Review of The Shallows (2016) by Curtis S — 15 Jan 2019
The Shallows sets the bar for what a shark attack thriller can be. Managing to be both grounded in survival drama at times and fantastical in supernatural action sequences, it delivers consistently heart pounding suspense.
The first half of the movie was executed in a way that I was wondering if the film was based on a true story, with it's somewhat slow start giving the protagonist a backstory and realistic shark behavior.
The second act changed this notion, as the body count grew beyond what a single shark, to my knowledge anyway, has ever wrought in a single incident. The hungry beast also began to behave supernaturally in attempts to consume its prey, which was particularly scary given the rare glimpses of the shark throughout the first half of the movie.
If the far-fetched action of the film's climax contrast unsavorily with early realistic parts of the story, the intense visual effects and Blake Lively's strong performance make up for it. Overall, The Shallows is a thoroughly engaging, bone-chilling shark movie that had me on the edge of my seat frequently.
This review of The Shallows (2016) was written by Curtis S on 15 Jan 2019.
The Shallows has generally received positive reviews.
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