Review of The Shallows (2016) by Spangle — 25 Jun 2016

A thrilling and entertaining piece of modern film, The Shallows features all of the trapping of a cash grab teen scream flick - attractive lead, use of texting, and a bad trailer - but it transcends them all by being a smartly crafted, tight, and taut thriller.

While I admit that Blake Lively knows how to wear a bikini, this is certainly not the focal point as she proves doubters wrong by kicking ass from beginning to end. Director Jaume Collet-Serra does a good job creating well crafted thrills, instead of relying on cheap jump scares and like.

Instead, a chilly atmosphere and sense of permeating dread is a constant presence in the film. However, Lively takes center stage here as pretty much the only actor we encounter (aside from a few brief side characters).

Though she had not done much to inspire hope as an actress with this much screen time, she knocks it out of the park. While not award winning by any means, her performance is quite good and hints at some untapped potential.

Additionally, the cinematography is breath taking, resulting in one of the prettiest end credits I have ever seen. Though, from beginning to end, the film has a fantastic look and feel that maximizes on the fantastic setting, even when things turn dire.

Overall, The Shallows is not the best film of the year by any means, but is is perfect summertime counter programming. Entertaining, thrilling, and well made, The Shallows delivers.