Film Review: DEEP BLUE SEA 2 (2018)

It seems that you can teach a bull shark new tricks in the horror film DEEP BLUE SEA 2 (2018).  Billionaire Carl Durant (Michael Beach) has assembled a group of talented scientists lead by lead bull shark specialist Misty Calhoun (Danielle Savre) to reveal his latest accomplishment which is that he has been experimenting with bull sharks making them smarter, more aggressive, and extremely dangerous to the point that these cause Durant’s research facility to be flooded allowing the sharks access for the killing spree.  Now Misty and the rest of the scientist must find a way to the surface while trying to escape bull sharks that see all of them as easy prey and easy game.

Like the original 1999 film, an underwater facility that’s gets flooded is the ticking time bomb for the cast to find a way to safety.  But unlike the original film, this film is filled with sub-par acting (probably due to the bad script) with even worse CGI effects.  Very little originality is had in this film which borrows heavily from the original film.

The film is written by Erik Patterson, Jessica Scot, and Hans Rodionoff (who also provides the story) and directed by Darin Scott, whose previous films include Dark House (2009) and the less interesting American Horror House (2012) and A Housekeeper’s Revenge (2016).  This film lacks any real suspense and there are only a few genuine moments or gore that are interesting.  Otherwise, this is a pretty forgettable sequel.

Film Review: 500 MPH STORM (2013)

The weather has never been as dangerous as it is in 500 MPH Storm (2013).  Well, maybe in any typical Syfy Channel movie the weather is a dangerous element especially when man has something to do with as he does in this film.  Nathan Sims (Casper Van Dien) is enjoying the day with his family when he is informed that his friend and colleague Simon Caprisi (Michael Beach) has turned on his experimental weather machine which goes out of control creating massive hurricanes that rip across America.  Now time is running out as Sims must get his family to safety and find a way to stop his machine before it creates a “hypercane” that could destroy North America. 

Unfortunately, despite the very Eco-friendly message of the film it’s riddled with bad acting and horrible CGI visual FX which take you out of the film.  Dien is not a stranger to these types of films since most of his career in the past decade has been of this variety.  He does the best that he can but there isn’t much that he’s given.

Written by Kuang Lee and Hank Woon Jr., the film also suffers from the fact that as ludicrous as the idea is no one seems to be having any fun in the film least of all Dien.  Supporting characters are more annoying than normal to the point that you wish some of them would just die and the film slugs along through its 86 minute run time.  A film to avoid if possible.