Critic Reviews

• Christy Lemire, Associated Press

  Yes, the work they're doing is mind-boggling and important, but sometimes the images alone are more than capable of speaking for themselves.

• Trevor Johnston, Time Out

  That IMAX 3-D cameras have plunged so deep to record an often bizarre array of sea creatures undoubtedly delivers a certain 'wow' factor, but the accompanying commentary is heavier on breathless excitement than solid fact.

• Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

  A master showman's large-format documentary, a movie with great images, great special effects and the sheen of Hollywood often missing in these museum or science-center movies.

• David Hiltbrand, Philadelphia Inquirer

  The experience is so immediate and immersive that you actually feel as if you are swimming with the krill.

• Brian Thomas, Chicago Reader

  Here we know only that Cameron and his bright-eyed young scientists (who take turns narrating) are heading to the deeper parts of the Atlantic and Pacific to observe the environment and life-forms down there.

• J. Hoberman, Village Voice

  Often thrilling.

• James Mottram, Film4

  A fascinating science lesson for anyone interested in either deep-sea -- or outer space -- exploration.

• Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile

  It's not usual for documentaries to ingest the sci-fi genre, but in this case it's an eye pleasing and mind boggling excursion, beautifully realised and seamlessly integrated into the film.

• Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review

  The far more interesting stuff is back here at the bottom of the sea.

• Joe Lozito, Big Picture Big Sound

  Once you get used to the "awesome" and "wow"-heavy dialogue, James Cameron's excursion into both 3-D technology and deep ocean trenches delivers some fascinating footage.

• Prairie Miller, Long Island Press

  Even if these plants and animals did not exist, we may have already invented them, courtesy of those sci fi special effects magicians working overtime for the past decades.

• Prairie Miller, Long Island Press

  Even if these plants and animals did not exist, we may have already invented them, courtesy of those sci fi special effects magicians working overtime for the past decades.

• , Empire Magazine

  The final shot, in particular, is awesome, and confirms that the sooner Cameron gets back to making proper movies, instead of Boys' Own diversions, the better.

• Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

  I want the old James Cameron back.

• Jack Garner, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

  [Cameron] speculates that the ocean's depths contain mysterious life unlike anything else on Earth.

• Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card

  Some great shots of some odd (alien) deep sea fish and a good tie into space exploration, but other than that, the 3D isn't that great and reaction shots go too long.

• Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Daily News

  There are impressive rock formations and many other fine things to see, along with an interesting science lesson.

• Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

  It is a lot more like being there than just watching pictures taken by someone who was there.

• Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

  It's visually stunning, but [James Cameron] can't resist going slightly too far with its premise.

Read all 19 critic reviews