It's the most terrifying beast I'd ever seen. At 55 meters tall, it can block the rays of the sun. Fleeing from it is not an option; it can travel nine thousand kilometers, before it runs out of gas. The strength of the thing is so incredible, it can carry a helicopter on its back. Its eyes can spot you over a hundred kilometers, and if you dive in the water, they can follow you to the ocean floor.
That isn't even the worst of it. You see this kind of monster is very well armed. A single shell from the gun it carries, is big enough to total your family van. It has more missile launchers than you can keep up with, and your answering shots just bounce right off.
I'm talking about a modern navy warship here, but if you didn't guess that, I can't say I blame you. If you're one of the few that's in the know, you'll recognize the name of the Hobart Class Destroyer. The general public knows nothing about this vessel, and I think it's safe to say they couldn't care less. The thing is, their disinterest really isn't their fault; the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of entertainment.
Classic Movie Trailers - The Enemy Below (1957)
According to Star Trek, space is the final frontier, and in the case of humanity I suppose that's true. If we're talking about fiction, space has been done, and the final frontier is underneath the waves. Tell me if you can name just five properties, that are somehow involved with the sea. I'm sure you can come up with a novel and a movie here or there, but where are the franchises? Where are the trilogies and where are the blockbusters?
Off the top of my head, the only things worth noting are "Pirates of The Caribbean" and the "Sea Quest" TV show. That's it and that's truly pathetic. Water covers two-thirds of the globe and the best thing we can come up with is "Deadliest Catch"? Reality shows shouldn't be alone here. Scripted programs should be right behind.
Who's to say science-fiction can't happen in the sea? Of course it can and it should. Besides, the spaceships in the Star Wars fleet, have obviously been inspired by ships in real life. The thing about it is, the seas are complicated and in many ways, they're more interesting than space.
The pressure increases with the depth of the water, but sonar still illuminates the dark ocean floor. Think about how many animal species are undiscovered, then multiply that figure if you've only considered land. War on water is unlike anywhere else. We've seen submarines shooting torpedoes, but if one vessel dives and the other cannot, what happens then?
Fortunately, this movie sheds some light on that subject. To be honest with you, that's what kept me fascinated. I'm watching as a film buff and as an author, so I'm soaking up as much information as possible. When you think about it, that's the problem with water; traveling in it and on it are tough things to understand.
The vessels and proper sailing are hard subjects for me. All I know is portside, starboard, fore and aft, but trust me, that's a lot more than most audiences. If you've enlisted in the navy or you've sailed most of your life, the information you hold is a hurdle for the rest of us. People don't commonly measure speed in knots, and we have no concept of a nautical mile.
For the uninitiated these are huge obstacles, especially when they're presented in a feature length film. One hundred and twenty minutes is not enough time, to teach people everything and keep them entertained. It's going to take an incredible script and a fantastic director, to come up with anything that doesn't put us to sleep. "Titanic" was popular, but that's one film in one genre, when the setting we're discussing can handle them all.
Where are the horror films? How many horror films are on the water? It's really ridiculous, when you stop and think about it. There should be a treasure trove of material on this. When you pee in the pool, it should be because of something you saw; if that's not happening you're not being served.
Science is in the waves. Action is on the waves. There's no reason why fantasy can't be there as well. You can lose yourself in the number of fantasy novels, reading about men traveling on horseback. We can't do the same with boats?
The first one that gives us Star Trek on the sea, will be the biggest creative genius ever recorded. The first author to follow "Pirates" with something bigger, will create a franchise that lasts a hundred years. The crafty devil that makes us fear the waves, will show that "Jaws" is not as scary as the mind. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your earth. If you spend the whole time out of water you're missing a whole lot.
Trailer Here.
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@ChannelSeals
See "The Enemy Below" on Netflix!
Next Week: Leap Year Jump! (No Post on 2/29)
3/7/16 - The Start of Give Me Comics March - Properties that should be expanded episodically.
"The Prophecy" is first, followed by "Escape From L.A.", "Darkman" and "Starship Troopers".
EXTRA: The Hobart Class Destroyer
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