The Shallows

I once said not-nice things about Blake Lively as an actress. I will retract that statement, as she's since proven herself quite good. This film is pretty much her entire show, as there's only one or two periphery characters, and a very nasty shark. I enjoyed this film immensely, as I have a soft spot for sharks and add this one to my top five. This is a survival scenario, where Blake's character is extremely intelligent and resourceful in the face of the threats she faces. The tension and direction is quite well done, and the only real issues I have with this film are issues of plausibility, as I don't believe a shark would behave in this manner and the last act gets a little wonky, further sacrificing believability for over-the-top thrills. But the movie remains exciting and suspenseful, well made and certainly worth your time, especially if you feel sharks gotta eat.

B