How's this for a tone-setter: Richard Dreyfuss in a boat singing "Show Me the Way to Go Home." Then he gets sucked into an embarrassing CGI whirlpool caused by an earthquake and devoured by the piranha unleashed from their underground cavern. Yes, that Richard Dreyfuss.
Actually, this is some cast: Elizabeth Shue, Ving Rhames, Christopher Lloyd (in classic crazy mode as the town fish store owner who just happens to be an expert on prehistoric piranha), SMC favorites Adam Scott and Paul Scheer ("The League"'s Andre), the adorable Jessica Szohr ("Gossip Girls"), Jerry O'Connell and British model Kelly Brook. Oh, she's naked. Set at a spring break party lake, this is pretty much all giant boobs and blood (and a lot of eyeball shots for some reason). It's not exactly The King's Speech, but it's fun if nothing else.
The more interesting discussion is about director Alexandre Aja. In 2003, he made a name for himself with the French horror film High Tension, a well-orchestrated thriller up until a debilitating illogical cliche ending. But it showed potential and marked that foot-in-the-door crossroads all young directors face. Aja's path? Horror remakes. He followed up High Tension with 2006's The Hills Have Eyes, polishing off all the low-budget gritty appeal of Wes Craven's original, and 2008's forgotten Mirrors, which is essentially an English version of the K-horror film, Into the Mirror. But at least those were in genre. Piranha does not even attempt to scare, opting for the campy tone of the 1978 Joe Dante original (not to be confused with James Cameron's debut, 1981's Piranha II: The Spawning). I'm not sure what Aja's career plans are, but it feels a shame that he wasted the opportunity he was presented seven years ago. Then again, maybe he knew something we didn't.
Un-fun fact: Piranhas don't actual eat people. However, they are, in fact, really very ugly.
Of all your reviews, this is the first one that actually made me want to see the movie (sorry). I'm relieved they went with camp instead of horror. It's really hard to make a serious film about scary stuff in the water. Unless you're talking about playing with my uncle at the beach.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of fun and not overly stupid once you accept the premise. A plus. Also, did I mention the boobs?
ReplyDeleteAnd I do not like talking about your uncle. Do not bring him up again.