Blood Bite (2020) by Yue Ang Wang

Director: Yue Ang Wang

Year: 2020

Country: China

Alternate Titles: Xue sha; Horror Shark; Blood Shark 3D

Genre: Sharks

Plot:

Several years after a diving accident, a scientist joins a team that's genetically engineered a massive shark and is looking for help in securing funding to complete the research needed to control the shark, but when it gets loose and starts devouring the crew at the facility race to stop it from escaping.

Review:

Generally, this one is a fun cheesy genre effort. This comes about from the fine combination of elements present here in the story that allows for a dynamic entry. Featuring the immensely cheesy setup of the research team looking for help in completing their project of genetic engineering revolving around the hybrid Great White Shark in their control is the appropriately goofy and misguided approach common in the genre. The pseudo-scientific viewpoints expressed here in how the shark was bred to protect the species from extinction that's enabled it to get out of control with their eventual escape and overtaking the facility makes for a rather fun time. Combined with this, the idea of the setup serves to mix together the cheesy nature of the film by allowing the opportunity for a series of cheesy spectacle sequences to appear as the film goes along. That helps make for a generally fun time as this one hits a slew of expected beats capitalizing on the connection to its genre inspirations.

That setup enables the film to come off quite well with the slew of cheesy action scenes promised. The opening shots of the crew hunting the shark in the middle of the ocean starts this off quite nicely, while the series of interactions with the other sharks at the facility offer a decent series of spectacle-filled sequences. The rampage through the facility, once the shark gets loose, is far too fun with the containment systems failing and allowing for the mechanical issues facing the group as they are complicated by the shark in the area to escape the facility. There's also the highly impressive finale that contains all manner of fun action as the team sets out to stop the shark and manages to elicit plenty of goofy underwater confrontations which bring about a thrilling, high-energy affair during this section. That these scenes are presented more in a serious matter than the activities presented adds a fine layer of cheese onto the presentation which gives everything a lot to like here.

There are several big drawbacks to be had with the film. The biggest issue here is the highly unoriginal and cliché love-story set up to reintroduce the main couple back together which is incredibly forced and underwhelming. The circumstances surrounding their meet-up are a total accident and make it seem to be a complete coincidence that serves more as a means of letting him reconnect with his brother. That becomes the main focus here rather than the romance as she has very little reason to pursue it beyond holding onto the card she lifted from him the day of the accident which just wholly cements the setup as flimsy as possible. Likewise, the other big issue here is the terrible CGI utilized for the majority of the special effects throughout here which is immensely obvious. The blotchy shark and goofy water effects intending to enhance the spectacle of the action presented are cheap and help paint the cheesy nature of what's going on just as much as the activities featured, which are what all hold this one down.

Overview: ***/5

Featuring plenty of cheesy action for better or worse, the film manages to be fun enough for those who are fans of the sillier side of creature features which this one is firmly in line with. Any and all fans of that style will be the main audience here while most others who don't appreciate or enjoy this kind of feature should outright avoid it.

This review was originally written for Asian Movie Pulse and is gratefully reprinted with their cooperation.