Orca

This film is far from perfect, but it is nowhere near as bad as the IMDb rating and critics say it is. Critics have said it is overblown, forgettable, unscary and laughable. For me, Orca is none of those things. Yes, it does have its flaws, but it is a very underrated flick that doesn't take itself too seriously. I don't think it is the best movie ever, but what I liked most about this was that it never tried to be. Of course the script is weak in places, the story takes a while to get going and the film is rather slow. But overall, it is above average and more than decent. The film is well shot with dark cinematography and nice scenery. The music by Ennio Morricone is very creepy and intense, and just shows what a great composer Morricone is. The film is also benefited by a good cast, primarily the late great Richard Harris as Captain Nolan and Charlotte Rampling in a thoughtful performance as the female lead. But what made the movie was Orca himself. That is one scary killer whale I will admit. The story, about a killer whale wanting revenge on some humans for the death of his mate and baby, is good and has some suspense and terror. I don't think Orca is laughable or forgettable at all. I saw it when I was 10 by accident for the first time on television while flicking through channels, and while I didn't see it again until recently(I am 17 by the way) and couldn't remember what it was called until my dad reminded me, I do specifically remember getting nightmares every time Orca arrived on screen. Overall, not perfect, but a more than decent and underrated flick. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This film was made during a time when Orca whales were not too well studied and known about. That being said, it puts a whole different sense of fear into the one watching the film. I'll call this the "boat scene" when a key point in the movie occurs, which is one of the most disturbing scenes in any film I have ever seen. It leaves you with a feeling of sorrow and pity for the antagonist (or protagonist?) and can only imagine the pain he must be feeling. The movie is so complex in its situations that it leaves the viewer with mixed feelings on who the overall winner should be. It remains one of the best marine horror movies in my book. I definitely recommend it.

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." Actually, it wasn't 'Jaws," but it wasn't bad, either. It was a pretty interesting film.

Notes on the movie: the scene where the baby comes out of the mother is NOT pleasant to watch......Richard Harris and Charlotte Rampling star, but a young Bo Derek is here, too, in a supporting role.

I watched this twice and that was enough.

The very beginning of this movie displays the peace, beauty, and greatness of Killer Whales. A person is saved from the jaws of a shark, by the mercy and strength of one of these whales. The event is witnessed by an ocean hunter, who decides to change his choice of prey to these great beasts. He eventually harpoons one allright, but what he thought would be a simple kill turns out to be something closer to murder! This is a "ONE OF A KIND" movie, that I think delivers "not bad" , for its' time. Unusually, artistic soundtrack. A must see for movie lovers.

I've seen this movie at least a dozen times since it's release. The first time I saw it, I was very young, perhaps 8 or 9, and while I found it upsetting and sad at parts, as an adult I can look back and say it speaks so much more to me than say, "Free Willy." The movie follows the events in a fisherman's life following the capture of a killer whale. On the surface, it can appear grim and gory, but underneath there is a stirring tale about a man who has lost everything he held dear, has given up all feeling because of past events and leads an almost hostile towards life existence and then gradually comes to understand that because he was hurt, does not give him an excuse not to feel. Yes, the premise does dabble in the fantasy world, however the point isn't whether this could happen but the growth of the central character. Not once have I been able to watch this movie and not been moved by it.