Evan BrooksSince the release of Jaws in 1975, the "shark movie" genre has captivated audiences worldwide, with Steven Spielberg's masterpiece becoming the highest-grossing film of all time upon its release, spawning three sequels and inspiring a plethora of other films about killer sharks. From blockbuster hits like The Shallows to made-for-TV extravaganzas like Sharknado, sharks have remained a Hollywood staple for the past 50 years. Yet, many shark movies fail to impress.
The two most recent theatrically released shark movies are the 2019 47 Meters Down sequel 47 Meters Down: Uncaged and 2023's The Meg 2, which is so atrocious it's not worth discussing. However, 47 Meters Down: Uncaged is a surprisingly enjoyable film that was a moderate success in theaters and has now become a popular streaming sensation five years later.
In this film, a group of high school girls embark on a perilous cave diving adventure in a recently discovered underwater Mayan city, carved into a cave system. When sea levels rose, the cavernous city was lost beneath the ocean.
As the girls explore the caves, they realize they're not alone. At some point in the past, great white sharks swam into the cave system and, over generations, evolved into albino, blind cave sharks. (The concept was inspired by real-life Mexican Tetra fish.) Adapted to their harsh environment, the cave sharks are brutal, aggressive, opportunistic predators that devour whatever they can find, including a group of young divers.
Admittedly, this movie is absurd and silly. However, looking back at it five years later, it's undeniably fun and entertaining. It's also arguably the best shark movie to be released in some time, as it's far more inventive and suspenseful than other modern shark films like Under Paris, Deep Fear, or The Requin.
A Captivating Underwater Odyssey
While one can be a cinematic connoisseur and lament the implausible premise, it's impossible to deny that 47 Meters Down: Uncaged boasts a captivating setting. Not only are the girls fending off sharks and fretting about their dwindling oxygen supply, but they're doing so while disoriented in the inky blackness of a submerged cave system.
The submerged cave environment is a masterclass in crafting an atmosphere of dread and terror, a feat few modern shark films have achieved. The dark, narrow, and unexplored passages could easily form the basis of a chilling horror movie. Add the lurking predators to the mix, and you have a recipe for a heart-stopping setup. It took the anxiety of the first 47 Meters Down and plunged it into a dark, labyrinthine cave system, creating a truly hair-raising ambiance. Uncaged is, in essence, Jaws meets The Descent, and I have no reservations about that whatsoever.
Notably, Uncaged was predominantly filmed underwater, eschewing green screen simulations. In an interview with CinemaBlend, the cast revealed that a staggering 80% to 90% of the movie was actually filmed underwater, lending Uncaged a tangible sense of realism and claustrophobia.
The CGI is surprisingly effective
In addition to its captivating setting, Uncaged also boasts some commendable computer-generated imagery. Shark movies rarely generate sufficient revenue to warrant a studio investing millions in shark animatronics. Unfortunately, we’ll have to accept CGI sharks as the norm moving forward. However, CGI can manifest in various forms.
Certain recent shark movies had the potential to be somewhat decent, like Netflix’s Under Paris, but were utterly ruined by their atrocious, cheap, and fake-looking CGI sharks. And Under Paris isn’t an isolated case. Most recent shark movies are marred by subpar CGI, such as Something in the Water, The Black Demon, and numerous others.
Uncaged, on the other hand, boasts some impressive CGI considering its budget, with most scenes appearing remarkably convincing. It’s undoubtedly one of the most visually stunning shark movies of the modern era. The film’s setting also plays a significant role in its success. The darkness of the cave system shrouds most of the sharks’ bodies in darkness, cleverly concealing many of the CGI’s imperfections.
The entire movie feels revitalized and original
One of the most striking advantages of Uncaged stems from its innovative approach. Unlike most exceptional shark films, which typically feature a colossal predator wreaking havoc on humans, often with a group (or individual) stranded in a desperate situation where rescue seems impossible, Uncaged retains the fundamental formula but cleverly reimagines it to captivate the audience’s attention.
The cave setting and the blind sharks introduce a refreshing twist to a genre notorious for its predictability. The sharks, having lost their sight, are oblivious to their surroundings, even when prey is mere inches away. However, their heightened sense of hearing and smell makes them acutely sensitive to even the faintest disturbance.
47 Meters Down: Uncaged Trailer #1 (2019) | Movieclips Indie
The new rules of engagement necessitate novel survival strategies, and with the action unfolding within the labyrinthine underwater cave system, Uncaged manages to distinguish itself as a unique and electrifying experience. It keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering where the narrative might lead and how the new scenario will influence the characters’ decisions.
If you can suspend your disbelief regarding the outlandish storyline and improbable scenario, you’ll discover that 47 Meters Down: Uncaged is, in fact, a ridiculously entertaining (and utterly absurd) shark movie that you’ll thoroughly enjoy.
It was recently announced that a third installment, 47 Meters Down: The Wreck, is in the early stages of development and will focus on divers who become trapped in a shark-infested shipwreck. So fans should prepare themselves for another dose of shark-infested action. But before then, Uncaged is an absolute must-see for fans of shark movies or anyone who loves a spine-tingling adventure.
Stream 47 Meters Down: Uncaged on Netflix.
