Oscar-winning director Ron Howard is back with his latest muse, Chris Hemsworth, with whom he made the motor-racing movie, Rush.
This time they're tackling a whale of a tale and a classic. In the Heart of the Sea is the Moby Dick story for the big screen, and it's just hit cinemas in New Zealand.
Whaling is alive and kicking in 1800s Nantucket, the whaling capital of the world providing the lion's share of whale oil to keep the home fires burning.
Brave and fearless First Mate Owen Chase sets sail with a captain he doesn't rate, all on a mission to return with a shipload full of barrels and many a whale tale to their credit.
This time, they got much more than they bargained for when it come to a tale.
This is based on the legendary Moby Dick story, the great white whale who took on the men trying to kill him – one man in particular (Hemsworth).
It's a hard life at sea, even without Moby Dick stalking your every move, and Chase and his noble Captain and all the men aboard The Essex will be forced to the brink in order to survive. Only some of them will.
This is an epic seafaring man versus monster tale, and with Howard at the helm it was never going to be a waste of the ticket price, but it's still not his best work.
The story surges and ebbs along with the tide and never fully sets sail. There is certainly that sense of adventure into the unknown, and Hemsworth once again reminds us he's a movie star.
Three stars.
In the Heart of the Sea:: Director: Ron Howard :: Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Tom Holland, Brendon Gleeson, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw, Jordi Molla:: Rating: M:: Running Time: 121 minutes:: Release Date: In cinemas now
