One cannot write a review about The Reef without referencing 2003's Open Water. After all, the plot details are practically identical. Both films center upon people that are stranded in the ocean and fight off hungry sharks while swimming aimlessly in hopes of survival. And in both films, the sharks win. The main difference in The Reef is the number of characters involved (four this time instead of two) and how they end up in their predicament (their boat capsizes as opposed to simply being forgotten). The Reef begins with the requisite introduction of the main characters. Their names don't matter so let's simplify by identifying there is a couple, a former couple and a sailor. The group of five take to the ocean from Sydney, Australia for a day of underwater snorkeling. But upon their return, their vessel hits a hidden rock and tears a hole in the ship's hull. The boat flips and soon the five mates are sitting on the underbelly of their capsized and sinking ship. With an outdated rescue beacon, four members of the group decide to take to the water in hopes they can swim to land which they approximate to be 10-12 miles north of their location. To the water they take, but before long their positive spirit is met with terrifying reality when a shark begins to circle the swimming foursome. Panic turns to frightful horror when the shark attacks and eats one of the water treading swimmers. As the horror of their situation becomes a deadly reality, the remaining three try to make it to land before the ever-hungry shark comes back for seconds and thirds. Open Water was a bit of a independent success back in 2003. Marketed as being based on true events, two actors portrayed the doomed simmers while reportedly being circled by real sharks. The Reef would also have you believe that their story is authentic and the result is no less terrifying. Sharks continue to be one of the most feared animals on the planet (thanks Steven Spielberg!) and writer/director Andrew Traucki uses the ocean and his circling beast to his utmost advantage. A scene where the shark literally glides over one of the swimmers shoulders was both terrifying and masterfully crafted. Aforementioned, references to Open Water are unavoidable, but The Reef is actually a better film due largely to the larger cast (more people = more carnage) and that the dialogue didn't solely consist of a couple arguing and yelling to each other between shark feeding times. You don't really get attached to any one character to emotionally hope for any one particular survivor to the tragic event, but The Reef still provides audiences with what is advertised on the DVD packaging. It may not equal Jaws for overall entertainment value, but we don't think it was attempting to unseat the champ either.
Review of The Reef
