Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens

'SHARKNADO 4: THE 4TH AWAKENS': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The fourth installment in the popular Syfy network television film series (which began in 2013). This chapter was once again directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, and Thunder Levin once again wrote the screenplay (the duo performed the same duties on all three previous movies). Actors Ian Ziering and Tara Reid also reprise their starring roles (for the fourth time as well). Other returning cast members (from at least the previous installment) include David Hasselhoff and Ryan Newman; they're joined by newcomers Tommy Davidson, Gary Busey, Masiela Lusha, Cody Linley and Cheryl Tiegs. Cameos (this time around) include Stacey Dash, David Faustino, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Gilbert Gottfried, Steve Guttenberg, Lloyd Kaufman, Vince Neil, Wayne Newton and Al Roker (for his third time). The film has it's moments, but it's not as funny (or as cleverly bad) as the previous three installments.

The story takes place five years after the events of the third film; and there hasn't been a 'sharknado' in all of that time. Thanks to technical genius Aston Reynolds (Davidson), and his company's atmosphere stabilizers. Fin (Ziering) has been enjoying the peace and quiet, and he's now traveling to Las Vegas; for a family reunion. Unfortunately, he soon learns, that his break, from the sharknado action, is now over.

All of the 'SHARKNADO' films are laughably bad, which makes them also somewhat enjoyable. In my opinion the series reached it's peak in 2014 (with the first sequel). Now I think it's definitely running out of steam. This chapter is still mildly enjoyable, and it's also not really any worse than the other three chapters (how could it be). Fans of the series will probably still enjoy it.

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What started out as a super cheesy movie with the first installment, just gradually went faster and faster downhill with each new movie added to the franchise. And this 4th movie sure is the icing on the cake so far - I bet it will be even worse if they continue to make these movies.

"Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens" is now at the point where it stopped being fun, and it was actually somewhat of an embarrassment to witness. The previous movies had fun moments, especially because they were so over the top and so amazingly fake. But by now, it is just a re-run of previously used material, and it is wearing dangerously thin.

The story is essentially the same as in the previous three movies, so nothing much for innovation here. Don't get your hopes up.

The acting in "Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens" was as to be expected, and if you have seen any of the previous three movies, then you know exactly what you are in for, especially since none of the people on the cast list has been particularly improving their acting talents.

The effects, well, let's just say that they were also as to be expected. Cheesy and often hilariously fake special effects. But then again, isn't that what the "Sharknado" movies are sort of pseudo famous for? But "Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens" introduces a whole array of new terrible things, such a lightningnado, stonenado, firenado, and so on. Again, taking things too far out, to the point of embarrassment.

One thing that was working in favor for the movie was the subtle and blunt references to other movies. And if you are a movie fanatic, then you will find a lot of references throughout the course of "Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens".

However, "Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens" was the least entertaining of the current four movies in the franchise. And as such, then my verdict is that this movie scores a meager three out of ten stars.

As most of the readers of my reviews might have noticed, I am a guy with very mixed taste. Not only I watch theater releases and must-see movies but I also watch obscure movies that nobody would ever seek, movies that were popular for a while and then fell into oblivion, and very awful movies. I have a confession: despite my huge knowledge in bad movies I have never seen the previous SHARKNADO entries but watched this one in particular for completing the movies of a particular cast member. Now I can go to the review.

When the movie begins we are told that the Sharknado phenomenon has been stopped by an invention of the Astro-X that also managed to resurrect Colonel Shepard (David Hasseloff). His son Fin travels to Las Vegas for meeting the nephew when suddenly a tornado destroys a shark aquarium and causes a new sharknado that kills various Vegas people, and they gradually become bouldernados (made of boulders), oilnado (made of oil), a firenado (made of flames), a cownado (made of cows), a lightningado (made of lightings) and a nuclearnado after hitting a nuclear plant. April Wexler (Tara Reid), who was transformed in some sort of cyborg thanks to her dad (Gary Busey), goes with Colonel Shepard and the gang for stopping all the nados and freeing the people swallowed by sharks after they are all swallowed by a whale.

The plot, as crazy as might sound, was funny in some points and it didn't made me cringe for the fact that I was watching it. The acting was at times bland (especially by Reid and Steve Guttenberg) and at times ok (by Carrot Top, David Hasseloff, Gary Busey and the late Gilbert Gottfried). The CGI was decent, and the sharks especially were very adorable to look at (except when at the end they are cut open). What was annoying was the dialogue because at times it didn't even make sense, neither some of the actions of the characters.

So it's bad but not that much because it can actually entertain. Perfect watching for killing one and a half hour or for having some laugh at the ineptness of it.

FYI... 4 of the cast members of this (Tara Reid, Bo Derek, Carrot Top and Gary Busey) put me likes on my comments on their posts on Instagram since November 2022. Perhaps they read my review and thought I liked it just for them, who knows?

Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens seemingly had a different tone and atmosphere than the previous films of the series. And the reason for the backlash and criticism is that it is quite different. It isn't as good as the others but it's different in various ways and the writers and team should be applauded for trying something quite different. It's not great but still watchable.

This film felt less like a shark horror comedy and more like an action and superhero film. Enjoyed that this film takes place 5 years after the events of the third film where Tara Reid suffered serious injuries, and although they somewhat remade Tara Reid into a sort of terminator/superhero figure, it was over the top but different.

It moves at a quicker pace yet does feel a little rushed. It is more ridiculous with the inclusions of different type of tornadoes they have merged (we hear "Firenado, Lightningnado, Sandnado"). It is over the top, silly but we come to expect it by now. Overall it really is not that enjoyable, funny or fresh as the previous three but there is still some charm.

As a rewatch 04/30/23' opinions remain same. Some solid moments but overall not very enjoyable.

Just like we'd come to expect from the series, SHARKNADO 4: THE 4TH AWAKENS is campy B-movie-esque fun. A ton of crappy CGI, tacky one-liners and over-the-top acting.

Watch it only after you've seen the other three installments, and only if you liked those. This one definitely caters for fans. No time is spent whatsoever introducing any of the characters—everything is taken for granted.

If you do like the series, you're up for all kinds of -nados this time, bouldernados, sandnados ... lots of deliberate play with its own themes, infused with self-aware irony. I enjoyed watching this, although as far as B-movies go, I don't like the fact that they're now making a "B-movie" for the sake of making B-movie... while also catering to a mainstream audience. Some of the genuineness of true B-movies is definitely lost.