[Review] ‘THE SEA BEAST’ – Netflix’s swashbuckling animated adventure makes a meaningful splash

Preston Barta // Features Editor

THE SEA BEAST

Rated PG, 115 minutes.
Now available to stream on Netflix.

Following Netflix’s teaser trailer drop in March, The Sea Beast appeared to be one sweeping, swashbuckling animated adventure. However, despite its dazzling imagery and inclusivity, the idea of watching pirates slay giant sea creatures for two hours didn’t sound like the kind of movie parents would want to plant in front of their kids. Personally, I was worried that Netflix would send the wrong message about the nature of animals as they did with Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous in its first two seasons. But I bet on the animators and storytellers to package something that would bring about a meaningful conversation and narrative arc. And if you do, too, you’ll walk away with all sorts of treasures and good feelings. 

Critic’s note: That said, I should warn parents of how violent the film’s opening is. Swords slice tentacles left and right, with green goo spilling all over. The Sea Beast doesn’t want to shy away from reality. If you have really young ones, I suggest shielding them from those parts, which exit quickly, and wait for the narrative to embrace the beauty of the creatures in real How to Train Your Dragon fashion.

After spending years working on Disney’s Moana, Chris Williams returns to the ocean. The Academy Award-winning filmmaker sets the action in an era when beasts roamed the seas and monster hunters were celebrated as heroes, and none were featured in history books more than the great Jacob Holland (voiced by Karl Urban). But when young Maisie Brumble (an adorable Zaris-Angel Hator) stows away on his ship, he’s accompanied by an unexpected ally. Together, they embark on an epic journey, sailing into uncharted waters and looking to write a new chapter in history.

The Sea Beast is one of the most stunningly life-like animated movies you’ll ever see. The way light shines through trees and reflects on the water is truly a remarkable feat. The animation style, however, is a mix between Disney Animation and DreamWorks Animation. Some characters lean closer toward Frozen – like Jacob, who looks like he could be Kristoff’s brother – while others have a boxier appearance like The Croods. While the character design doesn’t have a super distinct style like Mitchells vs. the Machines and Into the Spider-Verse, the level of detail is absolutely commendable. In addition, the color palette is all over, making it all the more exciting for your eyeballs to absorb.

But the real strength is how the film is so much about speaking from your heart and fighting for what you believe in. It sounds like traditional messaging, but the poetic way it incorporates its thinking and viewpoints into dialogue is tasteful and artfully done. As featured in the film’s official trailer (seen below), one statement about how “you can be a hero and still be wrong” is well-placed and should water some good seeds of thought. Even though it can be predictable at times, the language throughout makes waves that are worthy of seeing through.

The Sea Beast has a whale-sized heart and fantastic characters you’d love to continue to hang around for more journeys. It’s like Pirates of the Caribbean meets Black Stallion. Go love it!

Grade: B