Jennifer Peedom's latest documentary dives into the world of extreme cave diving, but unfortunately, it lacks that extra oomph to leave a lasting impression. The film focuses on Richard Harris, one of the heroes of the Thailand cave rescue, and his team as they explore New Zealand's Pearse Resurgence cave system.
While Harris describes himself as "not a brave man," his humility is refreshing and humanizing. However, despite the team's impressive qualifications and preparation, there isn't much depth to their motivations beyond a desire to push human limits. The documentary raises valid questions about the psychology of high-risk pursuits, but these are largely answered through interviews rather than on-screen action.
The film's narrative arc is driven by the "Hydrogen Expedition" of 2023, which prompts dramatic tension, albeit one that feels somewhat manufactured. Peedom, a classy documentarian, avoids sensationalism in favor of genuine storytelling, but this sometimes results in a lackluster viewing experience.
One of the primary challenges facing Deeper is its visual appeal. Unlike other adventure documentaries like Sherpa, which offered breathtaking footage of Mount Everest, cave diving doesn't lend itself to thrilling visuals. The film's drone shots of New Zealand's wilderness are pleasant, but once the dive begins, it becomes increasingly dull and static.
While Deeper will undoubtedly resonate with fans of deep diving, its impact on a broader audience is limited. A more effective approach might have been to explain why these extraordinary individuals put themselves in harm's way, beyond the usual cliches about "feeling alive" or "pushing boundaries." Ultimately, the film remains engaging but shallow, offering a taste of adventure rather than a truly immersive experience.
Deeper will be released in Australian cinemas on October 30.
While Harris describes himself as "not a brave man," his humility is refreshing and humanizing. However, despite the team's impressive qualifications and preparation, there isn't much depth to their motivations beyond a desire to push human limits. The documentary raises valid questions about the psychology of high-risk pursuits, but these are largely answered through interviews rather than on-screen action.
The film's narrative arc is driven by the "Hydrogen Expedition" of 2023, which prompts dramatic tension, albeit one that feels somewhat manufactured. Peedom, a classy documentarian, avoids sensationalism in favor of genuine storytelling, but this sometimes results in a lackluster viewing experience.
One of the primary challenges facing Deeper is its visual appeal. Unlike other adventure documentaries like Sherpa, which offered breathtaking footage of Mount Everest, cave diving doesn't lend itself to thrilling visuals. The film's drone shots of New Zealand's wilderness are pleasant, but once the dive begins, it becomes increasingly dull and static.
While Deeper will undoubtedly resonate with fans of deep diving, its impact on a broader audience is limited. A more effective approach might have been to explain why these extraordinary individuals put themselves in harm's way, beyond the usual cliches about "feeling alive" or "pushing boundaries." Ultimately, the film remains engaging but shallow, offering a taste of adventure rather than a truly immersive experience.
Deeper will be released in Australian cinemas on October 30.
. I mean, Richard Harris and his team are total legends and all, but the film just doesn't have that extra kick to make it truly memorable. It feels like they're more focused on telling a nice story than actually capturing the thrill of extreme cave diving 
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. And don't even get me started on the visuals... I mean, I love New Zealand as much as the next person, but cave diving just isn't exactly the most thrilling thing to film 
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. Just don't expect it to blow your mind or anything 
. It's more like a gentle introduction to the world of extreme caving... which is still pretty cool, I guess 
, but at the same time, I felt like we were missing out on a deeper dive (pun intended) into their motivations and what drives them to take such risks 
, which kinda makes it feel a bit... flat 
️. Still, I'm sure fans of deep diving will love it 
, but for me, it feels like a bit of a tease 
. Overall, it felt like they were trying too hard to make it exciting but ended up losing me 
. I mean, drone shots of New Zealand's wilderness are pretty, but once they're in that cave, it's like watching paint dry 
.
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. The team's story is really interesting, especially Richard Harris's humility - he's not your typical hero 
. But for some reason, their motivations just didn't feel super deep... maybe I'm just too invested in the psychology of thrill-seekers 
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. Where were the heart-pumping moments? The stunning close-ups? I know cave diving isn't exactly Hollywood stuff, but come on, can't we get some decent footage?! 
i mean, drone shots are nice and all but when they're in the cave it's just so... static