Cast: Paul Walker, Dwayne Adway, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Scott Caan, Ramon Saunders, Ashley Scott, Chris Taloa
Director: John Stockwell
Screenplay: Matt Johnson
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rated: M moderate violence, moderate coarse language, drug references
Running Time: 110 Minutes

Treasure Has Its Price

Synopsis:
Paul Walker and Jessica Alba are a pair of in-love Bahamas-dwelling naturalists; she wrangles sharks at a local water park, he shepherds tourist scuba divers around the local reefs. Their beach bum tranquillity gets a jolt when their fast-talking buddy (Scott Caan) and his drug-user girlfriend (Ashley Scott), come to visit. While out on a dive the foursome uncover what could be a dagger from an 18th century pirate ship, but nearby also happens to be a crashed plane laden with cocaine. Moral quandaries ensue, bad guys get wind of the drugs, guns come out, and the plot thickens.

My Verdict:
Living an idyllic paradise lifestyle, Jared (Paul Walker) believes that he will one day find treasure beneath the seas of the Bahamas. Along with his girlfriend Sam (Jessica Alba) they spend their spare time diving for treasure, find a gold dagger from what could be the find of the century and when Jared's lawyer friend Bryce (Scott Caan) arrives for a holiday they stumble on a crashed plane whilst diving that had a cargo of cocaine. This cocaine could make them rich but the moral dilemma is obviously that it's illegal. What to do...

'Into The Blue' is a good guys versus the bad guys action movie but you're not always aware of just who is on whose side and who will turn. Whilst there is always the feeling that Jared and Sam will find their long-for treasure, it's the extreme measures they have to take to make their dream come true that happens a little too fast and a little too unrealistically, along with killing a few people along the way.

Paul Walker looks the part as the patient treasure hunter, happy to barely exist financially while searching for that elusive bounty and why wouldn't he when he has Jessica Alba at his side. Jessica spends most of the movie wearing only the smallest of bikinis, showing plenty of tanned skin, not much body fat and with a strong moral ethic. They make a good couple but that is threatened when Bryce arrives with his new drug-loving girlfriend of less than 24hours, Amanda (Ashley Scott), and sure enough everyone's honesty is soon tested. Greed is an essential part of the story and how that can make or break friendships.

There are plenty of underwater scenes including some tense moments involving sharks and lots of underwater breath-holding sequences - just how long can these people hold their breaths? Interspersed throughout are shots of some creatures from the deep, which add to the calming effect of the beautiful blue waters and the seemingly laid-back lifestyle.

'Into The Blue' doesn't have the power to enter it into the high seas category of movies but it is certainly entertaining enough and has a sufficient amount of action, drama and adventure to maintain some interest.

Rating : **½

Christina Bruce