I like shark movies. I can’t help myself. However, I do like good shark movies. Not that Sharknado rubbish or 3-Headed Shark CGI-tainted blah. Don’t get me wrong, there is an audience for everything, and if you like the low-brow side of cinema, good for you. 47 Meters Down and 47 Meters Down Uncaged are both solid entries into underwater killers. Is the “47 Meters Down Uncaged” movie on Netflix? It is in Australia but for the USA, try Hulu. For more streaming options, see the trailer for the horror and thriller movie at the end of this review.
Neither 47 Meters Down (2017) nor 47 Meters Down Uncaged (2019) can be counted as the best shark movie ever. Still, they’ve got storylines with characters you’ll like or hate. Squashed between some sketchy repetitive bitey action there is pretty neat cinematography. The budgets are stretched to breaking point. But no matter which way you look at it, you can tell they at least put their all into making each film.
The original movie has some fantastic jump scares. Not too many so that you can call it cheap but enough to warrant your heart rate to rise. Have you read any clickbait recently about how higher heart rates equal weight loss for horror fans? If you have then rest assured the 2017 film is as good as anything around for starting up the old ticker. Not to mention despite some inadequate nonsense within the decision-making department, there was still room to add a multifaceted finale. On a repeat viewing, you might even try to figure out if the two girls lived or died. It’s not crystal clear and a very much debatable subject.
47 Meters Down 2
In Uncaged, the story starts with a blended family — and if anyone can convince you to watch a B-grade shark movie it’s John Corbett. I must admit seeing his name in the casting had my hopes raised this would be a solid film. He is the scantly seen dad slash archaeologist Grant. He also just happens to be exploring a site containing an ancient Mayan city.
Of course, there’s trouble in camp fam-bam and daddy Corbett organizes a bonding trip on a glass-bottom boat. A teenager’s right is known to be the epitome of not knowing a good deal when they see one so, instead, they choose to go exploring in the ancient cave where all five girls teens know how to scuba dive first class. Never mind that some very expensive high-tech scuba gear is left for them to use… moving on.
For me, a far-fetched story works in a movie like this or perhaps my soft spot for shark movies makes me more forgiving. One of those two things is true.
For any movie about a bunch of inexperienced yet capable scuba divers, they almost immediately conjure bad juju by “here fishy fishy-ing” a blind tetra. This almost instantly puts a halt to their fun day out. One tiny startled reaction causes the underwater city to crumble.
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- Shark Movies New Release: Great White with Live Interview by Mother of Movies and Director Martin Wilson
For a thriller movie with sharks watch Something in the Water next.
Character Dynamics
You can see where this is going. But do you care? The character dynamics of the underwater girls are set up with intentional yet ambivalent typecasting. The quiet outcast, the moody bitch, the actual bitch, the idiot, and the cool Asian. You can literally make bets on who will get taken out by the first shark you see. It wouldn’t be an underwater shark movie directed and written by Johannes Roberts with co-writer Ernest Riera if there weren’t a few red herrings though. Don’t worry, you will eventually be able to put odds on blood in the water, but you might have to wait.
If you liked the first movie, buckle in because it’s virtually the same leading-in. Depleted air, trapped victims, and sharks. This time instead of two girls trapped in a cage it’s five in a cave and this time the shark is blind. Add to this Grant and his crew are on the other side of the Mayan City doing actual work and you have yourself a shark buffet.
Horror Movies With Sharks
Both are commendable shark movies. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all right? Sure, but each film will pass the time and scratch that shark movie itch. You also won’t hate yourself after watching either film. And both have great endings.
47 Meters Down Uncaged is rated
3 who would mess around with you when you’re welding underwater? out of 5
Full Movie Trailer for Uncaged
Where to Watch Uncaged on Netflix
Uncaged is streaming on:
