There’s just something about these crazy premises that grabs me: rabid prehistoric piranhas alive and kicking, trapped in an underwater cave…mako sharks with enhanced intelligence, physical capabilities, and aggression due to alzheimer’s research…Yes, they’re ridiculous and not to be taken seriously at all, but they kind of make sense, don’t you think? They’re rooted in some kind of consistent logic. They exist in a world with limits and they are not all that arbitrary/without intention…you know what I mean?

I mean, let’s consider the plot of the film in question: the same rabid prehistoric piranha from Piranha 3D somehow infiltrate our plumbing/water systems and end up in bathtubs, swimming pools, water parks, what have you. It’s totally outrageous, but it kind of makes sense, right? And it seems like a lot of fun. I’m sold!

And something tells me that Piranha 3DD is one of those hilariously self-aware films. Yes, there’s a strong horror/gorefest element to it, but it’s also very comical and it actually knows that. It’s like the film is saying, “Oh yeah, this guy got his head chopped off in one fell swoop and that should be a totally horrible and scary spectacle but we know people in the theater/at home on their couches are laughing their asses off so we’re gonna play up this scene for extra laughs.” But I haven’t seen the movie, so I really shouldn’t talk [yet].

Anyway…I’m longwinded! And listen to me: talking about movies like they’re living, thinking, feeling entities. But really, in certain ways they are, aren’t they? But that’s another discussion for another day. I wanna see Piranha 3DD!

The only problem many die hard fans of the book may have is with the character of Mr. Sanderson.. In the novel Paul Kemp and Sanderson represent the dueling persona’s of Hunter, one being a cutthroat athletic type, the other being the booze-hound anti-authoritarian. In this film, Johnny Depp plays more to the character being a young HST and combines the characteristics of both into Kemp. Some may have a problem with this, but the movie is stronger for it as you are only rooting for the protagonist while giving the story a strong antagonist, a necessity in filmmaking.

For me, this is Bruce Robinson’s best work on screen for now, Johnny Depp is totally awe-inspiringly believable as a very young and constrained Hunter, and the cast could not have been more dead on.

Thanks,
Denisse Mock