Review of The Shallows (2016) by David B — 02 Sep 2016

I always tread carefully when it comes to Shark movies. Unlike say gangster movies although we have our masterpieces like The Godather 1 & 2 and Goodfellas there are other films in the genre while not as satisfying there is still quality product on offer, Sharks on celluloid don't have the same rich selection.

There really is only one Shark masterpiece and that is Jaws, not only is it the pinnacle of blockbuster film making it's also one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. Yes 2 is entertaining but the 3D one and the one with Michael Caine in are utter junk.

I will confess a penchant for Renny Harlin's trashy Deep Blue Sea ( Samuel Jackson's demise is worth admission fee on its own), some found footage films were OK a few years back but lets face it there is only one granddaddy and it's unlikely to change.

I caught the trailer to The Shallows a few months back and admit to being intrigued. Nancy (Blake Lively) has taken a trip to a secluded beach which is revealed to have a deep personal connection in the course of the film. She is here for some surfing and soul searching. Unfortunatley she's picked the wrong spot to do this as a territorial great white shark is using this area for feeding.

Depite it's economical 82 minutes this a slow bulid and also still gets time to breathe even after the first attack comes. This is Lively's show and not really an actress I've really rated before but she gives it her all here and provides us with one of the most formidable female heroines of recent times.

Those worried about the actual shark needn't worry, director Jaume Collet-Serra wisely like Spielberg chooses to use the shark sparingly and show it when really nescessary but near the end when it gets shown the most the C.G.I doesn't let us down and in all it's glory it's quite a formidable sight, Collett Serra makes the most of his $17000,000 budget.

It does for the most part try to offer something different from the obvious large shadow that hangs over all shark films but by the end it embraces it's nemesis and the riffs while recognisable are handled well and I had no problem with fantastical climax when it came.

We also get some quiet character moments and an unusual buddy in the shape of a seagul, Steven Seagul. From the moment Nancy enters the water I found myself on edge waiting for something to happen but the director isn't going to rush things but the tension is building throughout. In a crowded summer market of sequels and comic book adaptations, The Shallows is definitely a refreshing change and well worth a visit to the multiplex.