Pressure

This movie was part of my B movie genre one afternoon. I usually am not the thriller type, I typically prefer more action adventure oriented (Deep Star 6, The Abyss etc...) There were elements that reminded me of Das Boot. However I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed it. The Good: The acting was surprisingly good, the script writing was good, the effects were good. The Bad: The plot is a little predictable at times, but this is just an adaptation of Lifeboat. Character development could have been a little better, I didn't feel as invested in any of the characters as I felt I should have. Generally I did enjoy it, I probably will not watch is again, but I would recommend it to anyone

Pressure is an example of how to make a small scale movie right. Put several characters on a predicament and let them resolve the increasingly dangerous issues with nature and probably each other. The movie is set nearly exclusively on one location, yet this claustrophobic environment is showcased with rich visual, even sometimes ironically beautiful. The cast, though small, has enough drama for an engaging thriller.

Story follows four men who are tasked to fix oil pipeline on sea bed. This is a very risky job since there's a storm brewing and sure enough, they find themselves trapped underwater. With pressure differential, amongst other lethal problems, they have to work together to ensure their survival. The plot offers healthy amount of realism with its taxing physical condition as well as human nature in jeopardy.

Surprisingly, the simple setting and premise are effective in creating tension. Characters are decent, each of them has their own vice and these make the already volatile situation escalate. Delivery from the actors are nice, coupled with good pacing, the dynamic between them feels natural. It is quick on introduction and doesn't prolong the scenes needlessly, making the desperate men appear more identifiable.

Graphic is not the usual sea oriented or submarine movie, it's in fact quite pristine. The overall tone is painted with blue tint, it eases the sense of dread in sophisticated way. Some of the scenes have outstanding cinematography so the audience won't be lost despite the murky surroundings. A minor obstacle is the movie use to specific lingo that might confuse casual viewer, but majority of the time the dilemma is expressed with adequate simplicity so it can easily capture the thrill.

Cleverly implementing fast pace, good characters and clear visual, Pressure makes the modest premise into an engrossing voyage.

Actually I enjoyed it - it was interesting .. a low budget movie which goes after a major problem with oil industries and problems.. It was well played ...Kinda a unused story after the basic plot.. It's perfectly watchable, if not quite on a nerve-shredding par with lung-busting thrillers like The Poseidon Adventure, The Abyss or Black Sea. You learn plenty watching this film and their job not only is challenging but VERY RISKY!! I commend those men and the divers that do what they do in the military or the civilian sector. We have a group of divers sent 650 feet below the surface to fix an oil pipeline during a storm. While they are underwater they become separated from their ship and they must stick together to figure out how to rejoin the ship and survive. Some will say the film was predictable but I differ. I always kept HOPE. The last 34 minutes were devastating, tense, gripping as I saw these divers doing the impossible to remain alive. If you don't decompress your body will experience horrible pain. I will not reveal anything else but to all my film aficionados, this is a gem and it is available in HD on Netflix instant streaming. What are you waiting for? WATCH IT!!!

I did not enjoy this movie for the price of $6.99

The plot is predictable and shallow, the acting is subpar, and production felt thrown together like it was made in a Olympic sized pool with little thought given to making it feel deep, dangerous, and under pressure. Flashing lights in the "bell", shaking camera work, character development jumping around forcing you to care about their pasts like it matters ( it doesn't) and all the way to the end felt like 100% cliché. Don't waste the cash on this one, wait for it to come on the local cable. Im not a critic, but I watch 2-3 movies every single night.. I made an account just to review this movie and warn others that it is not worth spending money to watch.

It is NOTHING like the Abyss, and far from Black Sea ( and I didn't exactly love that one either, but Id watch it twice over this once).

I predicted everything that happened in this movie, rolled my eyes nonstop and said out loud several times.. how is this film $6.99!!??

It's not a masterpiece, and it is contrived, but it's a fairly good. Cole is probably the most compelling character, but all the guys are pretty good.

This picture suffers quite a lot by the continual confusion about, well, pressure. Cole's hair gell explodes under increasing pressure, and later he has a dental embolism under increasing pressure... sorry, I thought Lew Grade was long in the box- they're both backward.