MovieChat Forums > The Reef (2011) Discussion > Maybe if we thrash about more it will go...

Maybe if we thrash about more it will go away

posted 13 years ago by MyLittleHeartShapedBox
7 replies | jump to latest

I don't normally like to start a thread just to complain. The movie wasn't too bad, and I suppose I understand the decision to swim instead of stay with the boat, but they made some really stupid decisions after that.

Every time a shark came, they started screaming and thrashing all over. Now, I'm no shark expert here, but unless they smell blood, they would be attracted to the movement of your limbs and the splashing and bubbles in the water. They had enough flotation device between them to float and stop kicking entirely. But no, they might as well have just swam over to the damn shark and said 'eat me' Then the one guy going alone, two seconds after the shark dissapeared to go get the floating device, yeah, was losing those legs was worth that little floaty?

Anyway, that was really the only thing that made me talk to the screen and say 'are you stupid?!'

"I'm trying to see things from your point of view but I can't stick my head that far up my ass."

[–] kaybelle 13 years ago

Yes. I liked the movie but that part bothered me. They were thrashing and screaming and granted, it must be terrifying to be in that situation but don't make the shark think, "Hmm they look in distress and like they could be eaten. Let's go over there."

And I hate to say it but that guy was, bless his heart, not the brightest star in the sky. Who swims away while a great white, a GREAT WHITE, is in the area? They should have left that floaty thing with him since he wanted it so bad.

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son...

[–] Ferocious-Rabbit 13 years ago

Thank you! This is exactly why I came onto IMDB while watching this flick. In fact, I too said "are you stupid" as they all flopped around like wounded prey fish. For those on other threads who claim that not everyone acts like they watch Discovery channel when faced with a shark, the complete and utter hysterics of these people defies any logic.

I used to do a lot of surfing in my younger days and have actually been sitting on my board and seen a fin approach, natural instinct told me to stay still -- NOT go into an epileptic grand mal fit (btw -- it turned out to be a dolphin). And that's pre-cable, pre-Discovery channel. The histrionics of these characters is truly over the top and in many ways ruining the film for me. I was happy when one got chomped because it was less screaming to have to listen to.

[–] diverdwnn 13 years ago

First off, try to swim in the ocean with a big GW shark and not panic... good luck.

Second, if you just lay there shark may well think you dead and eat you anyway. The thrashing will attract a shark from distance, but once it knows you're there if its hungry it will eat you, if not, may leave you alone... trashing or not, not much evidence either way which is safer.

[–] L_Ron_HubbaHubba 13 years ago

Yeah, you're right, there's not much evidence whatsoever. There's never been a shark study done in the history of time. Nobody has ever thought to study the effect of making erratic movements near a shark, nor have any human/shark encounters ever been studied or recorded. And if concrete evidence did exist, you certainly could never find that evidence on a place called the internet.

Clearly the best thing to do is to thrash around and really get your heart rate going.

[–] suednim1960 11 years ago

I agree. The first and most oft-repeated tip I come across is that the worst thing you can do is thrash around, because you look like a fish in distress. Automatic target.

[–] Okeelani 11 years ago

That all sounds great....from the comfort of your living room. Try floating in the middle of the ocean with a great white shark swimming around underneath you. Try then to remain calm....to keep your adrenaline and heart rate from elevating. Try NOT to panic. Much easier said than done. Are you effing kidding me?

[–] Nonobstant26 11 years ago

In addition to staying still and since they had the floating things, maybe they could have folded their legs as much as possible so that a shark can't get a grip from them?
Of course it's easier said than done bc when you're in the situation for real you're panicking, but I was wondering if it was a thing that was advised to people who do scuba-diving?