"Now the customers have fins"

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 waser be in doubt, whether it will 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

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