There’s Some Bite Behind Shark Horror No Way Up (2024)
Title: No Way Up
First Non-Festival Release: January 18, 2024 (Theatrical Release,)
Director: Claudio Fäh
Writer: Andy Mayson
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Starring: Colm Meaney, Sophie McIntosh, Will Attenborough
Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here
B-movies occupy a special place in the cinematic ecosystem. Wedged between the prestige, along with the wannabes, and the truly awful bargin bin tales littering any given Amazon Prime recommendation gallery, these movies have the heart to tell a goofy story with some style. No Way Up is the latest genre effort that tries to capture that magic with its simple, yet high concept sharks on a plane premise.
While flying to Hawaii, a plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean. Angled perfectly in the descent, the few remaining survivors are trapped in an air pocket far beneath the surface of the open waters. Determined to make it out alive, the group works to find solutions to their impossible situation. Unfortunately for them, the wreckage is being scavenged by a swarm of sharks.
A silly shark survival horror with a wacky premise, No Way Up is a serviceable thrill ride in the sea of garbage shark films.
Let’s acknowledge that No Way Up is essentially Snakes on a Plane with sharks, and that’s what makes it a fun, brainless experience to anyone seeking out escapism. Without the requisite comedy, No Way Up plays its inconceivable premise with a largely straight face, surprisingly to its benefit. Sure, it never shies away from the silliness of the situation but there’s a level of restraint used that keeps the film from veering directly into Syfy territory. Opting to keep the sharks out of view enough to maintain an element of mystery and suspense, No Way Up works to prove it is a cut above the typical fare.
No Way Up soaks up all the tension of the various dangers imperiling the few remaining survivors. With dwindling oxygen, a steady decline in the structural integrity of the plane, and curious sharks circling the wreckage, there is a sense of urgency that keeps the film tight and exciting. The shark sequences themselves aren’t terribly well-done but they do eke out a scare or two. The moments that make the audience hold their breath come more in the ways the water crushes the crew’s hopes for survival. All in all, there’s enough solid scenes to make the B-movie premise work.
Decent shark effects and simple set design propel the kooky shark movie to a more desirable B-movie level. Used sparingly, the sharks in No Way Up look real enough to interact with the environment. They aren’t quite good enough to say they are high quality, but fine enough for a film trying to sell popcorn thrills. The airplane itself looks real enough underwater, despite some goofy looking CG explosions during the crash sequence, so the film creates a good-looking single location time-bomb to serve as its character’s push to escape quickly.
Serviceable enough, the cast do their best to make the silliness come to life. It’s clear that everyone understands what movie they are in, and they approach the terror accordingly. Mostly comprised of stock characters without much going on for them individually, the cast do a fine job of reacting to the ever-worsening issues they are facing. That being said, there isn’t a standout performance or particularly compelling character to be seen here. Reduced to a few character traits, most of the characters go through the motions of forced conflict and fear before succumbing to their forecastable fates.
While it isn’t winning any awards or breaking any barriers, No Way Up manages to be a solidly entertaining journey to the bottom of the ocean. A dumb story, generic characters, and some iffy effects cannot stop the tidal wave of fun that is No Way Up. Solid attempts on tension and some great humor elevate the B-movie to be easily likable. Fans of such movies may find something to love in this goofy little gem. Otherwise, shark lovers may be left drifting in the ocean for another certifiably good modern shark horror film.
Overall Score? 6/10
