Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

Ghost Ship is a fast-paced horror/haunting type movie. I thought everything about the movie was great except that it moved a little too fast at times, and it was over before I was ready for the end. I wish it had been a little longer and that a little more time had been taken to build tension during some of the scarier passages. That said, the acting was great; the visuals were incredibly convincing, even after watching the "making of" feature I had a hard time spotting where special effects had been pasted together to make the final image I was watching - seamless. Writing wise, they sort of rushed past some of the explanations as to what the various ghosts were trying to get the living people to do. Still, I love haunting movies and especially ones that occur at sea. This one captured that creepy, desperate, isolated-at-sea vibe and never let it slip.

This underrated film of a ship found adrift at sea is a blend of modern horror and old-fashioned storytelling. It moves the familiar haunted house story to the ocean with more emphasis on atmosphere and story than most present day horror films. Other than a somewhat gory opening scene the viewer must see as background, there is an understated old-style atmosphere and performances which works well.

When a close-knit salvage crew led by Gabriel Byrne agree to go treasure hunting based on photos of an unknown ship drifting deep in the remote Bering Sea, they have no idea what lies ahead. Even the hardened Murphy (Byrne), who has seen strange things at sea, is shocked when what appears and disappears in the dark chilly sea on their radar screens turns out to be the Italian luxury liner Antonia Graza, drifting like a dark and elegant ghost. She is a maritime mystery, vanishing without explanation or trace decades before.

Epps (Julianne Marguiles) is the first of the crew to realize something onboard is very wrong, when she sees a sweet young girl who cannot possibly be there. Director Steve Beck does a nice job capturing for the viewer the sense of eerie wonder and anticipation exploring a dark, drifting ship deep in the ocean, thousands of miles from nowhere, brings. As the crew begin to explore the Graza, tension builds and we feel a sense of doom. So does the crew, but just when they are ready to boogie out of there, gold is found, and keeps them aboard.

The elegance and style of the original voyage is nicely captured in flashbacks, and adds dimension to the dreary present day salvage operation. Despite the fact this is a horror film of sorts, it is set design rather than special effects which drive it, and make it fun to watch. Marguiles does a nice job, as does Italian beauty Francesca Rettondini in her much too brief flashbacks. Emily Browning, as the young Katie, trying to protect Epps and her crew because she is not like the "others" is very good also.

The gory flashback which opens the film is more shocking than bloody, but still way too much for younger audiences. It does, however, add to the adult viewer's enjoyment of the story in a way, giving the moviegoer empathy for young Katie's tragic fate. Picked off one by one, she may be the only hope for the remaining. The story has style and is told in an old-fashioned manner. While some elements may be predictable, it is done with understatement and visual flair, making it a fun film in the genre for those who enjoy a good story.