Title:
Bait
Year:
2012
Genre:
Action, Horror, Thriller
Director:
Kimble Rendall
Writer:
John Kim and Russell Mulcahy (written by) and Shayne Armstrong, Duncan Kennedy,
Shane Krause and Justin Monjo (additional writing)
Runtime:
91min
Cast:
Xavier Samuel, Sharni Vinson, Julian McMahon, Phoebe Tonkin, Cariba Heine,
Alice Parkinson, Lincoln Lewis, Alex Russell, Dan Wyllie, Richard Brancatisano,
Joel Amos Byrnes, Ashton Chen, Adrian Pang
Produc.:
Bait Productions, Screen Australia, Media Development Authority (MDA), Pictures
in Paradise, Blackmagic Design Films, Blackmagic Design, Story Bridge Films
Budget.:
AUD 30 million approx.
In
Bait, after a tsunami, several people get trapped in a supermarket. The
survivors must find a way out, without being eaten by white sharks, that have
been brought by the current.
The
morning after a bachelor party, Josh (Xavier Samuel), who is a lifeguard, fails
to save his girlfriend's brother in a shark attack. That day he loses them both,
as Tina (Sharni Vinson) takes it up with him.
Six months later, Josh arrives at his work in a supermarket, in a day that will be
full of surprises. Suddenly, two masked men have broken into the place, immediately
executing a woman. Something that is not much, compared to what is to come. Moments
later, a giant tsunami sweeps away, beach and city, flooding the supermarket.
Survivors
in there are to help one another out of the water, to safe places. The lucky
ones have been Tina and Steven (Qi Yuwu), her new boyfriend; Jaimie (Phoebe
Tonkin) and Todd (Martin Sacks), his police father; Collins (Damien Garvey),
Josh and Naomi (Alice Parkinson), local employees; and Doyle (Julian McMahon)
and Kirby (Dan Wyllie), the assailants.
Nor
has the parking lot had better luck. Because Ryan (Alex Russell), Jaimie's
boyfriend, has been trapped in his wagon, like young Heather (Cariba Heine)
and Kyle (Lincoln Lewis), a little couple caught in their own car. The only
thing left, in both scenarios, is that they realize they are not longer alone.
The tsunami has brought two twelve-foot sharks.
I do not know if it was due to little inteligence, lack of interest in the argument,
or total ignorance, concerning human psychology, but none of the characters is
going to show to be too much nervous about what happens. They almost drowned
and now they could be eaten alive, and yet, are unable to shiver, mourn or cry
of fear. I am not saying the three had to ocurr, but at least one. With
behaviors that do not fit with the situation and regrettable interpretations in
itself, it makes it difficult for one to empathize with them. Instead, some
survivors find the time to be heroes, or to bring up repressed feelings. Even
Steven, turns out to be an asian with such ridiculous survival ideas, that
amazes the others would listen.
Living
a similar situation we have Heather and Kyle, who in their car look like tucked in a aquarium, with an interesting 360º panoramic view. At
first they hear noises or think they can see movements in the water. Once they
discover what the threat is, instead of panicking, they prefer to argue over stupidities. The animal rams against them a couple of times, being these the only moments when Heather and Kyle yell. Moreover, it is easy to realize that their
characters have been written to make us laugh, something that does not suit
with the film.
Lets now continue with the most prominent characters. Because here, the sharks do not
get behind. I will forever be in doubt, whether it was due to budgetary
problems, or to the unwillingness of the FX team and the disinterest of its
director. Either way, I believe to have distinguished, both animatronics and
digital sharks, and in the second case, they have not gone farther than the
most basic and elemental 3D design, insufficient to convey the drama.
I
can, however, stand out, that at least some effort was put into the attacks.
The death of Mr. Jessup, with the animal leaping from the water and tearing him
half body, should be considered of the best. Once the shark dives back, it can
be seen in detail what the man has been reduced to below the hip. Only exposed
flesh, dripping blood and guts, is what we have now, instead of his legs.
In
short, the movie is not good and has many more flaws than attributes. The only
reason not to leave it before the end, I think would be the curiosity of seeing
the great whites attack, or the humor (though misplaced) of Kyle and Heather.
My
rating: 2/10
