental and expressive technology is used so that the images can no longer be easily broken down into 2D.

Like no other film before, Tian Xiaopeng has exhausted the possibilities of 3D, showing images of such surreal-expressive power that it must leave every viewer speechless, who not only longs for a story in the cinema, but also for moments of pure visual intoxication . Showing this film, made explicitly for 3D, in 2D is almost as absurd as watching Lawrence of Arabia on an old black-and-white TV or watching The Dark Knight on a cell phone. Even in 2D, "Deep Sea" is still an animated film worth seeing, but in 3D it is a visual masterpiece. So it's a pity that the really big intoxication in this country will unfortunately not happen.

Conclusion: "Deep Sea" shows 3D images like you've never seen them before - and gets a deserved 4.5 stars from us. The only problem is: In this country the film will only start in 2D on the big screen - and then the pictures lose some of their appeal, which is why we would probably only give 3 stars for this version.

Others see it as a criticism, but I always consider it the highest achievement for a 3D movie. The more it loses in 2D, the more I feel they're really using the medium to its fullest.

Originally Posted by ryudoadema

There are some very strong 3d conversions out of China. Not saying the overall quality is better than most Marvel and especially Avatar's. But it's true that most of those are used more conservatively than many from the previous ages of 3d movies.

Given the visuals, I can certainly believe that the 3D quality may best several Marvel movies. There's so much going on in every frame, so much to work with.

Do we know for a fact that it's a conversion? Even if so, animated films can frequently be converted with superior results, as the final image is often composited from multiple layers that have been individually rendered. This means they are not limited by having to paint in obscured detail.

The visuals are certainly striking, and it's not hard to see a lot of 3D potential here.

[BleedOrange11]

"Most parts were converted 3D," according to qw0aszx. TWR VFX and TWR Post-Production are credited for the 3D version in the closing credits. TWR Entertainment lists Deep Sea on their website as their 3D conversion.

Duck Duck Goose (2018) was the last TWR Entertainment animated conversion on Blu-ray 3D, which is decent 3D but not quite on par with SDFX Studios' work. I'm sure Deep Sea is a gorgeous, fun time, but in the off chance that we do get to see it in 3D, don't let this reviewer fool you into expecting some transformative stereo experience, harkening back to Silver Age 3D native depth and abundance of pop-outs that puts Avatar 2, Hugo, and Marvel to shame.



https://www.twrglobal.com/article_d....&id=3100&tb=10
https://www.blu-ray.com/Deep-Sea/166...on=editproduct

[osmos512]

Originally Posted by BleedOrange11

"Most parts were converted 3D," according to qw0aszx. TWR VFX and TWR Post-Production are credited for the 3D version in the closing credits. TWR Entertainment lists Deep Sea on their website as their 3D conversion.

Duck Duck Goose (2018) was the last TWR Entertainment animated conversion on Blu-ray 3D, which is decent 3D but not quite on par with SDFX Studios' work. I'm sure Deep Sea is a gorgeous, fun time, but in the off chance that we do get to see it in 3D, don't let this reviewer fool you into expecting some transformative stereo experience, harkening back to Silver Age 3D native depth and abundance of pop-outs that puts Avatar 2, Hugo, and Marvel to shame.



https://www.twrglobal.com/article_d....&id=3100&tb=10
https://www.blu-ray.com/Deep-Sea/166...on=editproduct

With the miasma of particle effects on display in the trailer, I’m almost surprised that post-conversion was even possible, unless both post-houses had access to the original animation files.

[Jlardonio]

Originally Posted by BleedOrange11

I'd love to see Deep Sea in 3D as well. The 2D trailer is gorgeous and moving. Honestly, this reviewer sounds like he has very little experience watching 3D, disparaging some great 3D films, Hugo and Avatar 2, as well as Marvel conversions. Deep Sea is a Chinese/Taiwanese conversion, so basically there is no way its as strong as a Marvel conversion. It could have some pop-out moments although the reviewer doesn't mention any. Maybe our friend qw0aszx will share his thoughts on the 3D version.

It could be the palette of colors that made him think like that. Reds, pinks, greens and purples are great when combined and with 3D must become astounding.

[Mobe1969]

Shame the Kino Blu-ray is only 2d. They dropped the ball again, like with A Writer's Odysee.

[qw0aszx]

I saw this in 3D earlier this year, I don't like the film at all but I can see the director try to push 3D for this film, however the end result was quite underwhelming.
The visual style of this film is quite a mess I think, the director try to put as much objects as possible into each frame, with constantly fast camera movements and editting, making the film a difficult job for 3D conversion.
As far as I can remember, the whole film was converted except for the logo of director's animation studio. The often messy image causing objects of different layeres sticking into each other, along with many conversion errors. The 3D just doesn't work for me at all because of all these conversion errors and the messy animation style. The only part I think 3D was done well was the opening credits part, because they clearly rendered separate layeres for 3D conversion and pushed the 3D volume into extreme, also those shots were quite calm without over the top movements. But everything else from that was not memorable, the conversion team clearly did not dare to push the 3D volume because the possible conversion errors from the messy image. You would just wish they render the whole film in native 3D because you can see the potential strong 3D if it was native.

[ryudoadema]

Thanks for that review. It makes me not feel like we are missing out as much. Still, I would like the opportunity to purchase and decide for myself...

[Mobe1969]

Originally Posted by qw0aszx

I saw this in 3D earlier this year, I don't like the film at all but I can see the director try to push 3D for this film, however the end result was quite underwhelming.
The visual style of this film is quite a mess I think, the director try to put as much objects as possible into each frame, with constantly fast camera movements and editting, making the film a difficult job for 3D conversion.
As far as I can remember, the whole film was converted except for the logo of director's animation studio. The often messy image causing objects of different layeres sticking into each other, along with many conversion errors. The 3D just doesn't work for me at all because of all these conversion errors and the messy animation style. The only part I think 3D was done well was the opening credits part, because they clearly rendered separate layeres for 3D conversion and pushed the 3D volume into extreme, also those shots were quite calm without over the top movements. But everything else from that was not memorable, the conversion team clearly did not dare to push the 3D volume because the possible conversion errors from the messy image. You would just wish they render the whole film in native 3D because you can see the potential strong 3D if it was native.

Interesting. I sort of felt Into The Spider Verse was a visual mess due to stylistic choices (especially the grotesque chromatic aberration, giving me cold sweats remembering trying to deal with CRT era divergence issues) and overload, and if it had been clean like say Solid State Society I'd have enjoyed it many times more. How did you feel on this vs Spider-Man?

I'd still watch Spider Verse in 3d as my issues were just as prevalent in 4k. I do have the Kino Deep Sea 2D blu ray incoming.

[qw0aszx]

Originally Posted by Mobe1969

Interesting. I sort of felt Into The Spider Verse was a visual mess due to stylistic choices (especially the grotesque chromatic aberration, giving me cold sweats remembering trying to deal with CRT era divergence issues) and overload, and if it had been clean like say Solid State Society I'd have enjoyed it many times more. How did you feel on this vs Spider-Man?

I'd still watch Spider Verse in 3d as my issues were just as prevalent in 4k. I do have the Kino Deep Sea 2D blu ray incoming.

I think the film is definitely way worse than Into The Spider Verse, I think Into The Spider Verse have its own careful design while Deep Sea seems randomly adding as much as possible just because they think more is better. Not to say certain elements of the story and camera movements of Deep Sea have a lot similarities to other films like Spirited Away, Ponyo, etc. The character design and performance of the male protagonist clearly borrowed a lot from Stephen Chow's films. But I'm not surprised at all since director Tian Xiaopeng's previous film Monkey King: Hero is Back have complete action sequences just copied from Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle.

[Doomhunter]

So I saw this on a 2D disc, the. 2D looked fine to me, great film! I say the best animated of 2023 so far

[emailking]

looks awesome hope something comes of it.

[BleedOrange11]

Looks like Deep Sea will play in Germany from August 10, 2023. Check for a disc release a few months after.

[xootoo]

Originally Posted by BleedOrange11

Looks like Deep Sea will play in Germany from August 10, 2023. Check for a disc release a few months after.

Its over. The only flat German Blu-ray preorder is already announced

[BleedOrange11]

The disc isn't detailed yet, but yeah, slim chance it's 3D. November 24, 2023 release date.