The “Open Water” films aren’t linked narratively, but they share a common premise: People accidentally get dumped in shark-infested waters and try to survive. To mix things up a little, “Open Water 3: Cage Dive” (2017) is a “found footage” movie.
Not all wet
An opening title card intimates that this is true found footage and warns viewers of its graphic nature. (The first film actually was based on a true story; the sequels are not.) If this had come out just ahead of “The Blair Witch Project” in 1999, it might be a classic. Since it came out 18 years later, it’s just another faux-found footage movie.
But not a terrible one – although there are as many LOL moments as there are awesome shark attacks. Two California dude-bros and a chick who looks hot in a bikini are stranded in the ocean when a rogue wave tips their boat over. (This is one of the LOL moments, mainly for the TV footage at the movie’s start. Maybe it was supposed to be a re-creation rather than an actual overhead shot, but it’s still hilarious.)
“Open Water 3: Cage Dive” (2017)
Director: Gerald Rascionato
Writers: Gerald Rascionato (screenplay, story), Stephen Lister (story)
Stars: Joel Hogan, Josh Potthoff, Megan Peta Hill
On Tuesdays this summer, Reviews from My Couch is highlighting classic (and not so classic) shark horror films through the years.
Probably owing to the low budget (but made plausible in that we’re limited to the handheld camera footage), we don’t see what happens to the boat. Because they are in an underwater cage when the wave strikes, the trio survives.
Writer-director Gerald Rascionato spends more time on characterization than most found-footage films. Jeff (Joel Hogan), Josh (Josh Potthoff) and Megan (Megan Peta Hill) are shooting their whole Australian vacation for an audition tape for a reality show. Probably “The Real World” or “Big Brother” — something like that. A cousin in Sydney and recommends the shark-dive off the Adelaide coast.
Triangle of terror
They’re in a love triangle, although Jeff doesn’t know this. There’s a little more to them than their initial immature sketches of two mansplainers and a woman who seems like she requires the mansplaining. The relationship drama is always a little amusing, though, and the worst acting comes when they basically play out a “Big Brother” clash after a day of floating in the ocean.
When they are being “natural,” the actors are good. Also, a shout-out goes to that Aussie cousin, Greg (Pete Valley). He’s interviewed after seeing the footage, and Valley’s expression of mixed horror and reflection is spot-on.
“Cage Dive” isn’t dread-infused like the original “Open Water” and “The Reef.” It leans toward the fun, cheesy brand of shark horror. As such, a rating comes down to silly moments versus awesome moments. We get a couple great shark-attack scenes and one nice gore effect. But the silly moments are accidentally entertaining in their own way, notably the scene with the flare gun on the raft.
(Also, here’s a rare bonus point for a shark movie: The soundtrack of indie pop is quite good, and not as out of place as you’d assume.)
Ultimately, “Open Water 3: Cage Dive” argues against the theory that God looks out for stupid people. Look, no one deserves to get eaten by sharks just for being dumb, but … Well, let’s just say that even the sharks are probably shaking their snouts in disbelief underwater.