Director: Johannes Roberts.
Starring: Mandy Moore, Claire Holt, Matthew Modine, Chris Johnson, Yani Gellman, Santiago Segura.
Now, I'm not a massive fan of swimming in the oceans and seas, being in that expanse where I don't believe we belong. We're just visitors that can be so easily deported at any given moment. And this film really enforces that, putting together a string of events that would be any diver's worse possible nightmare.
Two sisters go on holiday in Mexico, each representing two very different attitudes towards adventure. Kate, the younger, being brave, daring and fun with the eldest, Lisa, being reserved, cowardly and accused of being boring. The gauntlet is laid down and Lisa is convinced to go far beyond her comfort zone. Cage diving.
As expected, things go from bad to worse with fate and the odds set against them plotting the pair in constant life-depending dilemmas. It's claustrophobic, gut-wrenchingly nerve-racking, and actually had me checking my watch; not because it dragged, it didn't, but because I wanted the ordeal to just end whatever the outcome. At times I just wanted the sharks to eat them and be done with it, so it would be over.
I'm assuming the filmmakers did their research, as they end up just below the average recreational diving depth, hence the title. I'm no scuba diver, nor have I got an ambition to be one, especially after watching this; so I'm really unsure of the instructions given out here and wonder if any divers get annoyed at any misconceptions, if any, are portrayed by the film.
The performances are not to amazing standard, but they do, they work, but it does represent the budget of the movie. Sadly at times Moore's Lisa reminded my of Nemo's Dory. (I know! Another one.) I also couldn't see the point of having Modine star, no offence to him, but he's hardly a bankable star but it does feel he's there just to bolster the billing.
Much like Jaws, the shark's presence is always there, looming in the deep, but it seldom seen until it's too late. But the sharks here aren't the star of the movie, even less so than last year's The Shallows. However, having said that, it's still a great addition to the shark movie collection, actually with the premise being very much like Open Water's third instalment, Cage Dive (yes, there was more than a sequel.)
It's done well to get a theatrical release as this could have so easily been a straight to stream/DVD film. It does show but at the same time, it achieves it's purpose. Captivating, entertaining and certainly puts me off swimming in the sea.
Running Time: 8
The Cast: 6
Performance: 6
Direction: 7
Story: 7
Script: 5
Creativity: 7
Soundtrack: 7
Job Description: 8
The Extra Bonus Point: 0
61% 6/10
