Bait 3D Creates Seasickness: A Movie Review

Director: Kimble Rendall.

Writers: Shayne Armstrong, Duncan Kennedy, John Kim, Shane Krause, Justin Monjo, and Russell Mulcahy.

Cast: Phoebe Tonkin, Xavier Samuel, Julian McMahon, Sharni Vinson, Cariba Heine, Alex Russell, Lincoln Lewis, and Alice Parkinson.

Tagline: "Cleanup on aisle 7."

Bait 3D joins a long list of killer shark movies. From Jaws (1975) to Deep Blue Sea (1999) and more recently to Open Water 2: Adrift (2006), there have been many reasons to be afraid of the water. With this latest Australian entry into the genre, fans of thrillers can relax because computer enhanced sharks and false looking tsunamis will create very little fear. Really, Bait simply flounders as the shallow characters and weak storyline massage you into apathy.

Speaking of storylines, Bait focuses on the plot devices rather than the characters. There are rogue tidal waves, bank robberies, roaming sharks and the threat of electrocution. But, none of these elements create for an interesting time. Characters are given little backstory. A shark attack and a broken nuptial are the only setup for the next ninety minutes.

Thankfully, those ninety minutes go by at a quick clip, but there is hardly anything worth recommending in this piece. There is a reliance on cliches and heroic deeds. It seems like each male character is trying to outdo the next to see who can die quickest. This style of writing just creates for a lot of chum. Diving suits made out of store shelves is comedic and an obvious drowning hazard. But, none of the characters seem to care about all of the idiocy happening around them. So, why should the audience care?

You really should not give a damn. Bait experienced several productions upsets including the replacement of the film's director. The writing team of six participants seemed to water down the script and there is little entertainment found in 10' worth of water. Horror and thriller fans are warned away from this film, which meekly hits store shelves September 18th.

Overall: 6 out of 10 (character cliches, weak storylines, film seems rushed, cheap ending, overuse of CGI).

Another review of Bait at Indiewire (Gabe Toro):

Bait Reviewed at Indie Wire

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Posted in: 2012,australia,cast,crew,indie,shark,swamp shark,thriller movie review