We all have our fears about what the future holds with the imminent dangers of Global Warming, hence the possibility of a Shark Attack combined with a Tornado is highly plausible. I mean, it happened in made-for-Television Disaster Flick, Sharknado, where we watch in horror as sharks fall from the sky, spurting out from all directions, attacking innocent people in a flooded Los Angeles. It could totally happen. Like, really. And it breaks my heart that this is a reality we could face in Toronto one day if we don’t take a stance and become more conscious as Citizens of the Earth.
At the heart of Sharknado is the universal theme of reconciliation and who can’t relate to that? Ironically-named Surfer/Bar Owner Fin (Ian Ziering) and his two Friends Baz (Jaason Simmons) and Nova (Cassie Scerbo) amidst the Disaster, set-out to save his Ex-Wife April (Tara Reid) and their Daughter Claudia (Aubry Peeples). Of course, April bears a hardened heart after a failed marriage to Fin, initially refusing his help. Along the way, they reunite with their Son Matt (Chuck Hittinger).
As these vicious Killer Sharks have Los Angeles under siege, time is precious and together they unite, left to their own devices and whatever resources they have available including chainsaws, guns and bombs, in an all-out drive to save Hollywood… and the World. There is nothing like a heartwarming Story about everyday Americans overcoming the odds and a Family brought together in times of Crisis. Sharknado is no exception. It is a Tragedy, it is a Romance, it is Drama, it is Family-Adventure. Basically, it is everything.
Ziering more than ably steps to the challenge as a Leading Man in what has been a drastically underrated Career, charming Audiences with a self-aware charisma. We wonder whether Scerbo ever will be able to accomplish a greater feat in her promising Career, delivering strength and the essence of mystery in her performance as Nova. Hittinger is utterly convincing as he empathizes with Scerbo in one of the Film’s most emotionally-poignant moments where she reveals to him the true reason why she hates sharks. Her revelation is a bloody outrage and anyone who isn’t affected absolutely is heartless. Powerful. And Tara Reid. Why is she not featured more prominently? Her perpetual state of dissatisfaction here not only is soothing to the senses, but calming like a mantra. There is not enough Tara Reid, generally.
Director Anthony C. Ferrante has struck something magical in Sharknado, tapping into our most primal fears, while taking us on a riveting, cathartic journey. Visually scintillating and hauntingly real, it always is a pleasure to see Films which push cinematic boundaries. A major Contender this Awards Season.
Video Services Corp. releases Sharknado on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Pre-order here.
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