rickymartin0065
A very enjoyable movie for young and old; a bit sci-fi, a bit fantasy, a bit action and a joke here and there. This movie isn't a groundbreaking masterpiece, but who cares? If you want to have yourself a very nice evening with a feel-good movie ... this might be the movie for you!
sswenson
Shipwreck survivors are rescued by an authoritarian ruler of a secret underwater city during the 19th century. Family film features nice underwater photography, enough action and special effects to offset wooden acting and less-than-sublime script. (Rating B+)
patrick.hunter
This film is a pleasant surprise with much charm. No, it is not on the same level of Hollywood's best adventure-fantasies, but I thought it better than other Jules Verne adaptations, such as the recent TV movies or something like FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON. This particular motion picture is neither a sequel nor a prequel to 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA nor MYSTERIOUS ISLAND; indeed, its premise (which one may or may not warm up to) is to ignore the other tales and try acting alone as its own story. The result is a weird amalgam of 20,000LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA and LOST HORIZON. It benefits from some lavish, if glossy sets, and the casting of Robert Ryan as Nemo, which for its time was offbeat. In recent years, stars, such as those of Michael Cain and Patrick Stewart, have played Nemo so far differently from Verne's original that Ryan's interpretation almost seems faithful. While purists may be put off by Ryan being so very American and lacking the swarthiness, exoticism, and aristocracy of previous actors, he nevertheless exudes a saturnine authority and substance that's right.All in all, the movie falls short of the eyefilling fun of the best Verne adaptations, but it's still watchable. It must be seen letter-boxed.
SanDiego
Sequel to "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (the Disney version) and prequel to "Mysterious Island" (1961 version) relating the further adventures of Jules Verne's Captain Nemo and his submarine community. As in those two films (and the Jules Verne novels by the same name), shipwrecked survivors are rescued by Captain Nemo and in this case, taken to his underwater city. Robert Ryan is no James Mason and brings the plot to a sleeping halt with his monotone delivery and wooden appearance and Chuck Connors is terribly miscast as the head of the survivors, however director James Hill ("Born Free") excels at filming nature and the film comes alive whenever people interact with animals such as a shark attack. Jules Verne stories are always fascinating and some of the set design is inspired (including an underwater resort-style swimming pool shared by children and penguins!). Really fun to watch as a trilogy since the story line holds together from one film to another (despite different producers and film studios!)