THE SHALLOWS (2016)

Directed By: Jaume Collet-Serra 
Written By: Anthony Jaswinski 
Cinematography By: Flavio Martinez Labiano 
Editor: Joel Negron 


Cast: Blake Lively, Oscar Jaenada, BrettCullen, Sedona Legge, Diego Espejel

In the taut thriller The Shallows, when Nancy is surfing on a secluded beach, she finds herself on the feeding ground of a great white shark. Though she is stranded only 200 yards from shore, survival proves to be the ultimate test of wills, requiring all of Nancy's ingenuity, resourcefulness, and fortitude.

The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2014 Blacklist, a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year.

The film lives up to it's title and against it title. As it has surprising depth and isn't shallow as the material would first thought to be out of the simplicity of the plot. The only thing that is shallowness that for most of the film the main character has to hope for those kinds of waters to stay alive and make her plan.

This is a film meant to be seen in a theater to have the most meaningful experience that seem to lack the power and excitement when watched on a television screen no matter the size or how impressive the sound system it just seems to lose something

I really admire this film if for anything. The film offers a kick ass female hero. Not exactly an action hero. As this is a survivor's tale. She is not giving in and chooses to fight back for her survival. Though it gives us a hero who is resourceful, smart and skilled.

Blake Lively truly has a big screen film where she definitely is impressive and memorable as she truly shows a humanistic side but also a warrior one. She is definitely a role model for the big screen showing you can be good looking and still have smarts and determination. Which unfortunately even to this day is rare on the big screen. When it comes to major market films. Especially as the film is mainly built around her versus a vicious shark we see glimpses of for the most part until the underwater scenes.Which could be seen in comparison to JAWS, but it's hard to be original when it comes to sharks and situations they can be used as natural predators fora riveting story or film.

The film keeps the proper amount of tension throughout. It suggest the violence rather than bathing the film in it.

When it seems like it will begin to get slow it actually offers up another vital or scare not a jump scare but a real scare.

The film is simple and really works until the end where it gets maybe a little far-fetched but you will forgive the film for finding it's own conclusion that isn't as strong as the rest of the film. So feels a little like a let down, but makes the film more than passable.

This is one of the better film from director Jaume Collet-Serra who seemed to be making average but interesting action thrillers. Her though it is still a popcorn film it is more a full fledged thriller. Especially considering he wasn’t even the original director. Louis Leterrier was originally set to direct but exited the film, due to creative differences and the reduction of previously told budget.

The film is filled With plenty of beautiful sights and shots. Great backgrounds. Plenty to look at other then the appeal of the lead actress and the underwater shots. Though the film takes place on the open sea. It manages to keep the tension throughout feel more claustrophobic.

Like another recent film HUSH. Which was also a thriller the scenarios portrayed in here films is terrifying. The film makes the situation realistic but gives off an energy that makes watching the film exciting throughout. It doesn't have major stakes just a universal one of survival.

It's a tight little Film that deserves an audience.


Grade: B-