Shark movies are hit and miss. For every Jaws or The Shallows, there is unwatchable garbage like Sharknado (I know they made a few, but people are stupid) or Megalodon Rising. ( A big pile of chum I suffered through 20 minutes of this weekend). There are also plenty in-between. Well I am happy to say that GREAT WHITE belongs to the former list. A solid shark thriller that does a lot with the limited premise that most shark movies provide simply by their nature.

Kaz (Katrina Bowden) and Charlie (Aaron Jakubenko) are a couple running a scenic air charter service. Day trips to scenic locals are their bread and butter but things have been rough as of late. When the couple books an 11th hour tour they are elated. It’s what they need right now and Kaz is also keep a secret because of the financial troubles.

Enter Benny (Te Kohe Tuhaka), the couples cook and extra pair of hands, as well as the clients, Joji (Tim Kano) and Michelle (Kimie Tsukakoshi). Benny takes an instant liking to Michelle so Joji (who is less than warm, takes an instant disliking to him.

They set off on their journey to a small island where Michelle has some personnel family history. What they find is a dead body, half eaten. This causes panic and they leave the island. However. they come across the boat near by and Charlie sets down to investigate. Well, a plane on the water means one thing. A shark is going to attack. Which it soon does.

With the plane sinking, the group set out on a raft in the open sea. And we learn that the troubles are really just beginning. Yes, there is a shark out there, but also evil lurks within the group.

GREAT WHITE is directed by Martin Wilson, who does a great job with challenging conditions in his first feature. Nice camera work and a couple of surprises make this feature worth wild. The complaints I have read are “It isn’t Jaws” and “Everyone is so pretty” Well I’ll address that. NO shark movie will ever be JAWS. Hell, JAWS 2 isn’t even JAWS. Enjoy this film for what it is, not for what you want it to be. And to address the second common complaint, no body is overly pretty. This doesn’t look like a “skinamax” film. So I don’t know where that comes from. And let’s be honest. We don’t watch movies for ugly people. We can go outside and see that…for free!

I highly recommend this film. The action is solid, the character development works and there are a couple of moments that I truly didn’t see coming. See this film. You’ll be glad you did!