Directed by : Jaume Collet-Serra
Written by : Anthony Jaswinski
Starring : Blake Lively
Release Date : June 24, 2016
When it comes to watching movies, sometimes you just want to get exactly what you expect. No more. No less. That's what "The Shallows" accomplishes. You want to watch a movie about a bikini clad female surfer try and survive a shark attack? Well, here you go. The movie may not appear to be that deep plot wise, but it's also not that shallow either (pun intended). There is actually some establishing backstory given to the primary character, and there are plot points to suggest why this shark is so unusually aggressive.
Although you would think this movie would be simply described to be a "shark movie," it's really closer in the realm of being a story about survival. There are a series of life threatening ordeals; plus pure bad luck, that Blake Lively's character faces here, and she will have to use her wits and courage to overcome them. You'll see her do some clever things in this movie, and those are some celebratory moments, but the movie does not shy away from relying on some plot conveniences to help move the story along either.
Visually this film is absolutely wonderful to look at. From the waves in the water, the island and it's beach, the bird's eye view, the underwater shots, to the picture in picture mode that visualizes the use of her smart phone and wrist watch. The cinematography and those camera angles found here are spectacular to see, with picturesque views that would look great as desktop wallpapers. The shark being a CG character looks awesome too, and then there's also the fact that Blake Lively looks absolutely amazing in a bikini. All that beauty contrasts the painful scenes of seeing Blake Lively get physically hurt over and over again.
"The Shallows" is a survival-thriller that's simply a solid summer movie to watch. As the sole primary character, Blake Lively carries this movie on her own remarkably well. Although I should mention that the shark and a particular seagull (I loved that bird!) do a good job as her co-stars.
lovedit ENJOYED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible
