After his parents are killed by a giant, supposedly extinct shark (the Megalodon), the now-adult design engineer Dr. Northcut (Antonio Sabato Jnr) seizes an opportunity to balance the ledger, whilst having to convince those around him that the creature has risen from apparent extinction.
Better than expected undersea action thriller, which, despite Sabato Jnr's attempt to exhaust a lifetime of intensity in an hour-and-a-half, manages not to become overly trite and complicated. No unnecessary plot deviations, undercutting by characters or – mercifully – conspiracies of any kind to be seen, which is a welcome retreat from the usual. The set design looks realistic and while some of the shark effects are a little clumsy, the effects team don't make the same mistake of other "Meg" movies in using photo-magnification tricks to enhance the scale of actual shark footage.
The supporting cast aren't bad for a film of this type, and the screenplay is often witty, intelligent, believable and capably delivered. Kudos to Grand L. Bush, who delivers some hilarious lines without becoming a self-parody (of the funniest is when he reacts to Sabato showing him a giant shark tooth he's retrieved from the wreck of the first submarine station, with "you found a big f*%$-ing tooth, big f*%$-ing deal"). There's also a mildly amusing reference to "Jaws" which while might have appeared funny on paper, seems too calculated.
Of most surprise though is the film's somewhat offbeat resolution, which while tidy, the most positive spin could only describe it as bittersweet. Some audiences may find it a little depressing, but again, it's a refreshing departure from the typical, clichéd ending that is common to most creature feature movies. Though I may be alone in saying judging by the other comments made concerning this film, I'm delighted to be able to say that "Shark Hunter", despite its origins and the reputations of its cinematic cousins, is actually well worth a watch.
Better than expected undersea action thriller, which, despite Sabato Jnr's attempt to exhaust a lifetime of intensity in an hour-and-a-half, manages not to become overly trite and complicated. No unnecessary plot deviations, undercutting by characters or – mercifully – conspiracies of any kind to be seen, which is a welcome retreat from the usual. The set design looks realistic and while some of the shark effects are a little clumsy, the effects team don't make the same mistake of other "Meg" movies in using photo-magnification tricks to enhance the scale of actual shark footage.
The supporting cast aren't bad for a film of this type, and the screenplay is often witty, intelligent, believable and capably delivered. Kudos to Grand L. Bush, who delivers some hilarious lines without becoming a self-parody (of the funniest is when he reacts to Sabato showing him a giant shark tooth he's retrieved from the wreck of the first submarine station, with "you found a big f*%$-ing tooth, big f*%$-ing deal"). There's also a mildly amusing reference to "Jaws" which while might have appeared funny on paper, seems too calculated.
Of most surprise though is the film's somewhat offbeat resolution, which while tidy, the most positive spin could only describe it as bittersweet. Some audiences may find it a little depressing, but again, it's a refreshing departure from the typical, clichéd ending that is common to most creature feature movies. Though I may be alone in saying judging by the other comments made concerning this film, I'm delighted to be able to say that "Shark Hunter", despite its origins and the reputations of its cinematic cousins, is actually well worth a watch.