Xue sha

Several years after a diving accident, a scientist joins a team that's genetically engineered a massive shark and is looking for help in securing funding to complete the research needed to control the shark, but when it gets loose and starts devouring the crew at the facility race to stop it from escaping.

Generally, this one is a fun cheesy genre effort. This comes about from the fine combination of elements present here in the story that allows for a dynamic entry. Featuring the immensely cheesy setup of the research team looking for help in completing their project of genetic engineering revolving around the hybrid Great White Shark in their control is the appropriately goofy and misguided approach common in the genre. The pseudo-scientific viewpoints expressed here in how the shark was bred to protect the species from extinction that's enabled it to get out of control with their eventual escape and overtaking the facility makes for a rather fun time. Combined with this, the idea of the setup serves to mix together the cheesy nature of the film by allowing the opportunity for a series of cheesy spectacle sequences to appear as the film goes along. That helps make for a generally fun time as this one hits a slew of expected beats capitalizing on the connection to its genre inspirations. That setup enables the film to come off quite well with the slew of cheesy action scenes promised. The opening shots of the crew hunting the shark in the middle of the ocean starts this off quite nicely, while the series of interactions with the other sharks at the facility offer a decent series of spectacle-filled sequences. The rampage through the facility, once the shark gets loose, is far too fun with the containment systems failing and allowing for the mechanical issues facing the group as they are complicated by the shark in the area to escape the facility. There's also the highly impressive finale that contains all manner of fun action as the team sets out to stop the shark and manages to elicit plenty of goofy underwater confrontations which bring about a thrilling, high-energy affair during this section. That these scenes are presented more in a serious matter than the activities presented adds a fine layer of cheese onto the presentation which gives everything a lot to like here. There are several big drawbacks to be had with the film. The biggest issue here is the highly unoriginal and cliche love story set up to reintroduce the main couple back together which is incredibly forced and underwhelming. The circumstances surrounding their meet-up are a total accident and make it seem to be a complete coincidence that serves more as a means of letting him reconnect with his brother. That becomes the main focus here rather than the romance as she has very little reason to pursue it beyond holding onto the card she lifted from him the day of the accident which just wholly cements the setup as flimsy as possible. Likewise, the other big issue here is the terrible CGI utilized for the majority of the special effects throughout here which is immensely obvious. The blotchy shark and goofy water effects intending to enhance the spectacle of the action presented are cheap and help paint the cheesy nature of what's going on just as much as the activities featured, which are what all hold this one down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

I've given higher scores to stupider movies, but this one had no redeeming quality whatsoever. Also, clearly no one will ever be able to achieve the magic of the super-smart shark like Deep Blue Sea did. But even with low expectations and a generous bias towards shark movies, I hated every single second of watching. There came a point (in the first 2 minutes when I couldn't justify not doing something with my time, in addition to watch (like cleaning, playing a video game, or catching up on work emails.)

There was not a single shot illuminated by natural light. The green-screen water/shark effects looked like they were partially filmed in a private pool. There is not a drop of water from any outdoor body of water throughout this movie. Even when people were "swimming" on screen it was visibly evident that they were not moving forward. I don't know why, but I expected MUCH better effects from a Chinese-made movie. Other godawful movies have the decency to include beautiful scenery. This was like punishment for the eyeballs, with every manufactured and artificial frame.

It is already hard enough to have believable acting with dubbed voices, but in this case, the visual part of the acting was also cheesy and off-putting.

The whole thing was abhorrent. Watch Great White or Shark Bait for a better version of this genre.

Honestly, I did not know whether I was watching Deep Blue Sea (1999) or Blood Bite (2020) , given its actually title on Tubi. Here's why.

Both have labs and sharks that are taken against their will and experimented on unnecessarily; verdict, Deep Blue Seas Shark's miles superior with its CGI and animatronics.

Both have sites that are flooded and teams that are hunted by the same majestic fish they experimented on.

Both have the big finish, admittedly different in contrast, with Deep Blue Sea's being much more effective.

There is just too many similarities.

I did enjoy the film however, despite what you may think from the comment. It got us to comment didn't it. It also got us to really appreciate Deep Blue Sea much more and the effort they put in, though Deep Blue Sea 2 not so much.

Still, it is worth the watch, even if the opening does feel more like a splash around in a swimming pool than an ocean.

After a white shark, is injected with a GMO medicine, it turns into a dangerous bloodthirsty mutant intent on killing them.

The actors and crew go under different names so it's difficult to name who is who in Xue sha's review. Many Asian sci-fi's have great special effects that put Hollywood to shame, however, Xue sha also known as Horror Shark and Blood Shark isn't one of them. Director Wang Liang offers an atmospheric but flawed film, let down mostly by the terrible CGI, lapses in logic and odd editing.

The main lead Lik-Sun Fong is dynamic enough. The corporate bad guy Wen Dongjun as Qin is notable. Tara Clance is out acted by the other female lead Zhou Weitong as Qi Huan. Wang Yueang is likeable. There's the stereotype scientist Shen Mengsheng copied from Deep Blue Sea. The underwater complex is realised pretty well and it works when borrowing the best from The MEG and Deep Blue Sea, even the performances are solid but there's no getting away from the awful CGI that takes you out of the moment.

Overall, with better effects it could have been an interesting hybrid of the aforementioned films.