Chompfest 2023

Here is the first entry into The Horror Times 2023 Chompfest, our version of Shark Week, but let’s say this fest lost its teeth and decided to keep everything very weak. In a time of the year where numerous shark movies begin surfacing and looking to exploit fears of swimmers and terrorize dynamic scenes in the hopes of reconjuring thoughts of Jaws [1975]. The production comes from a production company in China, and focused its release for the small screen namely Tubi and Prime for those interested in a swiss cheese flick which was known by its formal title Xue Sha and another curious title Horror Shark directed by Yue-ang Wang. This movie’s plot is highly similar to at least two other flicks, perhaps even four and I will note them all first the most obvious is Deep Blue Sea [1999], a very rich individual is carrying out a series of experiments on some sharks for what reason is never too clear. However, the location design is in a so-called protected facility with an industrial strength fencing, yeah we heard of that before, so the beasts can’t get out, but they often do that special feat. Nevertheless, let’s continue, as nothing could ever go wrong…

Ming Shu Yung (Lik-Sung Fong) is a scientist, who suffered a shark attack long ago as he rescued Jiwan (Weitong Zhau) in the process he lost his left leg, and fears these stealthy hunters as he also suffers from intense PTSAD (Post-Traumatic Shark Attack Disorder) was invited to attend a special event Kingdom Under the Seas (nod to Jaws 3D [1983]) with professor of biology named Jessica (Tara Clance). He has enormous fears just like Chief Brody of Jaws [1975] fame, but he’s there to meet the owner Chin who wants them to endorse his underwater experience, and here’s the Jurassic Park [1993] connection. However, there’s more, she’s altering the genetic design of the sharks, namely creating a Blood Shark (no such thing actually exists) it is having a red head and tail, this hence would remind one of 2015 film Jurassic World’s Masrani and Henry Wu characters. He hopes these two will assist in helping discover more funding and accolades, but skepticism abounds greatly. Meanwhile Jiwan reappears now as a professional shark wrangler with maddening skills, sort of, recalling for a moment the origin of the film and the suggestive mindset attitudes regarding women. This is enhanced by who is Chin’s assistant Yow (Yue’ang Wang) who clearly adheres to and supports every thought in a positive outlook. Soon enough the new shark is dominating the waters, targeting the same spot on the glass walls, and that merely foreshadowing, the story develops into a blatant rip-off of Deep Blue Sea’s second act from how the shark gets into the facility and some the actions of cast. Oh, the suspense of what’s going to happen next… which is unimportant.

As for the story, it tries to hide the numerous plot holes, and frankly sheer scene plagiarism, which matches effortlessly against the finer creations, resulting too noticeable even for the causal viewer. The CGI is absolutely horrendous, thoroughly silly looking, and makes it tough for viewer to enjoy the paltry entertainment the movie splashes in the clearest underwater shots which perhaps are nothing more than a large swimming pool. Finally, the characters continue to get dumber and dumber in their actions during the film which feels is the problematic script. A saving grace the dubbing wasn’t too bad and won’t take away from viewer’s listening abilities.

This flick, isn’t worth your time or money, it suffers on so many levels it’s amazing it’s not chum yet, truly forgettable, hence writing a fast review as I shall forget this mess quickly. Where’s Wild Eye Releasing or The Asylum, hell Jaws: The Revenge [1987] is magnificent uptick than this delivered. There’s not one  original thought, it’s one thing to give a nod or homage to a previous movie another to blatantly rip-off others work exposing numerous shortcomings.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12749860/

IMDb Rating: 3.2/10

Baron’s Rating: 2.5/10

No trailer available however if you want to see the movie just go to Tubi or Prime.