Review of The Shape of Water (2017) by Connor S — 27 Dec 2017

Many people believe The Shape of Water is a prequel for Abe Sapien, a character from Hellboy, but director Guillermo del Toro himself has explained this movie is actually a thinly-veiled remake of The Creature from the Black Lagoon, something he has wanted to do for years. Remakes are usually low-effort cash crops for an industry bankrupt of ideas, but in the case of The Shape of Water, this remake feels like a labor of love.

First, I have to say this movie is exhibit A of why I hate trailers so much. If you've seen the red band trailer, then you pretty much know the entire plot. That trailer made it a lot harder for me to enjoy the movie for what it is. Granted, the plot does have issues on its own, like how little development there is. Even with the spoilers, though, The Shape of Water was never boring, in part thanks to the performances. Sally Hawkins manages to be a compelling lead despite, or perhaps because of, never saying a word. The supporting cast likewise is all excellent, bringing much-needed depth to the movie.

What really makes this movie special is its vision. Guillermo del Toro pulled this off in a way that only he can. Every fiber of this movie is filled with del Toro's unique imagination that has made him a favorite of both geeks and film critics. The set design, color palette, and the use of water all remind me of the underwater city of Rapture in BioShock. Like he did in the otherwise forgettable Suburbicon, Alexandre Desplat has composed a moving score that takes us back to the Cold War. All the while, del Toro includes fantasy themes that make this movie a brand new take on the era. The Shape of Water is a testament to how Guillermo del Toro, as well as everyone else who worked on it, are among the best in the business.