Product ReviewsOpen Water (DVD, 2004)

What Out!! Ohh Scary

Blair Witch meets Jaws. There's your sales pitch.

Open Water is another of those little independent phenomenon’s that people will either love or hate. Lately, we've had a lot of them - and that, by the way, is a good thing. It speaks to the fact that many people are getting tired of the Hollywood machine and looking toward the more creative side of story and directing.

In 1992, we had Pulp Fiction, a few years ago we had The Blair Witch Project, and earlier this year we got Napoleon Dynamite, all of which polarized audiences into a love it or hate it attitude. Now, we get Open Water, which while not as good as the above mentioned movies, has managed to garner the same reaction.

A busy couple go on vacation to a beach somewhere, have a good time, and decide to go scuba diving. Due to a "head count" mishap on the boat, the couple gets stranded in the water without anyone really noticing they are gone. No, not even the scuba squad, now missing two very expensive air tanks and have two extra bags just hanging around on their boat. But nevermind all that. The couple, surprisingly, takes all this in stride in the beginning - figuring they will be picked up in no time when those on the boat realize they've forgotten them. Unfortunately for our couple, they are such unnoticeable people - nobody does. The current begins to take the couple further out to sea, where the sharks are just waiting for some human chum.

My main issue with the movie, aside from a few moments of flawed logic, comes from the use of digital video. The entire movie is shot with it, likely to give it a more realistic feel, since this is very loosely based on real events. Now, while I believe this technique worked with the horror mocumentary of "Blair Witch," it is just plain distracting in this film until the actors get into the water. This is a movie - never is it ever portrayed as a "documentary" type film. So, in the beginning moments, it makes it look so cheap that it becomes noticeable in the opening moments.

However, once the tension begins to build as the two float in the water, you begin to notice it less and less. The acting is well done for two unknowns. And, yes, this is a gimmick movie. But at only 79 minutes, the gimmick lasts just long enough so it doesn't over stay it's welcome. And the ending will stay with you.

On the DVD, you get a crew commentary and a cast commentary, which, with the way this was filmed, should be interesting. You also get two little featurettes on the indie essentials on marketing a movie and a making of - both of which are ho-hum. Still, this film does deserve a look if you're into seeing someone take a chance and try to be creative.Read full review...

Dont get off the Boat !!

I purchased this Film for my Daughter.
I had seen it when it was first released to DVD..

She and her new Husband like to Snorkle,etc - so it was my Motherly duty to try and do something to keep my Daughter from continuing to make herself a warm snack for any Sharks that might be around !

I am no fan of Water - so if it worked......... ( :

The Movie itself is "ok" -there is nothing high quality about it and may bore those looking for the high stress and excitement of "JAWS".

It is frighening but on a very real basis -so patience with this one is a good thing.
Other than the obvious - this Movie also portrays Humans at their most - well, stupidest..

You should never put to much faith in anyone - i.e.; mainly the People running the Dive.

I could go on and on about this.. Just watch it, you will enjoy?? it.Read full review...

Open Water

The family watched Open Water tonight for the first time...to describe it as an emotional experience would be a huge understatement. Personally, I feel that Kentis did an excellent job with this movie. Low budget does not necessarily mean bad movie..as a matter of fact..I feel the way this was filmed made it all the more realistic. Kentis makes you feel like you are right in the water with the couple..hungry, thirsty, cold, injured and helpless to the elements. The camera angles across the top of the water give a haunting view of the vast ocean completely surrounding the two actors (they did a wonderful job.) You could see what they saw and it was frightening to the bone. As horrifying as the movie depicts the situation, you still know that the real life experience had to be ten fold worse on every count. The fact that it was based on true events gives the viewer chills to see how easily lives can be thrown into such helpless chaos at the absolute stupidity and recklessness of the "professional" crew and fellow divers. The male diver, in a rather pitiful realization of their dilemma goes from rage at the crew to anger at himself for actually paying for this horror of a trip. It is beyond belief that a head count was not done before the boat leaves for shore and that the remainder of the divers were so totally unaware of part of their fellow passengers missing. One responsible or observant soul on that boat could have easily prevented this horror. At one point I felt sick to my stomach..at another time tears were streaming down my face and it felt like my throat was closing up a few times. To me, this was more frightening than Jaws..more real..more lonely and even more terrifying. The sharks and so many of them were circling around and under the divers...there was no where for couple to go. They were two tiny spots on the ocean...not visible to any plane or boat passing through...so like fish out of water in reverse. I will never forget this movie nor my reactions to it. WOW!!!!!!!!!Read full review...

Good - For An Independant Movie

You have to take open water at what it is. This isn't some mega-budget movie. It is basic movie making, on a limited budget. Taking that into account, it's very good. Based on a true story, this film has sex, relationships, and of course, suspense and horror. The film definetly gets better as it goes along. Some may not like the ending, but the story mirrors the actual events, as we would assume they happend. Just like "The Perfect Storm", we can only assume what actually happened that day, but I think it's pretty believeable.
You also have to give some credit to the actors, who spent hours in the scourcing sun, in the water, for limited pay.. and did a good job at it!

Worth seeing, but don't expect a big budget movie!Read full review...

Open Water (2004, DVD)

Based on an actual event, Open Water tells the story of a young couple, Daniel and Susan, (Daniel Travis and Blanchard Ryan), who go to the Bahamas to scuba dive the coral reef, and are accidentally left behind in the ocean. The couple boards a tour boat that is crowded with divers; after the first dive of the day, the captain makes a mistake on the numbers of divers who have surfaced from the dive and are aboard. When the number reaches 20, the boat leaves the area and goes to the next site. Daniel and Susan did not stay with the group underwater, but they were supposed to be back within 35 minutes. They were 5 minutes late and the boat left without them. Susan blames Daniel for being left behind, and their ordeal goes down the drain from there. After several hours, sharks begin to circle them. They begin to realize that their workaholic life is not important anymore. Only if they had a second chance, they would change.

Excelent movie would I go scuba diving NOOOOOOO WAYYYYYYYYYYY LoL....
But a must to own I enjoyed the movie.....
{Mrs puman}Read full review...

Make friends...be a pest...be memorable.

I was there stranded in the water with Daniel and Susan while remaining safely in my recliner at home. What a masterpiece of a movie. When I initially heard of this actually happening I discounted this premise. Then After watching this movie, I soberly realized how easy this could happen. If I ever SCUBA dive on a crowded charter boat, I will bring cake, cupcakes, candy and streamers so I make myself memorable and hopefully the boat will not leave without me. Such a sad and heart-breaking story. RIP to the couple left to parrish in Open Water. A definite viewing recommended.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: unbroken8

Good, Not Great

The idea of the movie is great and it's suspenseful and entertaining...for awhile. However, it got too long, and frankly, a bit boring. The ending is surprising, so I won't mention it here for those who haven't seen it yet. I would still recommend it to someone else to watch, and watch it myself once in awhile. All in all, I'd say it's "good," not great, and give it a '3"/Average rating.Read full review...

Be careful

I loved this movie. I went on a cruise and had seen this before going. While it didn't panic me to my up coming trip, it made me at least aware that you pay strict attention to who you are with and where you are and just how easy you can be left behind and no one even notice. I think its a good idea for anyone planning a trip anywhere to make sure you are at least friendly to a few in what ever group you are in so that someone can notice you are missing. While they never really know what happened to this couple once they went missing, I think they depicted what could have happened really well. Its so sad but happens more than we realize! Check it out.Read full review...

don't bother

i find myself asking why this movie was even a thought in someone's head. i understand that it was low-budget, but it was also low-fun. i've seen better movies made from even lower-budgests.
the basic idea was good, but it lacked, um....everything. it's about a couple who take a rushed vacation and end up scubba diving. there is a miscount on the boat that they are on, and they are stranded at sea. the rest of the movie is about how the couple float around in the ocean with sharks circling them. will they live or die?
the movie lacks events. you only see a shark face once and a few shots of it's fins. the movie would be a lot better if something other than floating would happen.Read full review...

Open water

Difficult to believe this was a true story- what a tragedy .

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: whitelaptop