The Shallows: A Great Movie for Shark Week

I debated seeing this one.  The previews reminded me of that movie with Collin Farrell where the whole movie was basically based around a single scene involving a phone booth, only in our case this would be based on a rock in the ocean.  My assumptions were not wrong, but I am still glad I saw it and was still in suspense.  I also hope I don't upset any animal rights activists when saying this but, I kind of wanted to punch the shark in the face, but also our main character Nancy.  You'll see why.

Nancy is in search of direction when she leaves med school after her mother dies of Cancer.  To Nancy, no matter how hard her mom fought, Cancer won in the end.  So to her, she couldn't dedicate her life to a profession that can't save everyone.  She flees her world and does what makes her heart happy and brings her closer to her mom, she heads to an isolated, exotic beach to surf.

Nancy may have been a med student, but the girl isn't too bright when it comes to life choices.  Surfing by yourself while only having one person know what you're doing sounds lovely, but that's how chicks get kidnapped.  She does find a good surf and things do seem to be going well though.  She meets two surfer locals and proves to them this Texan gal knows how to take on the big waves.

After surfing one last wave, she sees something in the distance and curiosity gets the best of her.  As she swims closer, she sees it's a dead whale, and just when she realizes how it died, she sees the predator coming right for her.  The shark drags her as she fights to get free.  She somehow is released from his teeth and climbs onto a patch of rock surrounded by water.  Her surfer friends have left, she is severely wounded, and has nowhere to go while her predator lurks in the distance.

There are signs of hope when her surfer friends come back for the next day's surf, but I think we all know what happens to them when they try to save her.  Without giving away too many spoilers, I will let you go see it to find out if she makes it out of this alive.

Blake Lively did a great job portraying Nancy, and let's be honest, I think men and women all over have had a crush on her at some point.  Ryan Reynolds, you are one lucky dude.  The premise could seem cheesy, but there is a decent amount of suspense.  My only regret was seeing it by myself.  I recommend bringing someone you can lean into and cover your eyes.  It was the perfect entertaining summer thriller.