This film about a shark is truly remarkable. The storyline is straightforward but very engaging and captivating. It doesn't take long before you become invested in the central character, finding yourself wishing them well. The presentation feels believable for the most part, and there’s nothing at all wrong with the primary threat—it’s exceptionally crafted. Blake Lively delivers a strong performance as Nancy …

Because of my love for sharks—thanks to Jaws—I anticipated The Shallows with excitement. Initially, the preview made me think the film would be more like 127 Hours than Jaws: a solitary person, isolated on a rock and trapped just a short distance from shore in shark-filled waters. Most films about sharks adhere strictly to the Jaws blueprint: A swimmer is attacked, someone with authority decides beaches should clo…

I’ve seen shark movies before – ‘Jaws’, ‘Deep Blue Sea,’ you know the drill – and this one fits right in with that bunch. It seemed well-made, at least for a good portion of the time. The visuals were convincing, so I initially figured it might be among the better ones out there. Ultimately, though, I felt let down by how the shark was depicted. Its behavior felt realistic until roughly the last thirty minutes, when …

Collet-Serra’s film, a story of a woman confronting nature, is gorgeous, extravagant Hollywood entertainment that guides audiences into a passive viewing experience—the sort typically reserved for the best summer movies designed to appeal to large crowds...

A movie really only requires a woman and a shark to be successful, but Serra doesn’t even manage to get the fundamentals right, creating something that frequently feels like an advertisement for men's grooming products from the 1980s geared toward women. The Shallows is ultimately disappointing.