waterworld – Movies of the Soul

Vampire Owl: It is a small world, isn’t it? We are now watching a French movie.

Vampire Bat: We have watched and reviewed movies of thirty-one languages.

Vampire Owl: Yes, the last language to be added being Filipino.

Vampire Bat: Those were also the movies which required our attention.

Vampire Owl: Yes, we should actually go for more Filipino movies.

Vampire Bat: Here, the French movies are actually among the biggest categories of foreign language films to be reviewed.

Vampire Owl: Yes, after Korean and Spanish, and just more than Russian.

Vampire Bat: I believe that these would make more than half of the foreign movie collection here.

Vampire Owl: I have seen that the most read foreign movie review here is still of an Italian one.

Vampire Bat: Yes, the one named Don’t Kill Me with fine flesh-eating zombies reminding us of those undead beyond the border.

[Gets an onion vada and three cups of elaichi tea].

What is the movie about? :: A famous marine researcher who is worried about climate migration, Sophia (Bérénice Bejo) and her team have been studying the shark species and the changes that come across them while also checking the garbage which has been spread around as a patch four times the size of France. The focus is near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and search narrows down on Lilith, a shortfin mako shark which was tagged by them some time ago. They end up seeing similar female sharks hunting together as a pack, which feels quite unusual. They find the shark named Lilith, but also finds out that it has grown in size and is now double the creature it used to be, and makes Sophia wonder what has changed in the oceanic environment. As it des not seem to be aggressive, the team tries to take a sample, only to find it killing her husband and other divers. Sophia jumps into the ocean to hunt it down, but becomes entangled in a net and is dragged into the depths of the ocean, and even though she could break free and come up, there are injuries sustained due to severe alternation of pressure underneath.

So, what happens with the events here as we just keep looking? :: Three years later, Sophia is still scarred by that incident for which she blames her own calculations, and works in an aquarium in Paris, explaining to the visitors about the oceans of the world and the marine life that inhabits it. She comes across Mika (Léa Léviant), and environmentalist who is looking forward to saving marine life which has been hunted vigorously by greedy humans, and also has a group that tries to do the same all around the globe. She tells her that the tracker which was set on Lilith is still active, and that the shark has travelled all the way from the Pacific Ocean to the River Seine of Paris. As it is not a freshwater creature, she feels that the shark might end up dying underneath the city if it is not found and diverted to the ocean. The police officer Adil (Nassim Lyes) who had found shark bites on a man found dead in the river, and hopes that Sophia can help him to kill it, but just like any other environmental and animal lover who do gives least value to human life, Mika switches off the tracker on the shark, leaving any human near the river prone to death.

And what more is going to happen with the shark right there in the river? :: Sophia knows how devastating the shark can be, and is reminded of her dead husband. Mika remains a third-rate animal lover who does not care for human lives, and stands by her idea that sharks do not attack without a valid reason, but Sophia knows better. Mika is still too good in making emotional pleas to save the shark as if she really means it. But for some reason, she is infatuated with just one shark and not bothered about anything else. She wonders how dare they try to attack that shark and not vice versa. She feels like a student who skips classes regularly for some environmental indoctrination as she is beyond logic. Her friend Ben (Nagisa Morimoto) who realizes that Mika is an environmental extremist who cannot be reasoned with, decides to meet Sophia and tell her that the shark even has underground sewage access. At the same time, Sophia and Adil request the Mayor of Paris to postpone the upcoming triathlon which would invite a large number of athletes to the area. The mayor refuses as billions of euros have already been spent on the event, and it is necessary for a build-up to Olympics. Now, one wonders what can happen next and who all will die.

The defence of Under Paris :: The movie manages to be a thrilling journey with a shark under water and people not realizing its danger. The most satisfying moment of the movie is the death of the one activist who brought all these upon humans and other living beings by unleashing an apex monster adaptation of the original shark. Even though human extinction is not that bad a thing for nature conservation, this one was a nature terrorist, and seems to be taken right out some people whom we regularly find on the media. The character shows the activist who lives without doing any other job, and seems to be interested in being in the spotlight and show face in the videos all the time. This one is surely not like the dedicated people working for environment, not looking for reels and selfies. The fear element is always present in the waters, and you keep wondering who is going to get the worst of the shark attacks. The shark attacks are all effective, and the final moments take the terror to the next level. In the end, we see that there is no hope left at all, unless there is that powerful a sequel which changes everything like a fantasy dream of wonderland. Bérénice Bejo and Nassim Lyes make a good team at the same time.

The claws of flaw :: The movie could have focused more on the shark rather than those activists, with more movements within the shots of the city to induce further fear. Due to the lack of any thinking people among those who are looking for conservation, a good message is lost. Just feeling that others are responsible for stealing dreams of the younger generation and doing some nonsense in the name of saving nature and oceans would never even come close to being somewhat sane. There could have been more chilling visuals of the shark hunting, and also more action in the ocean instead of just switching so quickly. The catacombs and sewers could have a scarier world in store for us. Paris could have also had more stylish shots to support its glamour, after all, everyone wishes to visit the city one day. The movie has been rather less known in this part of the world, and that is a disappointment because there is more appreciation to come for tales of shark horror with Netflix widely used.

How it finishes :: Among the European movies featuring sharks as the main nemesis, this one surely has maintained a space for itself. It will surely have a sequel, as the ending seems to suggest that the sharks have spread all over the world with oceans connecting to the rivers and lakes, and with the ability to live in saltwater as well as freshwater. The second part is surely going to be grand, like an alien invasion A Quiet Place or 10 Cloverfield Lane, with people having less areas to find shelter, as flooding could also follow. Well, we know how the Resident Evil films defined survival, and let us see how far this franchise can go. This first movie sets the tone nicely, and we know that there is much more to come. In the movie, we find that things go much similar to how real-life situation would go, with all these activists and the authority acting as if they know everything, until the world around them collapses due their acts of foolishness, and it is their own people that suffer, even though they would not live long enough to witness the same. This could indeed be the revival of the shark-themed movies, even though it might not become as good as the first Deep Blue Sea, which extended the Jaws mode really well and 47 Meters Down up to an extent.

Release date: 5th June 2024 (Netflix)
Running time: 101 minutes
Directed by: Xavier Gens
Starring: Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Léa Léviant

<<< Click here to go to the previous European film review.

<<< Click here to go to the previous horror thriller review.

@ Cemetery Watch
✠ The Vampire Bat.

Vampire Owl: I remember watching this particular movie’s first part some time ago.

Vampire Bat: It has been quite some time since that one released.

Vampire Owl: Yet, sharks have been things of interest.

Vampire Bat: They have been present since the Jaws franchise.

Vampire Owl: Jaws was the source of such early shark stuff.

Vampire Bat: Well, the sources were so limited then.

Vampire Owl: Things began to change with the vampire shark.

Vampire Bat: We don’t accept vampire sharks here.

Vampire Owl: But there is one living near the corner.

Vampire Bat: It is actually the vampire dolphin in disguise.

[Gets a chocolate cake and three cups of white tea].

What is the movie about? :: Dr. Emma Collins (Tania Raymonde) works for the protection of Great White Sharks whose population has declined steadily in the last few years, as she stays on an artificial island near South Africa. There are lots of sharks around, whom Emma takes care of, herself. She is supported by Eugene Shaw (Emerson Brooks), Spinnaker (Alex Bhat) and Miya (Reina Aoi). Nandi (Ayumile Qongqo) and Bahari (Siya Mayola) makes the final couple who live there are part of the floating village, ready to go under the ocean soon enough. Nandi wishes to leave the island before it is completely submerged in water, but Bahari’s attachment to home keeps them there, and they also provide help for Emma and her team, while going through the usual fishing jobs. It is then that Dr. Richard Lowell (Nathaniel Buzolic) tries to find the offsprings of the bull shark from the earlier movie, Bella – these sharks have been threatening humans for some time now, and his team tries to put an end to the terror.

So, what happens with the events here? :: But it is not that easy as it seems. There is something more about these sharks than what meets the eye, as these weaker sharks take on the apex predators Great White Sharks, and kills them with ease – most of the other aquatic creatures keep away from these, and there is trouble in the waters for sure, and it is no natural. With the sharks seemingly more intelligent than ever, it might be the humans in the trouble. The mercenaries led by Lucas (Bren Foster) would take control and have what he is sent there for, in one way or the other. The story goes back to the first movie, when the sharks were being experimented, and made to develop better brains, in order to cure diseases in humans, especially those related to brain. Now, the question remains about what the sharks can do, and the mercenaries might end up doing. Either way, survival won’t be that easy this time for anyone.

The defence of Deep Blue Sea 3 :: We always need our daily dose of terrifying creatures, whether it is about sharks, crocodiles or alligators – they mostly work the best, when they are in water. Ocean always has had more possibilities of horror from the early periods of classical antiquity itself. The sea monsters have only managed to get better. There are some nice shocking moments around here too, as there are quick attacks by sharks, along with some nice blood and gore everywhere to be found, as we know what the shark attack can do from the previous movies. The setting is also really good, and it helps the cause, as the terror here is something which can work out better in this place in the middle of the ocean, with nowhere to go, as the sharks are good enough to come and attack with all the intelligence they have received from the genetic engineering programmes.

The claws of flaw :: It seems that there can be no sequel that can match the original Deep Blue Sea, which became the new Jaws in no time. But this one does give a try, especially with the leading female lead coming up with such an interesting performance – a better quality in graphics would have helped the scenes of her fighting the sharks more. The sharks should have looked at least close to how well the world around them looked. The tale could have also followed a different pattern than what was expected too. There could have been better planning here, and the scope could have left for a sequel too. The predictability factor should have been decreased with better attention. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie never seemed to have got going as it would have otherwise, as there is always chance for a little more of shark attacks in this part of the world where such attacks are not something people have experienced.

Performers of the soul :: Tania Raymonde leads the team here, and she does that with a smart and realistic performance. She looks perfect in this role, and even though one can have some doubts in the beginning, she is so solid that one wouldn’t doubt her as the character that she plays, a strong female lead who keeps the whole movie on her shoulders is quite rare when we look around. There is the connection with the sharks, and she can also give a fight on the land, as it is seen in the final moments of the movie. Emerson Brooks supports her well, and that includes the performance as well as in the form of the character. Reina Aoi makes the cute character who tries to survive even as she is not made for the same, and even though that feels like a stock character, she does well – the same can be said about Alex Bhat playing the typical nerdy character once again trying to survive. Bren Foster makes a pretty good villain while Nathaniel Buzolic is limited despite the good start.

How it finishes :: Deep Blue Sea always has your attention, even when they are not working as good as they are supposed to be. This movie might not be your favourite shark movie, but it might be one among your interesting titles, even with its troubles. During the time of COVID-19, a shark might still be the least of your worries. After all, you don’t really get them on the Indian shores. Still, the climate is changing, and you can be sure that this is not the final word on the same. Until then, we can hope that the Corona Virus pandemic is going to really disappear at some point. After all, we need to go back to our usual ways – there is no hope in being hopeless forever. One virus, and we are all down without a clear path ahead – this certainly shouldn’t be forever. Going deeper into the year 2021, maybe, we will know it better. Until then, we can still hope.

Release date: 28th July 2020
Running time: 99 minutes
Directed by: John Pogue
Starring: Tania Raymonde, Nathaniel Buzolic, Emerson Brooks, Bren Foster, Alex Bhat, Reina Aoi, Siya Mayola, Ayumile Qongqo, Brashaad Mayweather, Ernest St Clair, DeVille Vannik