The Shallows (2016) - A Review

The Shallows (2016) has been generally classified as a horror flick, but it comes out as more of an exhibition of survival.

The Plot: A mere 200 yards from shore, surfer Nancy is attacked by a great white shark, with her short journey to safety becoming the ultimate contest of wills. (IMDb)

The Good: Some years ago I attended a course called Production Practices 1 at my university. There another student asked the professor that what would he do if he had limited resources but wanted to make a proper thriller. The professor told him that if you want to make any kind of feature properly then utilize the resources already at your disposal.

So, that is where The Shallows succeeds brilliantly. It doesn't have much to offer narrative-wise, and by viewing the trailer you could easily see that $17 million as a production cost was intelligently utilized. And the worldwide gross of $99 million ensured that everything paid off. 

These resources not only included the hiring of only one famous thespian, but also that the rest of the cast was smartly included at the right moments. We have Mexican locals as Nancy is an American tourist. And these locals range from the friendly ride-giver, to fellow surfers, and even a drunk middle-aged man (wait for his appearance because it's the funniest sequence in this venture).

Another positive factor is Blake Lively's lead performance as Nancy. Not only does the actress look hot in a bikini but she manages to pull off a strong, will-driven act throughout the 86-minutes duration. The CGI-created shark is also to fear but it's all down to how Nancy will fight to her last breath to survive.

The Bad: However, Anthony Janswinki's script didn't promise more than what you watched in the trailer. Sure, The Shallows has everything a survival picture can offer, but nothing more than what meets the eye. It's a showcase where what you see is ultimately what you get.

The Verdict: In my opinion, I found that The Shallows was not hard to review, but difficult to assign a rating to. If you have high expectations as a veteran viewer then you'll be disappointed, but if you watch it solely for the purpose of entertainment, then it is a satisfying experience.

The Rating: 2.5 out of 4. 

If you favored Blake Lively as a beach blonde then what's your opinion about Paris Hilton?: