Orca - The Killer Whale
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Movie Reviews of Orca - The Killer Whale
Movie Review: Stands on its own merits
Summary: 4 Stars
This film has often been regarded as a Dino De Laurentis attempt at cashing in on the coat-tails of Spielbergs Jaws. It's actually, much more closer to Moby Dick that Jaws. While backgound motivation to create this flim may have steered it this way, Orca is an entirely differnt film than Jaws. The photography is captivating, the musical score is emotional and somewhat haunting (in a much more surreal way than the Jihn Williams two-note Jaws anthem (regardless of how well that worked). I really like the educational aspect to the film, the believable characters. I actually would have given this 3 1/2 stars, for some very sloppy editing. 1.) The film goes out of its way in the early scenes to teach the audience how to distinguish a male or female killer whale based on its dorsal fin- yet there are scenes shown in which the antagonist Orca (a male) is clearly a female (probably due to the trained animals the producers had available). 2.) The biggest plot hole is that this animal calmly and cooly watches his mate get captured and terminally injured, but does nothing at the time, yet later he demonstrates the ability to sink boats with a single head butt, ultimately forcing Richard Harris as the 'Captain Ahab' stand-in to confrintation on the open icy sea. One would think that the Orca would sink Harris' boat at the onset and attempt to save his mate....but then we wouldn't have a movie, and honestly- you don't think about this the first time you watch it. I really enjoyed Orca, and it's one of those movies I watch over again.Movie Review: Cinematography and Score Make this Movie Beautfiul
Summary: 4 Stars
Much like Battlestar Galactica wouldn't have been made without Star Wars, Orca would not exist if it hadn't been for Jaws. But that really doesn't matter. The movie has its merits. It has a great cast: Richard Harris, Keenan Wynn, Charlotte Rampling, Will Sampson, Robert Carradine, Bo Derek (well, she looks good!). Most importantly, it has Gorgeous cinematography and Ennio Morricone's haunting score. What a great piece of music he created for this film. There are very few creatures as amazing as the killer whale. When you see them swimming and swooping magnificently about in the ocean to Morricone's music you will see what is so great about this movie. I've loved it since I was a child and I'm glad that it's breathtaking visuals and sound will be given DVD-quality presentation. It isn't the most original script to come along, but it's a beatiful film.Movie Review: What You'd Call BIG-Time Revenge
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, here's an interesting twist: in this revenge film, it's not a human but a whale wreaking havoc after a seaman killed its mate and unborn baby. "Orca" goes after those responsible.
Yes, it's a bit far-fetched making a whale almost human-like but most revenge films are satisfying so the filmmakers figured, what the heck, let's cash in on the popular theme. It's also the decade of "Jaws," so I guess man-eating sea creatures were "in." This movie is nowhere near the caliber of Jaws, but it is still attention-grabbing.
Richard Harris and Charlotte Rampling star, but a young Bo Derek is here, too, in a supporting role. Now, that's attention-getting!
Movie Review: A childhood memory...
Summary: 4 Stars
As a child, my parents would not let me see JAWS (and maybe someday I'll forgive them!)!
Two years later, I was a little older and this was a temporary substitute. The story of a whale hunting a man for vengeance fascinated me. The whale attacks were tame compared to JAWS, but still thrilling, nonetheless.
Today, the film still looks good and the acting seems fine. Not oscar calibur, but not bad, either.
Bo Derek was a piece, wasn't she!
Movie Review: A different kind of romance
Summary: 4 Stars
It is indeed unfortunate that this movie was caught up in the wave of what was Jaws mania -
No doubt this is one of Richard Harris's finest performances. More than what is dialogue is unspoken dialogue. Human insolence toward animals of all manner is neatly wrapped up and directed toward yet another species.
Along the way even mankind's density is impaled by the obvious and great grief of the Whale's mate -