Johnson Thomas
This survival thriller hooks you like no other
Film: Dangerous Animals
Cast: Hassie Harrison, Jai Courtney, Josh Heuston, Ella Newton, Liam Greinke, Rob Carlton, Ali Basoka, Michael Goldman
Director: Sean Byrne
Rating: * * *
Runtime: 98 min
Sean Byrne’s Dangerous Animals is a shark attack movie with a double bite. The opening pre-credits interlude itself sets the stage for some attention grabbing series of sequences. Here sharks are only the second biggest threat to Zephyr (Hassie Harrison). The sharks just do what you’ve seen in countless movies but it’s one particular man who emerges more dangerous than them.
Bruce Tucker (Jai Courtney), seems like a good-natured captain of the boat that takes tourists into the ocean for cage diving experiences. It’s only when they are in the water that his true nature surfaces. He overpowers the tourists, feeds them to the sharks as live bait while videotaping the whole despicable act. Zephyr a tough surfer, is his latest victim. But she has no intention of becoming shark dinner. As soon as she goes missing her boyfriend, Moses (Josh Heuston), starts looking for her.
The tension increments as the cat and mouse games between Zephyr and Tucker get played out. Zephyr is not an easy prey. She attempts to outwit Tucker, fights back by using her brain to survive. The protagonist’s fighting spirit and never say die attitude is what helps her escape from being chained to a bed and a locked room.
Nick Lepard’s screenplay is sharp and smart, making every moment in the narrative count. For most of this film’s run time, it is Tucker vs. Zephyr, with sharks circling around. Bryne’s direction does the rest. The narrative is lean and tight with not many characters distracting from the main battle. The action is crunchy and has visceral power. Michael Yezerski’s score keeps you attentive and involved.
Courtney as Tucker is suitably demented. His Jekyll and Hyde personality makes for a fascinating turnaround when it counts most. He’s a cold-blooded psychopath, but also quite pathetic. Courtney and Harrison’s performances keep you glued to the tableau that unfolds. Bryne shows himself to be a master at old-fashioned thrills. This movie really makes you sit up and take notice of his exceptional genre skills. Johnsont307@gmail.com
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