Sharkwater

I saw this film on an advanced screening, with the director present afterwards for Q&A. The movie has some simply amazing underwater visuals and from what the film maker said was his first attempt at underwater cinematography, and I really must commend him on it. There is great flow to the movie and its very effective in delivering its message. Whether or not you agree with the Sea Shepards Society's methods is secondary to the point of this film. I would highly recommend anyone to go see this film, mind you at times it does seem somewhat graphic but comparatively it's not that bad. While it is a documentary, it is never dry and the film maker's story makes the doc so much more compelling to watch. There are few films that can completely change your view on something, and this would count among them. It highlights sharks in a completely different light and has given me a new appreciation and admiration for them. I full encourage people to go out and see this movie! Note: as cleared up in previous statements, the facts are correct. Sharks are keystone species, and removal of them from the food chain could possibly reek havoc on the rest of the ecosystem, including organisms responsible for the air we breathe. As well, around 50 million sharks are harvested each year, each providing about a pound of shark fin which retails for $200, the math would properly equate into the trillions. I believe the previous commenter misheard or interpreted part of the film.

A great documentary film worth watching for its education value on the topic of the shark-finning industry alone. It goes a couple levels deeper than the usual documentaries you'll catch on discovery channel type shows which made the film quite captivating. Underwater scenes are well shot, although if all you want is some oceanic eyecandy go see 'Blue planet' instead. The real worth of the film comes from some of the undercover and handicam shooting of illegal sharkfin set ups, boat chases, etc...

Director Rob Stewart does a bit too much mugging for the camera which takes some focus away from the sharks, and the way he ends it left me scratching my head for a bit. But despite that, you can tell he is passionate about this topic. His narration and on-screen presence isn't all that hard-hitting, though some of the footage (the finning sequence especially) makes up for it.

Bottom line: As a shark lover, if I had my way I'd make everybody I know watch this movie. I've always felt it a shame that because sharks aren't cute and cuddly they've been left on the back burner of public conservation interest, and I hope it's movies like this that will start to change that.

Rob Stewart had made himself a great film.

It's a film that captures the grandeur, misinterpretation, and exploitation of not just sharks but all sea creatures in the oceans.

Among the film's breathtaking footage of kelp forests, massive bait balls, alien seahorses, and of course sharks, the films bearings focus on the absolutely disgusting, unethical, and immoral treatment of wildlife.

Stewart feels like he needs to legitimatize his film by explaining why the deaths of sharks will harm human beings, but really, he doesn't need to. The cruelty he films is more than reason enough to understand that something beyond greed is at work.

I would love to know if there are poachers that aren't just Asians and South Americans. I'm sure there are, but the amount these pathetic men over-fish the oceans is just truly unbelievable. They do nothing but kill.

I'm amazed how many Chinese, a large elitist and delusional lot of them, are so blind to what they're doing. Close-minded ignorance is a staple among many of the worlds fishing communities.

The film is very disturbing, especially for shark and animal enthusiasts, and at least warrants a PG-13 rating. There are numerous scenes of shark-finning and vicious, blank stare poaching of humpback whales to loggerhead turtles.

The film isn't perfect however. Stewart himself isn't that likable, and the film would have probably worked better if it followed someone else around. The soundtrack isn't very good either.

But the film isn't about Stewart, or at least not for me. It's about sharks and all the life under salt water that is being unfairly slaughtered.

you know, the scary thing is, living in Costa Rica, you can see blatant signs of deals between the Costa Rican Government and the Taiwanese..... Rob Stewart is a genius for bringing this to the attention of the public - something I have been fighting against for a while now. I have just come back from volunteering at Cocos Island, and it breaks my heart to see the long lines set up in supposedly protected waters. The message is out in Costa Rica that it is OK to fish here, and nothing will happen to you if you get caught.... we need more people like "Sea Shepherd", who care, and can see the devastation that this is causing....

The most beautiful film I've ever seen. I was so moved by the film that I had to retreat to the hall of the theater to regain my composure during the screening. The scenes are shockingly beautiful and also unbelievably disturbing at times and serve the greater purpose of the film. This new director has created a masterpiece, showcasing brilliant cinematography and a true-life adventure that even Hollywood couldn't conjure up. His movie will change the way the world looks at the oceans and, in particular, sharks. It's exciting to know that children will have the opportunity to become informed about the reality that sharks are being wiped out....this movie holds the promise that we can save the world from ourselves. The world has yet to see a film of this magnitude. Sharkwater will undoubtedly change the world. GO SEE THIS MOVIE!