CHOMPFEST 2025

First, Shark Zone is the unofficial fourth installment into the Shark Attack series; however, you do not need to have seen the previous movie which was about a megalodon, and this one is not traveling down that vein. Danny Lerner director and writer of the film, who interestingly went on to direct Raging Sharks [2005] and Shark in Venice [2008]; and was assisted by Sam Parish. Both Danny and Sam, borrowed a little from the Jaws [1975] formula by noting the mayor’s resistance to close the beaches, worrisome of business owners, and a woman taking in swimming venture with dangers lurking in the water. For curious minded fans, the film’s production was completed by Nu Image which is just a few steps ahead of The Asylum made films it lends some insight to its values.

Brandi Sherwood and Dean Cochran

There’s truly a bizarre opening to the film, as the viewers are treated to a wonky score of ballet music and a disjointed history lesson of an old sailing ship called Santa Cruz in the ocean coming from Spain and traveling to the west of the nation – um okay. A freak storm occurs, and all hands are lost as well as cases of gold and diamonds. Then a time jump (the first of two) we meet former Navy SEAL Andrew Wagner (Alan Austin), and his son Jimmy (Dean Cochran (Amityville 1992: It’s About Time [1992])) runs a scuba tourist business to those that like to investigate the ship are drop from a Russian helicopter (okay kinda odd) which is piloted by Igor. The entire tour does not pay attention to any rules and is devoured by growling sharks, except Jimmy who amazingly is rescued by Igor (not in credits) who arrived on scene unexpectedly and after he outswam a shark that gave up on its easy prey. All right time for the second time jump, ten years later Jimmy still suffers from PTSD as he’s lifeguard manager/beach protector who doesn’t go in the water, sounds bit like Chief Brody. Although he does patrol from a yacht or a small helicopter, and when it comes time to hunt the sharks, he sends others into harm’s way. His one lifeguard is Harker (Daniel Tzochev) who is far more interested in watching the tanning beauties on the beach rather than scanning the ocean for troubles. Needless there is an attack, and several bathers were killed the Mayor Cortell (yep, he portrayed by the same actor who was Andrew earlier just without the facial hair – classy). By now the audience has met mobster Volkoff (Velizar Binev (Hammerhead [2005])) who wants to be taken to Santa Cruz for the diamonds, however Jimmy doesn’t want to go but mobsters don’t take now for an answer, and by the third act his wife Carrie (Brandi Sheerwood), whose job is to look pretty and does nothing but keep a lovely home and son Danny (Luke Leavitt) becomes a much more important pawn in a batty zany game of greed versus sharks. Fret, not the sharks patrol the ocean as if a gang of marauders looking for another fast meal and Jimmy works to find victims remains and blood pools in the water. Hey, at the end not exactly a time jump, rather a transitional cut to the family on a vacation via a cruise ship yet Jimmy still has daymares as a massive shark head emerges in the boat’s swimming pool.

Velizar Binev as Volkoff

Some might notice that this film does borrows about 10-minutes of footage that shows shark attacks and victims from the shark attack movies. Included in this series is lame form of chumming, inter-laced with professional filming of sharks on the prowl and a mixture of sad practical effects and weak CGI, along with a poorly choreographed fight sequence late in the third act, though not as bad as the one in The Godfather (1972). The character Jimmy is very lucky the Australian guy who steered the yacht “Down Under” in Shark Attack 2 [2000] must have sold it to him for this movie; unless you don’t think they reused a larger prop.
In addition, the movie is quite is illogical and easily disproven assumption concerning sharks, such as great whites swimming schools, they are often lone predators, and during the movie Jimmy insists that no one knows the gestation period is for a Great White, although that information is found online and in books thanks marine biologists which is 12-18 months. Most of the chomping is quite gory, and the camera does not shy away from showing it which is a plus.

First, know that you could do a lot worst with a shark movie, just think it is not Shark Exorcist [2015] with that said there is a lot that wrong with the movie, besides the simple knowledge errors about sharks, the lack of proper communication devices underwater is a common mistake in these flicks. As the film winds down to the third act so does the entertainment values plunge to depths of the sea floor where the sharks roar with delight with each of their kills, learning nothing since Jaws: The Revenge [1987]. If you want to enjoy the repeated scenes of chomping as well as the attempts pitiful acting with convictions then view this contemptuous flick or if you are a dedicated shark movie enthusiast then this is worth a one-time viewing.

Greetings!

TAGLINE: Terror Has Surfaced

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339236/

IMDb Rating: 2.8/10

Baron’s Rating: 2.5/10