47 Meters Down

Just about 2 weeks ago, i went to Spain on vacation. It was hot as hell, and i really loved the massive heat wave. Since we only have 10 days of sun in Sweden ( if we are lucky ), you want to go somewhere, where you find the sun frying your skin. And of course the lovely salty ocean, where you can swim everyday. Ever since i was a young boy, i loved being in the ocean. I grew up on the west coast of Sweden, so there were plenty of summers where we would be on the beach. As i was becoming closer to my teenage year, my grandparents gave me my first trip to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, back in 1990. I still remember how much i loved the orange trees, the palm trees, the swimming pools, and listening to Curiosity Killed The Cat on my Sony Walkman Cassette Player. I did not play any Richard Marx songs...why would i ever do that? I have to say, the ocean and beaches have always meant a lot to me, since my childhood. I try to visit beaches in different countries on holidays, or just visit beaches here in Sweden, depending on how many days i am off on vacation. Let´s change subject, but still talk about the ocean. We have a lot of films out there, that bring up the subject of ocean life. One of the most biggest classics of all time, has to be the 1975 film Jaws. Steven Spielbergs iconic horror film, still looks really good today. One of the reasons why i think this film still works, is because of the strong characters, and the special effects were really effective. Of course the Jaws theme song is still unforgettable. Horror movies that takes place in the ocean, there are quiet a few titles to choose between. It all depends on if you choose between realistic sea films, or if you choose the supernatural ones. There are a couple ones that i could probably mention, but let´s begin with a fun B action movie called Deep Blue Sea. A big action feast with shark attacks, by legendary director Renny Harlin. One of the things i think made this film fun, is because it is so over the top, and silly in some ways, it becomes a popcorn delight. To see Thomas Jane, Stellan Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson and L.L. Cool J in the same film, is also a really good idea. I suggest you pick up the blu ray, if you want to see a fun horror action classic. Another film with sharks included, that i also enjoyed, is the horror film The Shallows. I was supposed to review this film last year, but it never happened. Still, i think you should see this one, if you love shark films. Speaking of sharks, i recently got a chance to see the new summer horror film 47 Meters Down, where sharks is once again included. The reviews were pretty good online, so i had to give this film a chance. Is this a shark horror classic, or a complete disaster that should sink to the bottom of the sea ?

Lisa ( Mandy Moore ) and Kate ( Claire Holt ) are in Mexico having a good time. Best friends in paradise, this is exactly what they needed. They hook up with 2 guys, who suggest that they should try and go cage diving with sharks. They are skeptical at first, but decides to go out and try it on the ocean. A boat takes them to Captain Taylor ( Matthew Modine ), who runs the cage diving on board. He makes sure that they are in safe hands, and explain all the rules. Lisa and Kate prepare themselves, and go down into the cage. As the cage goes deeper, something goes wrong from the boat. The cage falls down 47 meters, to the bottom of the sea. Lisa and Kate are forced to try and figure a way out, with only a certain amount of oxygen. But with sharks swimming all over the Ocean, they need to think how to survive, without any weapons inside the cage, and to get to the surface, before the air runs out.

Looking back at The Shallows, i remember how i felt seeing the woman, trying to survive from a big white shark. It was a very well made horror film, and managed to make you feel the horrific atmosphere. 47 Meters Down is in some ways also a horror shark film, but from a different perspective. The difference with this film is that it is more of a claustrophobic horror film, and i do like that concept. Just imagine being stuck down in a cage, 47 meters down in the ocean, how do you handle that ? Even if this film does have elements of other classic shark films, i still think the film manage to deliver horror value. There is not a lot of blood, but that is not necessary. This film rely more on trying to imagine how difficult it is, when we are stuck in situations, that seems impossible. Actor Mandy Moore, ( who most of you probably have heard from her pop albums ), have not really impressed me much with her films so far. I think she was ok in Southland Tales, but other than that, i can´t remember much else about her films. However, in 47 Meters Down, she does her best performance of her acting career so far. So in that sense, i actually have some hope for her acting future. Well done Mandy Moore. I also think that actor Claire Holt also does a good performance. These 2 characters are almost the only 2 humans, that you get to see throughout the film. So the film needs to rely on their choices, in this very complicated situation. As i watched 47 Meters Down, i could actually feel a bit of panic, because the underwater scenes looks very effective. Director Johannes Roberts have directed a number of horror films, and i think one of his better films ( some critics may not agree on this one ) is The Other Side Of The Door. But if i would compare 47 Meters Down to his earlier work, then his latest film is his best work so far. Without using CGI and jump scares, he manage to make this film scary with simple details. Just a cage and sharks can be a successful combination, if it is done correctly. The cinematography by Mark Silk also works very well. Is there anything to complain about ? Not really, as a shark horror film, 47 Meters Down manage to deliver a good time. Maybe it could have been a bit more suspenseful in some scenes, but other than that i can´t complain. If you love shark films, then give 47 Meters Down a chance. This is the kind of horror film that fits summer time, when you can´t wait to head towards the beach. You won´t go swimming for a while, at least not out on deep water.

Rating: DDD