Renny Harlin's new thriller film Deep Water is a production that merges the spirit of classic 1970s disaster films with modern action. At the heart of the film is the tragedy that unfolds during a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai and the subsequent struggle for survival. Aaron Eckhart stars as pilot Ben, who is trying to save money for his son's cancer treatment, while the plane, captained by Ben Kingsley, unexpectedly faces a crisis. Harlin showcases his expertise in action, particularly through the presentation of the initial accident and the rapidly unfolding events.

The screenplay, contributed by five writers, follows typical disaster film patterns and moves quickly. Among the passengers are various characters: the rule-breaking disruptive passenger Dan, the couple Declan and Jaya who leave their children behind to join the Mile High Club, ship's captain Sam, and several other passengers. Each character embodies the classic disaster film's typical "victim" profile, and the film playfully utilizes these expectations.

The source of the plane's problem is a faulty charger that Dan placed in his luggage, which causes a fire in the cargo hold. Harlin presents the escalating dangers of an uncontrollable fire, faulty equipment, and a drop in cabin pressure with dynamic cameras and fast-paced editing. Scenes of fuel canisters ricocheting in the cabin, bags flying around, and drink service carts turning into shrapnel evoke memories of that famous experience in Die Hard 2.

The plane makes a massive crash landing in the Pacific Ocean, at which point the film transitions to a new disaster. With the courage shown by pilot Ben and cabin crew members Lucy Barrett and Na Shi, the survivors begin to struggle in a terrifying marine environment. Here, the film combines elements of the disaster genre with shark attack themes, offering a nostalgic journey from 1974's The Towering Inferno to Jaws.

The film features actors such as Kate Fitzpatrick, Angus Sampson, Li Wenhan, and Molly Belle Wright in various roles. Notably, Madeleine West's character, veterinarian Martine, stands out with her nuanced and strong performance. However, the screenplay, written by four writers (in addition to Pete Bridges, Shayne Armstrong, SP Krause, and Damien Power, John Kim), does not leave enough room for character development, resulting in many characters remaining one-dimensional.

Deep Water is an intriguing experiment that blends 1970s disaster cinema with contemporary action cinema. While it may not be one of Renny Harlin's most original projects, it serves as an entertaining vehicle that can be enjoyable. The film's 1 hour and 46-minute runtime flies by with the fast pace of the unfolding action, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish.