‘Hot Spring Shark Attack' Review – A Zany Shark Film That Spoofs And Idolizes
Set in a small hot spring town in Japan, a series of events reawakens an ancient shark that begins terrorizing the local hot spring facilities. As the threat escalates, the townspeople unite to protect their beloved town from the menacing predator, culminating in a fierce and thrilling battle.
Hot Spring Shark Attack is one extended, winding spoof of every shark movie. A scene where a body on the beach is found is right out of the opening of Jaws. Our brave leaders do battle against the beast in a submarine reminiscent of The Meg. In addition to shark flare, the movie lampoons a multitude of genre films, including superhero films. There is a he-man seen throwing a hammerhead shark from the ocean in an exchange right out of Aquaman. They say imitation is the best form of flattery, and while I would not call this Hot Spring Shark Attack flattering, it is bold in its desire to create a so-bad-it's-good movie.
The effects in the film are laughable. We're talking almost entry-level film school, or backyard movie-making that's not quite up to par, but that's the point. The ludicrous nature of both the story and its execution is intentional. If this film pretended to be a gripping drama, or even a melodrama, we'd need more than a bigger boat to bail out of this mess. However, the decision to go overboard with the blatantly crude effects and over-the-top story gives this film a flavor and credibility that few shark films achieve.
Jaws set the standard, and no film has cleared the bar set by Steven Spielberg's now fifty-year-old masterpiece. The challenge for newcomers trying to make a shark film is over-exaggeration and finding a new way to give the shark new teeth, so to speak. By comparison, even films with the best intentions find themselves barely treading the water. In other words, Jaws did it so well in 1975 that every other attempt sinks to the bottom of the sea.
Here is why films like Sharknado, which are blatantly ludicrous, have at least resonated with audiences. The art of the spoof, even when the cast is taking the material seriously, gives these films some buoyancy to stay afloat. Hot Spring Shark Attack is by no means a comparison to the other shark-lampooning movies. Still, it is clever enough to check all the boxes we associate with this particular subgenre. It still delivers a hilarious and outright bonkers story: levitating and airborne sharks, comic book-level explosions, and sharky shenanigans.
Sharks in a hot spring, why not? The hilarious locale only adds to the film's earnest cleverness. Once we buy into this ridiculous setup, the rest is easy sailing. Every actor here is aware of the film's aims and plays it to the hilt. There are no brainless character decisions or blatant archetypes. Well, there are, from a police chief to a shark expert to concerned bathers. However, herein lies the film's silly brilliance. All the characters are playing to type. They are unaware that this is a spoof, yet they give us performances and reactions worthy of a Scary Movie entry.
Hot Spring Shark Attack will overwhelm some by the sheer magnitude of its farce. Yes, the effects are subpar, but everything here is intentional. We roar with laughter as the film lampoons and lambasts the subgenre of shark films. The impact is both cringeworthy and somewhat refreshing, but overall, it's enjoyable.
Hot Spring Shark Attack is playing in select theaters and is available on VOD courtesy of Utopia.
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