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The Shallows

Sharks are like buses, you get a drought but when the ocean pours, you get more than you can chew and with the release of SHARKNADO 4, THE SHALLOWS adds something more series for the horror fan and gives a very good reason to not go skinny dipping next time you're on a secluded island.

 

Blake Lively (GOSSIP GIRL, SIMON SAYS) takes a much needed vacation to a secluded beach to surf her worries away. A beautiful coastline, the prefect wave and... a hungry shark await her.

 

Similar to 2003's OPEN WATER, this is a survival horror that pits man (or woman in this case) against the wild and natural predatory instinct of a shark with nothing but survival instinct but this shark picked on the wrong woman. THE SHALLOWS is a tense adrenaline fueled attack pitching its heroine against nature itself and battling for survival open to the elements.

 

Luckily, THE SHALLOWS saves the audience from the draining lack of action that OPEN WATER offered and instead paces itself with steady action and a terrifyingly dramatic clash for survival. While Lively holds her own, the movie isn't without its squeamish moments and director Jaume Collet-Serra brings together worlds of experience in horror (ORPHAN, HOUSE OF WAX) and action (NON-STOP, UNKNOWN) to deliver a threat that feels real and keeps the audience on the edge of its seat, a tough call for a film of this nature.

 

What could have easily been a drowning addition to the shark genre is sursprisingly satisfying and fresh. Without an over elaborate plot device, THE SHALLOWS keeps it simple but adds enough drama and action to make this the go to movie for anyone who wants a serial killer from mother nature. This is not one for the feint of heart and Lively's performance is a powerful fight to the end.

 

If there was any doubt about how chilling a few days alone at sea could be then THE SHALLOWS is a perfect advertisement and despite some glitzy split camera tricks throughout the film, this is a dark and gritty affair that brings drama and survival to the forefront of what is one of the most intense horror movies of the year.

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Released: 2016

Running Time: 86 minutes

Age Rating: 15

 

Reviewer: Martyn Wakefield

RATING


Plot: 3
Fear: 4
Gore: 4


R4/5​

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