DEEP BLUE SEA 3
US, 2020, 90 minutes, Colour.
Tania Raymonde, Nathanial Buzolic, Emerson Brooks, Bren Foster.
Directed by John Pogue.
If there has to be a third in the Deep Blue Sea franchise, then it might as well be this one. It draws on the characters, in general, from the previous two films. But it also draws, quite substantially, on the previous plots, three Road Newton sharks, business interests, possible cure for Alzheimer’s, scientists and underwater exploration, collaboration and betrayals.
The film is strong on theme of climate change, the rising of the Seas, the disappearing of villages, especially here in the Mozambique Strait. There is a great deal of underwater photography – and an affirmation of the use of underwater drones. However, there is an expedition seeking the sharks, wanting to destroy them – because, if they mate, they will diss produce mutant offspring which will be destruction destructive of sea life.
Filmed in South Africa, two Australian male leads, tough action, especially on the part of the women – and, interestingly, it is only women who survive.
And, even for a sedate audience, there is a moment where they will leap from their seats as Richard dies into the water, straight into the mouth of the shark!
More or less as expected.
1. The Deep Blue Sea series, the 1990s, the gap of 20 years, two sequels?
2. Continuity of plot, Rogue sharks, mutants, destruction, business interests and profit, power and domination, alleged cure for Alzheimer’s? Pursuit of the sharks to destroy them?
3. The Mozambique island setting, filmed in South Africa? The village and the rising tide? The scientist setting up, their headquarters, technology? The underwater sequences? The variety of underwater life? Drone photography? The sharks and the special effects? The musical score?
4. Emma, strong character, qualifications, leader of the team? Underwater negativity and skills? Reliance on Eugene, memory of her father? His contribution? The members of the team, the rather nerdish young man, his skills and learning, attraction to the apprentice? Her presence, qualifications? Their work together?
5. The arrival of the ship, Richard and his past with Emma, their clashes? The story of the sharks? Their expedition, the business interests, Alzheimer’s cure? The lies, covering their intentions?
6. Emma, her response, the clashes with Richard? The urgency of the situation, the attack of the sharks?
7. Lucas, his role in the expedition, with Richard, his taking a stand, the business interests, Richard opposing – and the shock of his being swallowed by the shark? Lucas and his attack, firing at the village to destroy it?
8. Emma, Eugene top, Lukas setting the mine, Emma to dismantle it, attracting the sharks away, putting the mine on the ship, the explosion? Lucas surviving, coming ashore, the fierce fight with Emma?
9. Eugene, his final help, lowering the sharks away, destroying them, giving his life?
10. The two locals, the cook and the meals, his being killed, his wife’s grief? Her surviving with Emma, on the boat, the sideboard and the young woman emerging? Only female survivors?
