Reef [Blu-ray] [2010] [US Import]

"The Reef" is only loosely based on the overturning of a fishing trawler in rough seas off the North Queensland coast in 1983. The three survivors were attacked by one or more Tiger sharks, and only the captain was able to swim to a reef where he was rescued by searchers.

"The Reef" tells the story of four friends who are forced to abandon their overturned small yacht off the coast of North Queensland when the boat's keel is torn off by impact with rock or coral. There is little time for character development in the short time that elapses before tragedy strikes the travellers.

Fearing that the boat will be carried further out to sea by the current or sink, the four decide to swim to Turtle Island which is believed to be about ten miles away. On their long swim they are constantly stalked by one of the most fearsome predators in the sea - a Great White shark. The impact of the story is greatly enhanced by the refusal of the film makers to fall back on unrealistic CGI sharks. As they are repeatedly attacked by the Great White, the actors appear to be actually in the sea with a real shark. The cinematography, both above and below water, deserves the highest marks. Without giving the story away, it can be said that the film has some truly frightening moments, and the sense of unrelenting menace creates almost unbearable tension and raises this film well above "Open Water" on a scare factor rating.

The product of 15 million years of evolution, the Great White is probably the most intelligent shark in the sea, and noted for its ability to lift its head out of the water to appraise its prey or those who are hunting it, as was seen in "Jaws". Attack images of the outthrust jaws of Great White sharks are truly nightmarish and the film makers have not erred in placing this monster close to Turtle Island which is located at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. The Great White has been known to range much further north along the Great Barrier Reef.

It's hard to compare this movie to others. It was loosely based on a true story with some obvious liberties for plot. It fell beneath the radar as it was an Austrailian made film. Just in its release there were places banning the movie due to the expected effect that it would have on Austrailian tourism. Perhaps this is because it is a very realisticly made movie taking place in an area of Austrailia which is reknown for seals as well as the Apex predators that feed on them. The reefs are a beauty unlike any other but harbor many dangers. There is much realism in the production value here. By this I mean that they used only real sharks in the filming of the movie. No CGI effects to "muddy the water" here. The actors were in the water at times with a true Great White shark.
I think that these facts add to the tension. And tension is what this movie gives you over and over.

I will not spoil the fun but the basic plot takes 4 aussies out on a chartered boat together in search of a deserted island. They find it without any problem but within about 20 minutes of the film the subject matter takes a turn. The boat they are on hits a Reef in the middle of the night turning a nice trip into a fight for survival. Being in a remote area with no planes flying over is a recipe for disaster. Some 12 miles away from the island they just visited (perhaps the size of a gymnasium) they find themselves in the water with no supplies (all washed into the ocean). They climb on top of the far too damaged bottom of the boat and plan their next step. The captain of the boat (a commercial fisherman and sea salt) makes the most prophetic and educated statement of the movie which is chilling to those with a fear of the ocean and it's elements, "I've fished these waters for years and I know what is in these waters. You will never get me into this water. I will stay on the boat no matter what!"

Herein lies the tension of the film. Forced with either staying on the boat until they are found (and possibly moving deeper into sea and more into trouble on the current that is pulling them to ?) OR making a life or death swim 12 miles through shark infested water to get back to the island they were forced to leave after a very brief visit. I will not go into the whos and what's but some stay and some leave and what happens from here is over 1 hour of a life or death struggle with the fears that many of us dream about while safely out of said water.

The biggest reason to watch this movie is because of the way it plays with you psychologically. Early in the film one of the main characters has just gotten into the water for the first time and after several minutes of magnificent underwater life it all of a sudden gets extremely calm all around her. Like the sound has been completely taken away. She looks around her, to the right, the left, behind her... And then she sees a shark swimming deep below the surface in the craggy reef. She doesn't know what to do. Swim away? Sit still? This is the mood that the directors are going for and it is achieved. A haunting sense of the unknown, of being in a situation you can't possible control. This movie is well acted, well paced and enjoyable if you like a good scare or the uncomfortable feeling like that scare is slowly circling you and sizing you up.. At that point it is just too late...

On the negatives a certain reef scene near the end is just a little too scripted to fit and I will give no more away. Other than that particular scene near the end of the film it felt genuine and scary!

In short, I highly reccomend this film. It is not likely at your local rental store as it was not domestically touted but it is a truly well made and tense shark attack movie based on a true story. Enjoy!

THIS IS THE BEST SHARK MOVIE SINCE JAWS THE WAY THE DIRECTOR USES FOOTAGE OF THE GREAT WHITE SHARK IS FANTASTIC VERY REALISTIC NOT LIKE ALOT OF THE CGI THAT IS USED IN MOVIES THESE DAYS THIS IS A MUST BUY FOR ANYONE INTO THESE KIND OF MOVIES YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED ALSO DONT COMPARE THIS TO OPEN WATER AS THIS IS WAY BETTER AND IS ALOT MORE EXCITING ..... ENJOY!!!