When a great white shark is seen lurking nearby an oil rig in which maintenance divers are working to unblock clogged oil lines, a marine biologist tries desperately to warn the authorities before a fatal accident occurs. Naturally, such an encounter does occur, leading to an all-out offensive to kill the rogue predator which results in a harrowing night adrift in the sea for the marine biologist, and his macho companion after their less than seaworthy vessel is carelessly scuttled by a booze boat.
"Shark Kill" contains themes that bare great similarity in some respects to both "Jaws", and also the contemporary "Open Water" (the latter of which managed to develop the isolation theme of the central characters, to a degree that this film had the opportunity to do, but squandered). Disappointingly, it does neither justice as an imitation nor an influence, with such a rapid narrative, roughly hewn characterisations and transitory climax that could have been developed into a compelling and suspenseful highlight. As it is, the climax in which the two stricken adventurers are left to run a terrifying gauntlet in the isolated open water of night, while a 15-foot great white stalks in the darkness beneath, is a promising scenario, the treatment is all-too-brief and abruptly resolved.
Leads Richard Yniguez and Phillip Clark make an odd, but congenial couple, while David Huddleston's key supporting role as a shonky boat owner, commands a peculiar emphasis for such a short movie. Jennifer Warren's character (as Clark's love interest) is totally neglected, and eventually, just disappears without explanation. Nevertheless, the dialogue is competent and the performances agreeable if under-developed. Had the movie been afforded another twenty or so minutes of plot and character development (most of which reserved for the engaging climax), "Shark Kill" might not be the easily dismissed obscurity that it remains today.
Some promising aspects, but ultimately, at barely 72 minutes from head to tail, credits included, it's unique and suspenseful potential is somewhat wasted.
