Blu-ray Review – The Neptune Factor

1973's "The Neptune Factor" takes viewers into the depths of the ocean on a rescue mission that encounters its share of fantasy challenges and enormous amounts of exploration. It's meant to be engrossing escapism, showcasing actors concentrating on the moment, attempting to turn some crude filmmaking magic into a pulse-pounding ride of bizarre discoveries. Intention is there on the screen, often carried along single-handedly by co-star Ernest Borgnine, but "The Neptune Factor" can be quite ridiculous if one doesn't buy into the special effects wizardry on display. Its cheesiness is pronounced, making any viewing of the effort a game of stifling laughs and battling yawns, as director Daniel Petrie is so enamored with his submersibles, he forgets to build an engaging thriller, with long stretches of the feature devoted to characters staring out of windows, trying to project a feeling of awe the picture doesn't inspire. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com