The Reef

"You look like a seal in that, sharks love seals."

In a thriller like this one you have to be careful about what you leave to the imagination and what you show. Thankfully The Reef finds the balance and manages to perfectly capture despair and isolation without sacrificing pacing or disappointing the audience with a lack of sharks.

I liked this film a lot, its only problem was being a little too derivative. It's very similar to both Open Water and its sequel. However, it takes the ideas presented in those and ramps up the events. Whereas Open Water's screentime was largely devoted to two people floating in the ocean, The Reef leaves four people isolated and picks them off one by one. It makes for a much more traditionally entertaining experience, but it's well done in a way that doesn't make it typical. There's actual suspense and build-up to the scares.

The shark scenes are done well, mixing real footage of a great white with our actors. When I heard this was how the effects were done before seeing the film I was iffy on the concept. However, it's nearly perfect. The digital compositing of the people into the shark footage and vice-versa is flawlessly done. There's only one shot that stands out as a bit unreal, but it's very brief and doesn't take away from the experience.

If you were one who enjoyed this directors other film Black Water, or enjoyed the concepts presented in Open Water (or the film itself), than The Reef is definitely a film worth checking out.

Critical rating- 7/10
Entertainment rating- 7/10
Shark movie rating- 8/10

5 Things More Likely to Kill You than a Shark Attack

To combat the negative portrayal this blog might give for sharks, I've decided to compile a list of 5 things more likely to kill you than a shark attack.

Each year there are about 100 reported shark attacks, with only about 4 causing death. According to The Shark Attack File  17 people were killed from a shark attack in 2011. This was an increase in number over previous years, but still nothing compared to the following ways of death:

5.) Malfunctions While Scuba Diving
You're more likely to die under water from complications with scuba equipment than being attacked by a shark. Over 100 people die every year from scuba divining incidents like these. Almost 6 times more likely than being attacked by a shark!

4.) Death From Jellyfish
The jellyfish is the true ocean-dwelling killer. Over 40 people die yearly from jellyfish attacks, and many, many more are injured from the creatures.You probably know someone who's been stung by one! I'm not in the least afraid of sharks, but if I see a jellyfish in the water you better believe I won't be back in there for a while.

Far scarier than Bruce!

3.) Falling Coconuts
Even more than jellyfish, if you're visiting the beach this summer you need to be on the look out for coconuts. Often a comical scene in television programs, the danger of falling coconuts is very real. So watch out next time you decide to relax underneath a palm tree!


2.) Cow Attack
More deaths from cow attacks are reported each year than any shark attacks. Perhaps they're tired of us eating them and their children!


1.) Defective Toaster
In 2007 there were 791 people killed by toasters.

So while you may think sharks are scary, this is what you really should be afraid of.