Review of Deep Blue Sea (1999) by Jack O — 10 Aug 2018

Silly but strangely compelling.

In a floating research facility, scientists are exploring a possible cure for Alzheimer's Disease. This involves genetically modifying the brains of Mako sharks, making them super-intelligent, and much larger than normal. There are three of these sharks at the facility. Then, after a freak accident, the sharks escape. Worse still, the facility is sinking...

Mostly your average creature-horror movie, which is not a good thing. Plot is pretty basic: pretty standard setup for disaster, one-dimensional, cartoonish characters and some incredibly cheesy dialogue (LL Cool J gets the worst of it, with some ridiculous lines).

So, on the surface, nothing going for it. Yet, the story is strangely compelling. The reason for this the unpredictability of it. You can usually judge who the heroes are going to be by who among the actors has a bigger name. This movie breaks that formula, killing off people you thought would last to the final scene. Some great red herrings. Makes for some wonderfully unexpected moments.

Also means that it is not a given that there is going to be a happy ending, making it more interesting.

So, better than your average creature-horror, though not that this says much.