Opened: December 11, 2015

Directed by: Ron Howard

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Whishaw, Michelle Fairley, Gary Beadle, Frank Dillane, Edward Ashley, Charlotte Riley, Donald Sumpter, Brooke Dimmock, Jamie Sives, Joseph Mawle & Paul Anderson

Based on the true story that inspired Moby Dick, In the Heart of the Sea wants to be an epic film but falls short despite a strong cast.

In 1850, author Herman Melville (Ben Whishaw) asks Thomas Nickerson (Brendan Gleeson) to share his story of being on the Essex whaling ship. In 1820, a teenage Nickerson (Tom Holland) boards the doomed ship led by Captain George Pollard (Benjamin Walker) and first mate Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth).

Though the ship has an American crew, Walker is the only American actor onboard and Hemsworth has a hard time keeping his American accent.

The CGI often looks fake and makes the intensity level lessen. The most stressful parts of the film come from the human interactions with the whale being more of an afterthought.

Final say: A lot of heart with little return. ★★☆☆☆