|
 Director
: Renny Harlin
Starring
: Thomas Jane, LL cool J, Michael Rappaport, Stellan Skarsgard,
Saffron Burrows and Samuel L Jackson.
Picture
1.85:1 anamorphic, DD 5.1, Dual-Layer, Single-side, Snap
Case
Running
Time : 105 Minutes
The
story:
Your
worst fear is about to surface
On
an undersea laboratory, a team of researchers have genetically
altered the brains of captive sharks to develop a potential
cure for Alzheimers disease. A side effect of the experiment
is that the sharks are getting smarter, faster and meaner.
When a tropical storm hits the facility head on its traps
the researchers underground with the rapidly developing
sharks and leads to a harrowing and exhilarating rise to
the surface in order to escape.
The
summary:
The
premise of this film is loosely based around a scientific
phenomenon that occurs in sharks. They seem to be the only
species of animals on the planet that can actually regenerate
their brain cells. This is embellished somewhat into the
story so that it can be used in the fight against Alzheimer's
disease if properly studied . Despite this interesting find
the film takes the same stance as Jurrassic Park did in
the light of ground breaking scientific discoveries and
descends into an out and out horror actioner that tries
to out do Jaws with its nineties budget and effects. Does
it work ? well yes and no.
Firstly
in its defence the film works well in its own right as an
action movie set against the backdrop of a research facility.
It has suspense in most of the right places and updates
the shark legend that Jaws started with its superb visual
effects, camera trickery and oh so lifelike mechanical robot
sharks. The fairly low budget cast also serve the film well
even though the script is slightly lacking at times and
the appearence of Samuel L jackson lifts it up another notch.
But lets look at its shortcomings;
In
a film that deals with an apparently ground breaking scientific
discovery we don't seem to have much of an intelligent script
to work with. I know its an action film and scripts don't
always count for much but if we compare it to Jaws (Which
is inevitable) it suffers badly with its lack of realism
and the superhuman feats of some of the cast. It also rips
off a number of other films (posiedon adventure, Aliens
and of course Jaws) with its eagerness to shock. What we
get is an amalgam of some of the key action moments from
a number of films, reworked and put back together with a
few linking scenes to add some "depth" (no pun
intended).
As I said above this film does entertain with its stunning
effects, great sound and good set pieces. But if it is gritty
realism you are looking for then try Jaws as this is a true
bred Hollywood-isation of the genre. Overall it is slightly
above average and has therefore been given a seven. The
DVD itself is slightly better than the recent region 2 release
and offers a nicely put together package of extra's.
|
