The Shallows

The Shallows is not a serious horror movie or thriller that would stay with you. It’s formally spectacular entertainment for a popcorn audience with some exciting moments, and it is full of crap, especially in the climax. It is kept above average only by the charm and acting skills of Blake Lively. In these waters, I prefer more minimalist and believable nerve-racking movies like The Reef. (16/08/2016)

Blake Lively, one shark and 87 minutes of pure survival adventure, as far as the genre goes, fulfilled to perfection. It's a weekend one-off that doesn't offer much, but it solidly meets expectations. Jaume Collet-Serra created a shark that is more like the one from Jaws – the kind that scares you – thank God he has freed himself from the kind of digital exercises favoured by the current trends. It's gripping and there's no bullshit. There is, of course, a digression on family values in that classic American way, but that's a given in Hollywood, even if it is directed by a Spaniard. (14/08/2016)

The Hungry vs. Food series has another film with a dismal and unrealistic ending (that spoils the atmosphere for effect alone), but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work as a whole. Also the whale was a good idea. The tastefully tanned Blake Lively was the main asset of The Shallows from the start and in this respect the heroine doesn’t disappoint. In terms of story, it’s a variation on Gravity and the inner dramas pointlessly protract the plot. Seagull is probably the only really nice character in the movie. The horror nuances are masterly, including the shocks. Collet-Serra knows how to make an eye-catching movie, but I prefer those with an R-rating and with Neeson in the role of daddy. (16/08/2016)

An impactful, audiovisual thriller work that is nearly perfectly crafted in terms of the gradation of all key moments. Blake Lively effortlessly navigates through all positions, and when she emerges onto the board/whale/rock just a few centimeters away from the jaws of a shark, I thought I'd be left with the cinema armrests in my hands. Therefore, it is a pity that in the end, it doesn't deviate from going predictably over the top and you have to say goodbye to a great show as it instead turns laughable. Those genre boundaries that Jaume Collet-Serra skillfully tried to sweep away for a while are needlessly beaten up by the shallows at the very end. (11/08/2016)

Water Gravity light. A B-movie that I enjoyed and which enjoyed me. They don’t have to look into my head and pull phobias out of there. But the jellyfish scene will haunt me until just before I die. Thanks to Blake Lively, a sweet combination of an erection and a contracted ass. Jaume could have done without a couple of the over the top of the top scenes, but otherwise it’s the ultimate summer eye candy. Everything one needs from crisp exploitation. (04/08/2016)