12 Feet Deep

1 glass of wine in and I decided to give this one a go. Before I go any further I have to admit that I suffer from a fear of underwater drains. Anything man made underwater actually.. drains, lights, windows.. they all give me the heebie jeebie's. I have been this way as long as I can remember and I can no longer swim in pools. Google it, it isn't just me.

I'm not sure why this movie is getting so much hate. I totally enjoyed it. For a movie that had to be carried by only 2 actors and had only one setting it was done really well. It was also a very original idea and that is always something that I am looking for. The acting was great and I thought that the characters acted exactly as they should.

I read all of the reviews before watching and I don't agree with any of them. This isn't the most awesome thing this year and it isn't the worst. If you are looking for a big budget, action packed movie this isn't for you. If you want a slow burn thriller then give it a go.

There are thousands of votes averaging currently at 8, so I'm going to assume some may have mistaken this for "47 Meters Down", because it doesn't quite pack the same punch. That doesn't make it not worth watching though.

Inspired by true events, two sisters become trapped under the fiberglass cover of an Olympic sized public pool during a rushed closing for the holidays. The movie takes place completely in and around the pool area but it's engaging throughout.

What we have here is a pretty original idea for a Drama/Thriller but the script and logic is on the simpler side. With only a few minor changes, you'd have a great movie here for what it is.

Note: Jigsaw from the Saw series plays a small but entertaining role.

On the surface the movie has a simple plot. Two young women, sisters, are trapped inside of a pool, unable to leave while a thick fiberglass cover was put in place. However, the distressing situation turns heated when the two begin discussing their unresolved issues. Skeletons come out of the closet, teeth are bared, and hatchets are dug up for review! Before long though their predicament turns dire and a rogue third element is introduced which puts their love for each other to a test.

This is the epitome of a character driven story. It proves you don't need to have a large cast, expensive effects, or a heavy use of CGI to have a compelling story told. I found it to be wonderfully entertaining and well acted. I did lose a little interest about midway through, but this was likely because I had a hard time relating to any of the main characters, but towards the end I was firmly entrenched in seeing to their welfare.

Excellent job!

Suspend your disbelief a bit here, but what movie doesn't require it? It is basically 127 Hours or Open Water in a swimming pool.

Two sisters visit a public pool the eve before a long holiday weekend. One loses her engagement ring in the pool so both swim down for it. Unaware the sisters are still under the water, Tobin Bell closes the fiberglass covering, trapping the sisters underneath.

Unlike most trapped movies, this is differently NOT a horror movie. Or a horror-thriller. In the end, this film is a drama about the demons three women face over the course of 12 hours.

If this film has a big issue it's that we aren't given a sense of a ticking clock. We are not made aware what time they get trapped, or how long they have been under the covering as time goes on.

Above I said the film takes place over the course of 12 hours, but that is a guess, there is no way of knowing. Other than it's still night when the end comes (I think, there are no windows).

What a trapped-thriller NEEDS is a ticking clock.

We need to know how long the trapped have been in this situation. We need to know how long it will be before we can expect rescue. The film only states the pool will be closed for the holiday weekend, which basically means long enough for them to die. Not good enough.

That small - but major - issue aside, this is a tight thriller.

Well-made and slick at every turn. The leads are likable enough and the actresses give them simple human touches that many might overlook.

The film's villain is the best part but I won't spoil who that is here. Wish there had been more with the villain.

The final scenes leave a bit to be desired as the film opts for the opposite direction of most trapped-thrillers. I'm going to leave that vague, but the film ends with a Pixar whimper, instead of a Blum house bang.

And we all know which one of those studio's movies we prefer.

So is the ending bad? Not by any means. It's just not what this guy expected. But that's sometimes a welcome change of pace. As a guy that can count out every beat of every movie as I'm watching it, this flick surprised me with its ending.

And that's something.

I dont know why everyone is giving this such a bad rating. For what it is, a low budget film. It holds its own with Frozen, Buried and the like and i actually enjoyed it. Sure its average acting etc, but i couldnt take my eyes off the screen. If you like Frozen, Deep Blue Sea, etc give it a go.