‘Dangerous Animals’ Takes Shark Horror to New Level
Sean Byrne’s “Dangerous Animals” wastes no time setting up its diabolical premise.
We see a nice couple on vacation who are unlucky enough to meet a wily boat captain named Bruce Tucker (Jai Courtney). A few minutes into the privately chartered boat trip and the promise of allowing the couple to submerge in a cage and get really close to sharks, the trip takes a dark turn.
Tucker doesn’t just want these saucer-eyed tourists to see the sharks up close but wants to chum the water with them. After a few minutes of this and the title card appearing, we meet a new couple unfortunate enough to run into Tucker at exactly the wrong moment.
Presented at such an over-the-top pitch, it almost counters how savage it is. “Dangerous Animals” is completely ridiculous, but the approach to the story, as comparably inelegant as this is, actually mimics the structure of “The Vanishing” (1988).
Of course, whereas “The Vanishing” is a model of restraint and unbearable suspense, “Dangerous Animals” dares its audience not to look away while victims are devoured alive.
For anyone who thought “Wolf Creek” (2005) was too subtle and needed sharks, here’s your movie.
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The two leads give star-making performances – I wouldn’t be surprised if Hassie Harrison and Josh Heuston became name actors in a few years. That’s how good they are here.
I liked the characters, cared whether they would survive (unlike the teens of most horror films) and found the actors to have real movie-star charisma.
Courtney’s performance is really something. After not registering in “Die Hard” and “Terminator” sequels, his Bruce Tucker (yes, the first name is a “Jaws” reference) alternates between being a funny and hideous alpha male parody.
If this movie gives Courtney’s acting career a needed redirect and more interesting character roles like this, then we’re in for a treat.
Byrne fashions this in an antsy manner that often matches Courtney’s performance, which almost but not quite distracts from how repetitive the story is.
Towards the end, Tucker resembles Jack Torrance from “The Shining” (1980), but minus any depth or perspective. The lack of a backstory actually becomes a problem in the late going, as Tucker’s crimes are so bizarre and elaborate, that they seriously deserve an explanation, which is never given.
Why?
I’m unsure if it was wise to never provide a case history for the villain and avoid diagnosing his madness, as his modus operandi is so silly and parody ready.
As good as these actors are and as skillfully as Byrne tells this tale, it was never enough to make me believe any of this is possible.
In this age of surveillance and abnormal activity being filmed and constantly uploaded online, it seems implausible, if not impossible, for our killer to be getting away with his demonstrative, elaborate and out-in-the-open crimes.
If this was set in the late 20th century, I’d believe that Tucker could be so brazenly careless and look-at-me crazy out in the open with his sick intentions, but this takes place in a world with cell phones.
There’s just no way any of this is possible.
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I’d believe the most outsized trap constructed by Jigsaw, but Tucker’s operation is too obviously sketchy. Once we realize how many times he’s committed his crimes, it’s another moment where I couldn’t buy where the story wanted to take me.
Also, wouldn’t the lack of good Yelp reviews keep tourists away?
“Jaws” (1975) is the definitive shark thriller, and “Deep Blue Sea” (1999) deserves its steady cult following. Yet, as far as low-budget shark tales go, “Open Water” (2004) is still king.
If there’s any point to this, it’s simply this: don’t go near sharks. You know what, “Dangerous Animals”? Done.
Two and a Half Stars (out of four)
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