Into the Deep ★★

APPARENTLY Into the Deep is the first shark film that Richard Dreyfuss has appeared in since Jaws in 1975.

Why he chose after 50 years to appear in such a lacklustre effort is unclear.

It may be due to the fact they let him make an extended speech urging shark conservation straight to camera while the film’s end credits are rolling.

Dreyfuss’ role in the film is actually more of a hindrance than a benefit because his scenes of maudlin discussions with his daughter detract from the main story which is already hampered by average effects and highly variable acting standards.

Best of the cast is Scout Taylor-Compton in the lead role of a marine biologist haunted by her father’s death by a shark, which we see in the prologue.

On the anniversary of his death, she embarks on a diving expedition with her new husband and other friends off the coast of Madagascar.

But the trip takes a dangerous turn when a group of drug runners seize their boat and force the experienced divers to retrieve their contraband laying on the ocean floor.

It’s no better or worse than a dozen other recent B-grade shark movies but at least there is the added threat of potential killers above and below the water.

Counter to Dreyfuss’ views expressed over the end credits, the film itself does nothing to alleviate audiences of the thinking that sharks are vicious maneaters and should be avoided at all costs.

Watched on Apple TV.