Director: David Lister
Year: 2009
Country: Australia/Canada
Alternate Titles: Goblin Shark Attack; Mega Shark of Malibu
Genre: Sharks
Plot:
After a gigantic undersea earthquake strikes Malibu, a group of lifeguards race to save survivors trapped in the area only to face a different threat from a swarm of ravenous Goblin Sharks unleashed by the underwater activities and must get them to safety while battling the deadly sharks.
Review:
Overall, this is one of the best original creature features for the channels. One of the better aspects here for this one is the use of the different shark species here as the Goblin Shark is so underutilized in the scene that they're a completely different species than normal and really gets some points for deciding to go a different route which isn't done all too often. Another of the better elements here is the really insane amount of action to it that comes from several different elements. The first attack on a group of parasailors makes for an incredibly fun time for the fact that both of them are taken out separately and deal with a failed rescue attempt that is quite fun. There's even more action here with the sharks trying to get at the survivors inside the shack and the images of the sharks ramming into the holes in the floor while they barricade them off is nothing but fun and a little suspenseful, a rescue attempt also manages to work well due to the race to get back to the shore being so far out, and when they get to the half-submerged construction site it gets even more fun due to the really exciting and fun encounters within the narrow corridors, and the tension present with the sharks here is great.
As well, these scenes in the finale also feature an insanely cool and original way of dealing with the sharks and are a part of the fantastic action of the film. Other great stuff occurs in the film's rather insane tsunami sequence where the sight of the giant wall of water rising up and crashing down on the shore causing a ton of damage is nicely handled, the ensuing panic on the crowded beach being incredibly realistic and the visuals here are great from the sight of the lifeguard shack being swallowed up by the water to the floating construction site make the segment really worth it. The surgery scene afterward is rather nice for the brutality of the segment mixed with the ramifications of the bloodied water, and along with the gore here make for a lot to love here.
There are a few flaws here in this one. As per usual, the ever-present and ridiculous-looking CGI in here where there's barely a moment of the sharks where they look realistic because of the terrible way they look, never blending into the scenes and just looking terrible through the usual methods of atrocious-looking CGI. Other than the sharks, the CGI comes into play during the tidal wave, which is also in the same category as the sharks and is just another part of the same problem. The other new method of incredibly fake-looking dorsal-fin props that don't move at all and cause nothing to happen to the water around them appearing even less life-like, which leaves the sharks wholly unappealing as they all seem incredibly lifeless as a result. Otherwise, this one was a ton of fun.
Overview: **** 1/2/5
This is exactly the kind of film that has made the SyFy Channel so much fun on their best days, with a lot to love about it and some present if barely detrimental flaws. This is highly recommended to those that have enjoyed their past efforts or love the usual killer-shark flicks, while those that aren't fans should heed caution.
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