Review of The Shallows (2016) by Boyana Z — 08 Jul 2016

This flick was surprising in very unexpected ways. For starters, it really ain't that great. It's an average, old-fashioned B-movie that happens to have 2 or 3 genuine white-knuckle sequences. It utilizes hyper-modern filmmaking techniques (i.

E., showing text messaging and face chatting overlapping the actual scenes rather than split screen) and an overly hip soundtrack to boot. Slow-mo wave-riding and camera-ogling Blake Lively's admittedly perfectly toned bod? You betcha.

Yeah, this is pretty much as disposable as they come...except not...for 2 for specific reasons. First off, lemmie get this off my chest. I've never been a Blake Lively fan. Of the few films that I've managed to see her in, she's been absurdly bland.

She exudes little to no charisma and is nowhere near as attractive as she seems to think that she is. Here, however, Lively isn't just better than she's ever been before, she's a revelation.

In this small, 90 minute micro-thriller, she truly comes into her own. She makes her character believably resourceful, charming, and alternately tough-as-nails when the situation calls for it. Her very presence makes the entire film fun and has the audience rooting for her in even the most ridiculous scenes.

Yes, she's THAT good. Secondly, the previously mentioned tight-clipped sequences are pretty damn thrilling and will definitely have you at the edge of your seat. If only the rest of the movie could keep itself together, tonally speaking, we would've had a new shark classic on our hands.

Still though, it's a universe ahead of Sharknado and I'm interested to see where Blake Lively goes now with this newfound gusto.