The “ shark moving-picture show ” literary genre is a weird one . Ever sinceJawspremiered in 1975 , moviegoers have been absolutely shark screwball . Steven Spielberg ’s classic became the highest - gross film of all time upon its release , spawning three continuation of its own and inspiring countless other film about killer sharks . From theatrically released blockbusters likeThe Shallowsto made - for - TV romps likeSharknado , sharks have remained a Hollywood basic for the last 50 years . So then , why are so many shark motion picture awful ?
The two most recent theatrically liberate shark movies are the 201947 Meters Downsequel47 Meters Down : Uncagedand 2023’sThe Meg 2,which is so bad I wo n’t squander my time talking about it . But47 Meters Down : Uncagedis a surprisingly enjoyable movie that was a moderate succeeder in dramatic art , and now , five yr later , has since become a pop streaming hit .
In the film , a group of high schoolhouse girls decide to go cave diving in a lately discovered underwater Mayan metropolis that was cut up into a cave system . When sea stratum rose , the cavernous city was lost beneath the ocean .
As the daughter explore the caves , they realize they ’re not alone . At some point in the yesteryear , swell snowy sharks drown into the cave organization , and over generations have evolved into albino , blind cave sharks . ( The conception was inspired by real - lifeMexican Tetra Pisces . ) conform to their harsh environment , the cave sharks are brutal , aggressive , opportunist hunters that consume whatever they can find , including a group of untested divers .
Listen , this picture show is nonsensical and punch-drunk . But looking back at it five year later , it ’s undeniably fun and entertaining . It ’s also arguably the beneficial shark motion picture to be released in some meter , as it ’s far more imaginative and suspenseful than other modern shark film likeUnder Paris , Deep Fear , orThe Requin .
The film has a great setting
you may be a film snob and complain about how unrealistic the premiss is , but you ca n’t traverse that47 Meters Down : Uncagedhas a great scene . Not only are the girls fighting off shark and occupy about their O levels but they ’re doing it while lost in the blackness of a overwhelm cave system of rules .
The submerged cave setting is complete for creating a level of suspense and dread that few other New shark movie have been capable to beguile . Dark , narrow , murky , and unnamed , the caves alone could make a great revulsion pic . But summate in the lurking shark , and you ’ve convey a great frame-up . It took the anxiousness of the first47 Meters Downand throw it into a dark cave system , creating a unfeignedly hair - raise environment . Uncagedis basicallyJawsmeetsThe Descent , and I have perfectly no complaints about that .
It also helps thatUncagedwas take almost all underwater or else of feign it on a green screen . When speaking toCinemaBlend , the cast revealed that 80 % to 90 % of the movie was really filmed underwater , which helps giveUncageda great sense of naive realism and claustrophobia .
The CGI isn’t bad
On top of its cracking place setting , Uncagedalso had some pretty decent CGI.Shark film seldom make enough money to rationalize a studio paying millions for shark animatronics . unhappily , we ’re just gon na have to go for CGI sharks move forward . But CGI can follow in many different forms .
Some late shark moving picture had the potential to be kind of in effect , like Netflix’sUnder Paris , but were completely destroyed by their horrible , inexpensive , phoney - look CGI sharks . AndUnder Parisisn’t alone in that either . Most late shark film have terrible CGI , likeSomething in the Water , The Black Demon , and infinite others .
Uncaged , on the other hand , has some pretty decent CGI for its budget , with most view looking middling all-fired safe . It ’s by far one of the well - look shark flick of the modern era . The photographic film ’s context also helps a batch . The darkness of the cave system of rules keeps most of the shark ’ organic structure cloak in darkness , which help the photographic film cleverly hide a pile of CGI ’s imperfections .
The whole movie feels fresh and new
One ofUncaged ’s biggest advantages is its singularity . All great shark flick ask a giant shark attack people , often with a group ( or a person ) trapped in some scenario where help is n’t useable . Uncagedkept the canonical formula , but flipped it enough to keep the audience ’s tending .
The cave scene and the blind shark add a new twist to a literary genre that commonly repeats itself over and over again . The sharks have lost their sight , so they ca n’t see you … even if you ’re right in front of them . But they also have an increased sense of hearing and smell , which alerts them to even the slightest disturbance .
The Modern rules imply new strategies for survival , and with it all happen in the labyrinth of an underwater cave system , Uncagedwas capable to stick out out as singular and exciting . It keeps audience guessing , wondering where the story might conduce and how the new scenario might impact the characters ’ decisiveness .
If you ’re able to suspend your unbelief about the wild story and unconvincing scenario , you ’ll discover that47 Meters Down : Uncagedis really a ridiculously fun ( and just plain ridiculous ) shark picture that you ’re gon na eff .
It wasrecently announced that a third film,47 Meters Down : The Wreck , is in the former stage of development and will focus on divers who get trapped in a shark - infest wreck . So fans should get quick to sting down on some more sharktastic activity . But before then , Uncagedis an sheer must for fans of shark movies or anyone who loves a creepy adventure .
Watch47 meter Down : UncagedonNetflix .
