This year’s round of March Morts nearly killed me. I mean, seriously, I’ve been made privy to some incredibly bad movies. That’s why closing out the month with this film is actually a bit of a surprise as it’s actually enjoyable. Oh Sharktopus, we need you more often in our life.
If the concept of a movie about a shark-octopus hybrid doesn’t make you smile, then may I respectfully suggest you get your head examined. Sharktopus is the stuff of B-movie heaven, this despite it originating as a SyFy channel product. GASP! It helps that yes, I have taken a look at it at an earlier time, but this look will be a little more in-depth.Sharktopus is about a half-shark, half-octopus hybrid causing problems during Spring Break in Mexico. Now this isn’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill hybrid, this is a government created killing machine. A group of scientists, led by Eric Roberts, engineered the Sharktopus to assist the government in hunting down drug-runners and other stealthy, aquatic-based pest to national security. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the Sharktopus escapes after a speedboat hits the Sharktopus and damages it’s control system. From there, the Sharktopus’ horny teenager sixth-sense kicks in and it heads south to Spring Break, where hilarity ensues.
As I said before, the acting is not good at all. Despite that, it still works, in some horrible B-movie kind of way. Looking back, the CGI’s actually not too bad … for a SyFy Channel movie. Quite a qualifier, I know. The special effects are actually pretty admirable. Blood splatters on the camera, in an admittedly unsuccessful attempt to replicate 3D on a budget, and the Sharktopus itself is … entertaining to look at in concept. Some of the kills are quite imaginative, too, with a very amusing bungee death standing out.
Is Sharktopus a good film? Not really, no. Is it a fun film? Absolutely, and for that reason alone, it’s worth a look. And if you’re still not sure, you really need to read that title back again. Sharktopus. A shark crossed with an octopus. What more do you want?