DANGEROUS ANIMALS
Starring: Hassie Harrison, Jai Courtney, Josh Hueston, and Ella Newton
Director: Sean Byrne
NICK
Although the tone is different, Dangerous Animals has a lot of the same problems as The Meg. Both feature enigmatic leads (Jason Statham in the former and Jai Courtney here) but not near enough shark content. In fact, you could remove sharks from this film entirely and it would still work. Courtney provides some of his best work (no coincidence that it’s in his native accent) as he channels his inner Nicolas Cage, and Hassie Harrison does well in the lead role; however, the film surrounding them is plagued by rough effects and a cliché story. Fun moments, but not enough to sink your teeth into.
ROBERT
With it being the 50th anniversary of Jaws, it is appropriate timing for another summer killer shark movie. In this instance, with Dangerous Animals, the rub is that a psychotic water tour guide is feeding people to the killer sharks, and I emphasize the word “psychotic.” Everything working around the murderer is adequate, but the brilliance is in Jai Courtney’s performance as Tucker. He is like a new-age Buffalo Bill mixed with Captain Boomerang, and it just propels everything forward to make the movie entertaining and chilling, at least for the most part. Courtney needs five more of these in his natural Australian accent.
KATIE
Dangerous Animals is a decent B-movie, elevated by Jai Courtney’s incredible performance as a charming yet threatening shark-obsessed serial killer. When Courtney is on screen, he shines, and Hassie Harrison’s performance as the “final girl” matches his unwavering energy. However, the movie is slightly overlong and has too many fake-outs, which become slightly tedious, especially when they continuously push the limits of what's believable. Plus, the relationship between Zephyr (Harrison) and Moses (Josh Heuston) is so thinly conceived that it barely makes sense. It’s entertaining enough, and has great performances, but it loses its intrigue quite quickly.
QUENTIN
Outside of the reasonably unique premise and, of course, sharks, Dangerous Animals is kind of a B-movie dud. Billed as a survival horror thriller, it's surprisingly light on scares and thrills. There isn’t a ton of tension or shark carnage either, for that matter. So, why the passable rating? A menacingly deranged performance from Jai Courtney, that's why. He is oddly magnetic for reasons I can’t even describe, and you simply can't look away whenever he’s on screen. He, alone, covers for all the things the movie is lacking overall. I hope directors and producers take notice, leading to more roles for the underrated actor.
