The Spur

Issue date: 10/20/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: www.movies.yahoo.com

Kara: The film begins with an incredibly violent and intense plane crash, followed by numerous, serene, coral reef shots from the beautiful landscape of the Bahamas, accompanied by none other than Paul Walker. My initial apprehension towards the film was momentarily "discontinued" and I began to enjoy the diving scenes that seemed to dominate the first twenty minutes. Though there was no serious fright level through the first half of the film, there was always the underlying tone that the movie would develop into quite a frightening flick, the sort that I am not particularly fond of. Furthermore, it is because of these underlying hints that my heart rate increased exponentially and my anxiety was at an all time high, despite the lack of any real terror.

Jason: There was an ominous atmosphere from the very beginning of the movie, enhanced by the obvious rivalry between two treasure hunters, a cocky best friend, and the occasional glimpse of a shark. Jared (Paul Walker) and Sam (Jessica Alba) are young lovers living out their dreams in the Caribbean, but Jared has always wanted to find something that they could use to build the rest of their lives with. The allure of finding treasure in the sensuous Caribbean captured my imagination. I liked Sam and Jared because they are both fairly good people, but was glad that they had foils, Bryce (Scott Caan) and Amanda (Ashley Scott). The foils were the main driving force in the story, because they are the cause of many of the predicaments in the movie.

K: I would agree that they were a driving force in the film, but their conniving and manipulative nature made it impossible to empathize with either Bryce or Amanda when any struggles and tribulations came across their paths. Frustration ensued as the plot continued and betrayal crept up, both in the friendships, the dating relationships and the business partners within the story line. This betrayal became a constant theme, despite the previews alluding to the danger of sharks being the main inhibitor of the treasure. However, any threat of fear was decimated when Sam informs the visiting friends that only one type of shark, the tiger shark, is even remotely dangerous. On a side note, way to go film producers on that blatant foreshadowing.

J: I am glad that they didn't make a movie completely centered on sharks terrorizing treasure hunters. The sharks were danger for the divers, but I think the movie focused more on the mysterious plot. The plot intensified as the movie went along, and I couldn't wait for the next scene. Even dialogues, which can be rather cheesy at times, were good because they were short and sweet.

K: Short and sweet like a comprehensive mid-term in a level 400 biochemistry course. The dialogue was ridiculous and could easily been summed up in a five minute conversation. I would have been more satisfied if Paul Walker had swam around in the coral reef without a shirt on for an hour and a half. Despite the lame drama, I was adequately frightened throughout the latter half of the film, so I shouldn't complain too much.

J: I think that the fights could have been less fantastic. I have seen enough explosions and senseless deaths in other movies to want to see it played out yet again in another movie. The end of the film was a bit too much for me. It was the most unrealistic and cheesy part for me..

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