A salvage boat operator finds himself an unwitting hero when an abnormally large bull shark decides to take umbrage with those who stray into its domain. Kudos to the filmmakers for incorporating a less sensationalist shark species into its story; the pre-occupation with great white terror has waned amid the plethora of movies to emerge in the past decade, and so an this better proportioned alternative is as offbeat as it is a smart choice to re-designate the theme, and breathe new life into the tired formula. That said, the TV budget doesn't always match the promise in delivering a realistic looking bull shark – but at least they tried. The scene in which the shark propels sideways over the walk bridge, to devour the conservationist, is while unexpected and a mild shock, poorly juxtaposed on rewind. Watch it just once, and it should be okay.
If you were wondering where Lou "Stand & Deliver", "La Bamba", "Young Guns" Diamond Phillips had been hiding since his brief stardom ended in the early nineties, this is a typical example. But of course, fans of the genre will have seen LDP in "Bats" just a few years earlier, and so his credentials are well established. Here, he tag teams with the spunky Kristy Swanson, not a name of particular eminence, although she does have the distinction of being the original motion picture "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" before SMG inherited the part (and the subsequent reputation) for the series. Joining them is a largely unknown cast, save for a couple of familiar TV faces, and the presence of rapper-turned "actor", Coolio, who plays, well, himself in this movie. The special make-up effects aren't bad – there's a couple of gruesome touches, which are surprising for a TV movie – and the shark effects, as aforementioned are passable, without baring too much scrutiny.
Overall, "Red Water" was definitely better than the average contemporary shark movie, and worth a second look.
If you were wondering where Lou "Stand & Deliver", "La Bamba", "Young Guns" Diamond Phillips had been hiding since his brief stardom ended in the early nineties, this is a typical example. But of course, fans of the genre will have seen LDP in "Bats" just a few years earlier, and so his credentials are well established. Here, he tag teams with the spunky Kristy Swanson, not a name of particular eminence, although she does have the distinction of being the original motion picture "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" before SMG inherited the part (and the subsequent reputation) for the series. Joining them is a largely unknown cast, save for a couple of familiar TV faces, and the presence of rapper-turned "actor", Coolio, who plays, well, himself in this movie. The special make-up effects aren't bad – there's a couple of gruesome touches, which are surprising for a TV movie – and the shark effects, as aforementioned are passable, without baring too much scrutiny.
Overall, "Red Water" was definitely better than the average contemporary shark movie, and worth a second look.