Review of The Shallows (2016) by Robert B — 29 Aug 2016

THE SHALLOWS REVIEW.

FANTASTIC - 8/10.

Another brilliant film set in the one place where we follow minimum characters with a great story.

I admit that when I first saw the trailer I rolled my eyes when I thought it was going to be predictable and dull as it tries to walk in the footsteps of Steven Spielberg's Jaws. But I was proved wrong and I'm glad for it. Director Jaume Collet-Serra (Run All Night, Non-Stop) continues to flex his skills with suspenseful one place films while keeping the drama on the character and their predicaments intense.

About a Texas medical student, Nancy, whose last wish to her mother is to find the secret beach she found many years ago. When she finds it, she gets more than she bargained for.

Blake Lively (Gossip Girl, Savages) steals the screen with her believable traits of a girl in trouble and one who can take of herself. But the shark was the most impressive as it turned into a game of cat and mouse between predator and prey as they try to outwit each other.

The only supporting casts are two fellow surfers and her father and sister whose appearance is via video call. In which we see all the details on screen of what our hero is seeing and thinking, which works especially for the audience. But the highlights come from the little unexpected ally Nancy makes through the course of the film.

The only negative thing I could say is the poor obvious CGI on the animals beside the shark. Then again the CGI animals are better here then the laughable creatures in films like Shark Night and Jaws 3.

An engaging film from beginning to end with plenty of suspense to keep you satisfied. If you love a good suspense story and love the one location films then you'll be glad to see this.

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