Post by StevePulaski on Sept 3, 2011 22:25:13 GMT -5
Rating: ★½
Even the most eventful, exciting, and thrilling scenes in Shark Night 3D aren't done properly thanks to poorly executed CGI, pitiful acting, a lack of logic, and not to mention, the biggest problem of all, the film's rating. Ultimately this wants to do three things; bank off the 3D gimmick, be a Piranha-inspired film, and try and give cheesy, exploitation fun. The only thing it manages to pull off successfully is be a gimmick-sponsored, loathesome horror film.
The rating is the biggest problem. I can tell from certain scenes like when the characters are angry and when the shark attacks they wanted to show more. It was cut down most likely to get teens younger than eighteen to spend money and go alone. This will obviously increase ticket sales, and get more teens involved. It was a mistake for this to be a PG-13 horror film, when clearly, it could've been a very bloody, very thrilling piece of new-horror. Instead it wimps out, but will most likely earn an "Unrated Director's Cut" stamp on the Dvd release.
The plot: A group of College kids go down to one of the girls' lakehouses where they encounter a group of hungry sharks. Of course by this lake there is no cell reception, and the person behind this wonderful place didn't decide to install a landline incase, you know, someone was hurt or injured. Not to mention, there is not one park patrol or janitor in this whole woods. Or people just randomly hiking. In order for this film to work, logic and common sense need to be excluded.
So, one person gets his arm bitten off, and is said by the oh-so bright medical student that he has only about two hours, but he manages to make it well through the night with enough energy to wrestle another shark in the water with one arm. The group also encounter unsettling rednecks who live on the lake and two wind up going on a boat with them no questions asked.
The remainder of the film is composed of lukewarm 3D effects, loud riffs, computer animated sharks, teen screams, and in-comprehendable PG-13 shark clips. All of which edited and executed in a "we're-gonna-show-it-but-we're-not" sort of form. One of the rednecks is portrayed somewhat effectively by Joshua Leonard, who you may know as the ski-cap sporting teenager in The Blair Witch Project. Now he plays a shark crazed maniac who wants to bank off of people's expense. The thought is sickening to say the least.
I will say the 3D is mixed. I was hoping since this is directed by David R. Ellis he would use the same 3D company used to make The Final Destination leap off the screen, but he didn't. Some scenes in 3D are actually effective, but unlike The Final Destination, they fail to actually leap off the screen.
The pluses in Shark Night 3D are just little perks that don't make the film worth seeing at all. Some decent music is played, Sara Paxton does what she can with what she has, and the underwater cinematography and first person view are the only things working in the film's favor. There is also a lovely music video after the credits with all the actors and actresses rapping aimlessly about how shark attacks and shark safety. Someone ought to remind them they shouldn't be with us now.
If you're looking for suspense, keep walking folks, Shark Night 3D is a big fan of just BOOM and it happens sort of action. Nothing is built up to seem even scarier, and there is not even the slightest indication when something is about to happen. I would rather be still, interested, and worried than just jump quickly only to roll my eyes at what I just did.
David R. Ellis directed Final Destination 2 with plenty of suspense, but neglected to shift it over to the fourth installment or this. He was also the man behind the camera on Snakes on a Plane. I can't tell if Shark Night 3D wants to be a satire on creatures like that film, or if it wants to be a serious take on the genre of the underwater beast. But its rating, its lack of logic, and its execution prevent it from achieving either status.
And also, no modern horror film is complete without a helpless animal treated like meat in one scene in the film. Shark Night 3D is no exception to the formula.
Starring: Sara Paxton, Dustin Milligan, and Joshua Leonard. Directed by: David R. Ellis.