Image Entertainment - The Reef [DIGITAL VIDEO DISC]

I laid down to watch his movie, and twenty minutes into it I was sitting up biting my nails AND smoking a cigarette. . my nerves were on overload. the biggest reason to watch this movie is because of the way it plays with you psychologically. This is the mood that the directors are going for and trust me, 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... Although you don't feel intimately connected to these characters like in some movies, they're all likable enough for you to care what happens to them --the couples have an affection for each other so you're really rooting for them fearing one will have to see the other ripped apart. No doubt this is one serious example of nature's perfect killing machine, he's big, and he's totally unstoppable. It's no wonder the characters panic every time he puts in an appearance - and realistic panic it is. They do exactly what they shouldn't do, splashing around all over the place as they cling to one another in fear. The actresses do a particularly good job of demonstrating shock - particularly Zoe Naylor, whose over-the-top facial expressions would be laughable in any other situation. But I said to myself "that's exactly what my face would probably look like in the same situation" Really, as far as I'm concerned, though, there's no such thing as overacting when it comes to displaying the fear of being eaten alive by a magnificent shark. Another thing about this movie that I relish, it makes you think . . would I go into the water or stay on the boat and hope that it doesn't sink. . and Warren the only guy who did stay on the boat --the fear on his face was so real it was scary when he said "I fish in these waters I know what's in them.". . and refused to leave the boat. I think although you didn't see the shark throughout the entire movie, the threat was real enough. . I felt anxious and nervous throughout the entire movie. I truly recommend this!!! Another great thing about this Australian movie is that it was actually shot out on the water (in Harvey Bay), and the shark footage is real (shot specifically for this movie). The point is -- these aren't a bunch of dopes in a studio pool relying on CGI sharks. I never thought I'd really like another shark movie as much as Jaws, but I was wrong. I recommend this!!!!