‘Shark Night 3D’ – When Sharks Attack

“Shark Night 3D” is the latest shark movie to attempt a theatrical attack. The horror-thriller feature film follows a group of Tulane graduates vacationing on a private lake in Louisiana. The action begins quickly as the funky character Malik gets attacked by a shark and has his arm ripped off while water-skiing. It could seem that the film is falling into a comedic cliche by having the African American character played by Sinqua Walls attacked first but it then moves forward into action. The David Ellis picture stars Katharine McPhee of “American Idol” fame, Sara Paxton, Alyssa Diaz, Joel David Moore, and Dustin Milligan of TV’s “90210.”

The shark attack film is a longstanding horror genre that plays into our worse fears as water-loving humans. The big fish inspires dread worldwide. Unlike with other movie monsters, a shark can actually be encountered in reality by anyone who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. There are three shark films well known in the genre that feature the great white shark, tiger sharks and the lesser known mako sharks..

“Jaws”

No discussion of shark attack films would ever be complete without mentioning the “Jaws” quad of movies. While the films vary in quality the series absolutely goes down in history as central to establishing this genre. The films all feature the Brody family and great white sharks. The original “Jaws” film was directed by Steven Spielberg in 1975. Since then the franchise has become an industry unto itself. And to think that it all started with a little novel by author Peter Benchley.

“Soul Surfer”

The 2001 film “Soul Surfer” can easily be considered the anti “Jaws.” This feel-good dramatic movie tells the true story of professional surfer Bethany Hamilton. Hamilton survived a tiger shark attack in Hawaii in 2003. At only age 13 her left arm was completely ripped off below the shoulder. The courageous girl quickly moved from being the object of worldwide pity to becoming a young folk hero as she returned to surfing less than one month after the vicious attack.

“Deep Blue Sea”

“Deep Blue Sea” is a 1999 science fiction horror film starring Samuel L. Jackson. With Mister Jackson, you usually can’t go wrong. The film was directed by Renny Harlin, the Finish filmmaker who also was at the helm for “The Long Kiss Goodnight” and epic flop “Cutthroat Island.” “Deep Blue Sea” also stars LL Cool J and Michael Rapaport. Model Saffron Burrows plays a capable scientific researcher while Thomas Jane plays the resident shark expert. The sharks going wild in this film are a trio of mako sharks.

If you are into 3D films or shark movies then you may enjoy “Shark Night.” Otherwise, you may want to skip it and rent the original “Jaws” instead.

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