Is it me or did it seem a little shortsighted to not go into the ship without any bags, backpacks or equipment of any kind? Seemed silly to see Michael Caine carrying a couple little bags of loot over his shoulder when he could have had a decent take with a simple backpack.
Also, as others have pointed out, whoever was Wilbur's diving buddy sucked at being a buddy.
Michael Caine's character and his crew's logic were incredible. First, they only surmised that there would be treasure on board the ship, but had no concrete evidence for their assumption. Also, I find it highly incredible that they would risk their lives to salvage some wealth just to relieve some financial troubles. I thought about the bags and equipments as well. For a crew of their size to salvage the wealth that supposedly is left on a huge ocean liner, they were severely unprepared. They would have needed many large bags and perhaps equipments and much physical strength to move hazards and debris of the way to navigate through the ruined ship.
Ultimately though, it's futile to bring logic to a picture like this. The filmmakers didn't try very hard and their aspirations were very low. Their goal was to cash in on the success of the first film. I hated the Telly Savalas subplot, which was completely dispensable and merely produced mindless, boring, obligatory, and formulaic gunfire and action, probably because the filmmakers thought that that the mass audience would enjoy such kind of action and that the main plot was inadequate.
"...sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.” ~ Cool Hand Luke
Great post, jztzt. Couldn't agree more. I remember watching an interview with Irwin during production, and he claimed that no expense was spared in re-creating the ship and exteriors of the overturned hull. But when one glimpses the gleaming, pristine-clean hull just barely jutting out of the water, the movie just dies right then and there. I mean, honestly, a set designer didn't know to have it rusty and worn (after all, it was going to be scrapped after the holiday cruise)? It doesn't even resemble the matte painting used in the original film.
And why was the sea so peaceful and calm? Not a single swell or even an escaping air bubble. The hull looked as solid as a rock. And to think that there was no debris field floating in the water. Deck chairs, bodies, paper, furniture, etc. Just ridiculous!
Just watching it on TV now. Had me curious as I watch the original at the movies. Even then someone mentioned that this 40 year old ship was off to the knackers yard not one barnacle on the bottom! With this film I agree with Jackthemack, no debris, bodies or even one deck chair! After such a catastrophe, no media, other boats in the area, the place should be swarming.
SkiesAreBlue
No safety equipment, no backpacks and Telly Savales dressed in a white suit! Nobody even had the foresight to bring a pair of gloves! Telly seemed to have a little doctor's bag, which was potently just for show! Hilarious!
It ain't the Ganges, but you go with what you got." ~ Ken Talley, "The Fifth of July"