VOD film review: Deep Blue Sea 3
Review Overview
Likelihood of you yelling "Blimey Charlie!"
9The need to see Deep Blue Sea 2 first
2This reviewer shouting "Please be cut in half" at one point
10Ian Loring | On 12, Sep 2020
Director: John Pogue
Cast: Tania Raymonde, Nathaniel Buzolic, Emerson Brooks
Certificate: 15
Watch Deep Blue Sea 3 online in the UK: Apple TV (iTunes) / Prime Video (Buy/Rent) / TalkTalk TV / Virgin Movies / Rakuten TV / Google Play / Sky Store / CHILI
1999’s Deep Blue Sea is a film fondly remembered by many, although mainly for one of the best unexpected deaths of all time. The tale of genetically modified sharks with massive brains terrorising their lunch is a solid gold concept and with a second film that made zero impact, it’s with some surprise that Deep Blue Sea 3 pulls off the trick of not feeling worthy of a cinematic release by any means while also delivering enough to be a good time.
Tania Raymonde – Brittany in Amazon’s Goliath and probably most notable in the past for playing Alex in Lost – headlines as Emma in a story which sees climate change researchers butting heads with a bunch of corporate-hired mercenaries on the hunt for some rather clever sharks. While the film feels a little grimy in its insistence on Raymonde’s scientist wearing a skimpy two-piece when she’s got wetsuits all over the place, she’s an engaging presence who presents Emma as a strong, capable leader and remains likeable throughout. The rest of the cast feel pretty direct-to-video, although Reina Aoi and Alex Bhat have goofy, fun chemistry as a geeky couple out of their depth.
Also helping proceedings is a surprising amount of production value throughout. While the CGI sharks can be pretty ropy – this feels somewhat intentional – there’s a good deal of underwater photography which is impressive and the bulk of the film being shot in exteriors makes it feel wider in scope than the somewhat limited setting would do.
It’s fair to say that director Pogue handles the tone well; this is a silly premise within a series of films where you just want to see people be eaten by sharks in surprising ways, and one moment in particular is sure to provoke some good belly laughs. This is a pretty cold-blooded film with some gnarly imagery (a reveal of someone torn in half is also a highlight) but anyone going into Deep Blue Sea 3 not knowing exactly what to expect could probably do with a shock to their senses.
Deep Blue Sea 3 feels like a classic beer-and-pizza-on-a-Friday-night effort that entertains consistently and does more than enough to stick in the memory. It knows what it is, has a ball doing it and ends on a strong note. An easy recommend if the title makes you curious.