The Sea Beast: A Netflix Original That is Actually Original

“I don’t know how the war started. Maybe all that matters is how it ends.”

Wise words from young Maisie Brumble (Zaris-Angel Hator) in Netflix’s new animated, original epic The Sea Beast. Directed by Chris Williams with an original script by Williams and Nell Benjamin, The Sea Beast is a fun, refreshing addition to Netflix’s slate which, overall, may be most enjoyable on the big screen.

A Pirate’s (Hunter’s) Life For Me

Set in an alternate time and world where sea monsters truly do exist, The Sea Beast sets the stage for swashbuckling adventures, introducing us to the world through its written lore.

There are generations of sea faring “heroes” known as Hunters, who seek out and kill the giant sea beasts,who are purported to destroy seaside towns and terrify their residents.

Jacob Holland (Karl Urban), “son” of the well-known Captain Augustus Crow (Jared Harris) of the ship Inevitable, is one of these great hunters. Jacob and shipmates are hired by the King and Queen and on the search for the feared Red Bluster, an enormous creature not yet killed and believed to be the ultimate catch.

Source: Netflix

Maisie, who’s parents were Hunters, stows away on the Inevitable, hoping to live out her dream of continuing the family legacy as a great Hunter. Captain Crow takes a liking to her and allows her to stay on the ship, but is Maisie biting off more than she can chew, trusting in sensationalist fiction than experienced truth?

After their first life or death encounter with the Red Bluster, Jacob and Maisie find themselves on a survival quest that changes their lives forever.

“We Kill ‘Em, We doN’t study ‘em”

After being stranded on a deserted island together, Jacob and Maisie are forced to learn about the sea beasts in greater detail.

Through this expedition, Jacob and Maisie form a bond and begin to delve deeper, figuring out things about their society’s past that they were never meant to.

Source: Netflix

This leaves them open to great peril, not only from the Hunters, but all those who benefit and profit from the way things have always been. The film juxtaposes real political circumstance into the story, hoping to show us all a better way.

Will Jacob and Maisie be able to figure out a solution in time to save themselves AND convince others of the true circumstances surrounding the problems with the sea beasts at hand?

In all honesty…

The Sea Beast is a welcome change from all the films based upon books, comics or graphic novels. I felt a sense of comforting familiarity that I had as a person who grew up with a plethora of original screenplay films.

With astonishingly gorgeous animation, the film harkens back to the great adventures that used to be played back before remakes were king.

It may not be Pixar level in story, reminding me of stories already told in the vain of How to TrainYour Dragon, it definitely rivals big budget animated films in color, production design and stunning, lustrous graphics. It’s the kind of film Disney would’ve made today if they had stuck to the older business model of taking risks, removed from intellectual properties, in exchange for new ideas.

Though the story does struggle a bit connecting its characters at an emotional level and at times is sluggish, there is still enough here to fascinate animation fans young and old alike. They almost nailed the nostalgia but not quite. There was a lingering feeling throughout of something missing that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Source: Netflix

Urban’s performance behind Jacob was a bit dull, though hearkened elements of Billy Butcher, his iconic character in Prime’s series The Boys. Though I know it’s not the same character, I think Jacob was owed a bit more of Billy’s charisma and confidence. Instead, it was played more subdued, which also made connection to this character more difficult.

I loved how the writers ended up using political issues that resonate today as blatant metaphor in the film. The ending shows up as inspiring, making you wish it was as easy to solve the human collective’s problems in real life as they did in this story.

I was happy to see more POC characters though it still felt too white overall and too many of the lead characters were still white. This is a fantasy world, so no matter where it takes place, writers/filmmakers should be careful to be more inclusive not only in the side characters but in representing lead characters. There was no palpable reason why Jacob’s character couldn’t have been another person of color.

As a showcase of artistic talent, a highly welcome original screenplay and a metaphor for positive change, this film stands tall in its own right. I am ROOTING for all studios to follow Netflix’s lead in taking a chance on original content as the art of screenwriting is vital to moviemaking.

After all there are plenty of flops in recent history created from books and other intellectual properties. There are never any guarantees. Allow screenwriters the chance to shine as brightly as all other artists in film as they once did and trust that artistry is so much more than a money machine.