Film / News
Shark attack horror at Bristol Aquarium
Amazing as it may seem, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of Renny Harlin’s Deep Blue Sea. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the film is back on Bristol’s biggest cinema screen at the former IMAX inside the aquarium. The screening will be introduced by one of the aquarists, who will debunk some of the film’s shark myths and talk about shark conservation. Before the film starts, a collection of shark artefacts – including a real mako shark jaw (the sharks in the film) – will be on display for punters to hold and look at. In case you crave a photograph of yourself sticking your head inside a shark’s jaw, a cast of a real megalodon shark jaw will also be available for this purpose.
Those who haven’t seen Deep Blue Sea will not be surprised to learn that it is very silly indeed. But it craves forgiveness by revelling in its absurdity, delivering all the shocks and entertainment you could possibly want along the way. Face it: the best you can hope for from a high-concept killer shark movie is that you won’t be able to predict who’s next to be gobbled up and when it’s going to happen. On that count, this one merits the full five stars. Unfortunately, there’s also some plot to fill in the gaps between snacks. Saffron Burrows, in one of the great unconvincing performances of all time, is a posh English evil vivisectionist who experiments on living shark noggins in the hope of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. For reasons of plot chivvyment, her wealthy backer has sent along Samuel L Jackson to oversee the boffinry at her conveniently isolated deep-sea research facility filled with disposable extras. Outside, a CGI storm begins to brew. Imagine the pitch: “It’s Aliens! Underwater! With sharks!”
The screening takes place on Saturday 21 September, commencing at 6:45pm. Advance tickets are available here.
Main image: Warner Brothers Entertainment
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