The Sea Beast

The Sea Beast (2022) is set in a kingdom where hunters of sea monsters are treated as heroes. Jacob Holland grew up aboard a famous hunting ship. An orphan named Maisie stows away on it. Stranded at sea together, they realise the monsters are not what they were told; the real question is why the kingdom keeps the war going. The idea underneath is the writing of history. The kingdom's books say the monsters started the war, and the film asks whom that serves. Chris Williams directed. He had been part of the directing teams on Bolt, Big Hero 6 and Moana at Disney; this is his first film for Netflix. The sea and ship animation is its strongest quality, with the physics of water, rope and sail worked out in detail. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was the most watched film on Netflix the week it appeared. It runs 115 minutes. Good for: sea adventure, family animation, and creature design. Less good for: 115 minutes is long for children's animation and the middle sags. The story template is familiar, the adult hero and brave child being a well worn pattern. The sea battles are tense for small children.