Andrew TrauckiThe Reef [DVD]

Nothing great film.

The Reef is an Aussie horror thriller, and as such, it comes with two great advantages - it's made with a more realistic and less stagey feeling than most Hollywood counterparts - and it's made by people who are familiar with the hazards and everyday problems of having big sharks in their waters.As a result, it feels full of authenticity.When the four friends meet up to go cruising on their yacht, there's a nice feeling that these are people who have history, and the sailing sequences are handled in a matter-of-fact knowledgeable manner. The characters all seem very normal as well, with a refreshing lack of prima-donnas or useless 'himbo's. With a tiny cast, (5 main players and 1 shop assistant - that's your lot) it also feels nicely intimate as we spend all of our time with the people who'll later be at risk.Luke, Matt, Suzie and Kate are just getting into their break, when their vessel is holed by a reef and capsized.The four friends decide to strike out to try to make land at the island they left a few hours before, but Warren, their boathand, fears what's in the water.It's not long before his fears are proved well-founded.The film has a strong lead in Damian Walshe-Howling as Luke, an unusual but very practical hero, and some of his scenes are tension highlights - particularly his attempt to scavenge supplies from inside an inverted and gradually sinking boat...The film also handles the trepidation and uncertainty of being stranded in the ocean with no land in sight with great aplomb, and the tension is built marvelously but realistically. The shark is also handled with great common sense and realism. Fear and suspicion gradually turn to paranoia, then fleeting glimpses, then definite confirmation.This is followed by some of the most convincing and realistic shark behaviour I've seen in a film script, with the animal's curiosity and circling well represented, before it begins to get more daring.The cast are terrific and both they and the director manage to sustain a high level of fear once they realise the danger they're in. A creepingly subtle but very effective score also helps greatly enhance some of the film's most nervewracking moments. Good photography makes the most of the setting, and the film never suffers from the repetition and boredom of it's cousin 'Open Water' thanks to superior scripting and direction.When it finally comes, the first shark attack is one of the most startling and genuine-feeling I've witnessed on film, with the sense of power amazingly conveyed as it feels like a steam train has suddenly decided to accelerate at one of the characters.With the rest of the film a well-played tension piece as the friends try to make it to the island, I won't give any more away.Far better than its trashy B-movie cover would suggest, it's a nicely done thriller that benefits from being watched quietly so the atmosphere can soak in. The gore is mild and sparse, but the emotional impact sells it excellently and there's lots of blood.You also see a decent amount of the shark, and it's extremely believable.A tense and well-designed thriller.Highly recommended.

Film was OK, nothing special

OK, so I knew the plot more or less from the start, guys and gals go out to play, a bit of resumed love interest, nice boat and a bit of bad luck when the boat hits a submerged rock and then a little problem with a shark, big deal? To be honest I didn't expect the film to be as good as it turned out or the acting to be as good as it was.Once these four, Luke and Kate and her brother Matt and his girlfriend Suzie had returned to the boat from the small island having been beckoned by Warren because the tide was running fast.Shortly after, Suzie took over steering the boat it struck submerged rocks,filled with water and rolled over. Everyone clambered on the hull for safety and Luke the most experienced sailor advised them they should swim for land albeit 12 miles away as the boat would soon sink.What do they do? Take a chance in the water with whatever MAY be waiting for them in there OR stay on the hull and hope for rescue BEFORE it sinks? What would YOU or I do?All but Warren EVENTUALLY decide to take their chance with the long swim and what they know IS or ISN'T IN the water awaiting them?Comparisons have already understandably been made with Open Water. In this film however NOT ONLY could I feel the tension ratcheting-up as it progressed but I actually found myself swearing at the shark and calling it names - expletives - for attacking the characters/actors - so involved had I become!?The DVD comes with a good 'Making Of' as an Extra. The ONLY thing I could NOT understand is that the beginning of te film states "Based on True Events" yet at the end credits it reads "incidents and characters are ficticious"? so one statement appears to contradict the other, similarly to that made on the DVD of Wolf Creek?

Great film. Not quite there with the original but well made with nice scenery, likeable characters and decent shark effects.

Love shark films usually but this one was to much suspence and no action!

Take it or leave it for me won't watch it again

It's a great shark.movie..Abit different than rest of them bit it is fantastic film.. I recommend