Carl Roberts 
“This is one series that definitely won’t sink below the waves to a watery grave. It doesn’t sink without a trace. Instead, Nautilus sails wonderfully from the very start.”
Back in 1954, Disney released their much-loved version of the classic Jules Verne novel, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. The film starred Kirk Douglas in the lead role of Ned Land. But it was the performance of James Mason as Captain Nemo that everyone is still talking about to this day. His performance was the ultimate version of the character. But the thing is, Nemo wasn’t how he appeared in the film and several others since. Nemo was actually written by Verne as an Indian Prince who was also known as Prince Dakkar, even though this wasn’t described in the original novel.
Now, that is being corrected in the new Prime Video series, Nautilus. In this captivating series, Nemo (Latin for ‘Nobody’), is played by British actor Shazad Latif. The full series becomes available from this Friday. But can Latif and the cast keep the series and the Nautilus afloat? Or should the series be cursed to the depths of the ocean?
PREMISE
The year is 1857. The British East India Company currently wields more power than any nation on Earth, thanks to its private armies and navy. While stealing the riches of the nations they’ve subdued. In Kalpani, India, a massive submersible ship, the Nautilus, is being secretly built by the Company using slave labour from the Colonial prison. Although originally designed as a vessel for undersea exploration, the Company intends to arm the Nautilus and use it as a new type of warship. One of the prisoners forced to build the Nautilus is Nemo. Who also designed the Nautilus’s engines, but who has also been planning a prisoner uprising in order to seize the Nautilus and use it to escape.
However, when plans are announced to have the Nautilus depart for Bombay days earlier than expected, Nemo and his followers still manage to successfully take over the Nautilus and escape out to sea. Now hunted by the East India Company and its vengeful Director Crawley. Both of whom want the Nautilus back and Nemo dead, Nemo and his motley crew sail beneath the seas. On a mission of retribution and vengeance to utterly destroy the power of the Company…and the Company itself.
THOUGHTS
Fans and non-fans alike fear not. Forget what you think you know. The series goes back to the novels and delivers an accurate, entertaining and superb piece of entertainment that doesn’t hesitate to thrill the audience. From the opening scene, which harks back to the 1954 film version in some ways. To the cliffhanger ending of this opening episode, the show doesn’t put a foot wrong. Anchored by an outstanding performance from Shazad Latif as Nemo, the series is one that the whole family can sit down with. Huddle together, marvel at and enjoy. And there’s more still to come. Of course, one famous sea monster will be making his/ her comeback later on. But that’s just the tip of the tentacle. What the makers and cast have done is deliver a piece of spectacular entertainment that deserves to be seen.
SHAZAD LATIF
Shazad Latif is perfectly cast as Nemo. He is dramatic, moody, a born leader, and a brilliant captain. Just how the character should be. From the minute we first see him, Latif owns the role, stepping into Nemo’s boots, and coat (eagle-eyed fans will have a field day discovering the easter eggs) with ease. He delivers a charismatic performance, one that makes the series sail at full speed. Not once do we sit back and not cheer on Nemo and his crew as they endeavour to escape. Those who have read the novels will instantly identify that the character has finally found the true actor to portray him. This is Nemo as he should be. Latif leads the series expertly and excellently. Fans and non-fans alike will be awed by the actor’s portrayal here. It is one that we will follow and enjoy throughout the ten episodes.
GEORGIA FLOOD
Georgia Flood plays the perfect foil in her role as Humility Lucas. A survivor of the opening to the episode, Humility is the snobbish, spoilt, strong-willed female that will prove to be a help to Nemo as well as a thorn in his side. From the moment she appears on screen, Georgia Flood gives a tremendously fun and enjoyable performance in her supporting role. Some may say she’s a female character who brings to mind Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swan in the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise. While the two characters do share some of the same traits, the comparison would be doing Georgia Flood an injustice. Her character will become one that we will follow, hope for, cheer on and be exasperated by throughout the season. Georgia Flood breathes life into Humility, bringing her to life in a fun, enjoyable, and delightful way.
THE SUPPORTING CAST
The supporting cast all fall into their roles and run with them in some highly enjoyable, exciting and funny scenes along the way. One character we will follow, feel for and hope for the best with is Thierry Frémont as Gustave Benoit. He becomes the voice of reason, the grounding element to keep Nemo on the right path, despite Nemo’s own plans and reservations. In an enlightening and truly superb performance, Frémont is one actor who also inhabits his character to the full.
The same can be said for Céline Menville as Loti, Humility’s maid/ guardian/ unexpected protector. Her scenes are a joy to watch and behold. One moment, she is tough as nails, not giving an inch, asking or expecting any quarter, the next dropping a line of dialogue that has us laughing. Loti’s total disdain for almost everyone leads to some scenes that are a complete joy. Again, hers is a character that actually grounds the series. Giving it the added weight to keep it on an even keel, never allowing it to go off course.
DAMIEN GARVEY
Damien Garvey as Director Crawley is the real villain of the series from the outset. The cruel, unyielding mastermind behind the Nautilus, Crawley is vile. We yearn to see him get his comeuppance at Nemo’s hand, to see him brought to his knees or to the brink of death, making him see what he has done to people in his unyielding quest. Garvey is nasty, evil and creepy in his role, giving the series its token villain in an epic and worthy performance. We will follow his quest for vengeance against Nemo and his desire to regain the Nautilus during the series while hoping he will fail at every turn.
THE VISUALS
The visual effects we see during this stellar opening are beautiful. Seeing the underwater world, the nooks and crannies hidden beneath the waves are superb. We also see a pod of Whales swimming in front of the Nautilus near the climax of the episode. This effect is breathtaking, allowing us a teasing glimpse of what we will see as the series moves forward. We know that we will encounter more creatures and monsters during the ten episodes, some more scary than others. We can actually believe we are seeing beneath the waves, are actually experiencing the undersea kingdom. With these incredible-looking sequences, we can allow ourselves to be fully immersed in what we are watching. Throw in the scenes that are enhanced by the effects outside of the water and we have a fully realised world, one that we can’t help but desire to see more of.
VERDICT
Nautilus is the kind of series that we can get invested in from the very start and beyond. Its blend of action, thrills, comedy, drama and adventure make it a winning piece of entertainment. Anchored by a superb performance from Shazad Latif, the possibilities of where this season and beyond can go are endless. With winning direction from Michael Matthews for this and the next two episodes, the series could fast become one of the most enjoyable and fascinating series on Prime Video. The performances are brilliant, the writing from James Dormer is beyond reproach and a winning score from Nainita Desai all gives us something that can’t fail to impress.
While we know that the series won’t always be set aboard the titular submarine and that we will step foot on land throughout the season, we are ready for everything that we are given. It is a deliciously tasty blend that suits all our tastes. The show could so easily have been waterlogged from the start. Thankfully, it is stunning above and beneath the waves. This is one series that definitely won’t sink below the waves to a watery grave. It doesn’t sink without a trace. Instead, Nautilus sails wonderfully from the very start. Sit back and take a deep dive above and below the ocean into a world of fun and adventure. Set sail and enjoy the ride.
Nautilus sets sail on Prime Video this Friday
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
