Under Paris review: A shark tale so silly it’s fun

Under Paris review: The City of Lights turns city of sharks in Xavier Gens’ film that is now streaming on Netflix

A scene from Under Paris, a new shark movie on Netflix

Under Paris

Under Paris story: An apex predator adapts to freshwater and makes the river Seine in Paris her new home. Her arrival, along with her shiver, could not have at a worst time – Paris is set to host a triathlon and billions have been spent on preparations for the big event. Can the humans, including a scientist, an activist and the police, drive the herd back into the sea in time?

Under Paris movie review: The Pacific Ocean’s so full of garbage that marine life, more specifically, sharks, are in need of a new home. And a bunch of them have just figured out that evolution is key to their survival – adapt to freshwater and reproduce without the need of a mate. Leading this shiver of sharks is a mako called Lilith, who’s had her fair share of human snacks when she ate all but one of an expedition of scientists.

Lilith and her hungry pups set up camp in Paris’ Seine, days ahead of a much-publicized triathlon event, one leg of which involves competitors swimming in the river. Despite multiple warnings to call off/postpone the event until the sharks are led back into the sea or dealt with a heavy hand, the mayor doesn’t buckle, giving the predators much to chomp on. It’s a flimsy premise, but one that makes for an interesting watch if you are a sucker for shark movies and don’t question the impossible nature of the plot.

Under Paris is the kind of movie that can be considered fun, if you enjoy seeing monsters merrily feeding on people. It helps here that the film does not have interesting/memorable characters and most of those who get eaten by the sharks do not have more than a couple of minutes screen time, so you’re not invested in any of them.

Strangely enough, even the presence of Oscar nominee Berenice Bejo and Nassim Lyes on the cast doesn’t elevate the film. Under Paris spends a lot of its run-time with the humans arguing about the presence of a shark in the Seine and later, about how to deal with the situation at hand.

The big baddie Lilith gets little screentime and the background score she gets is not half as interesting as it was in Jaws. John Williams’ shark approach track was enough to send a shiver down one’s spine. Under Paris doesn’t have that and any comparison’s to the cult classic is, in my opinion, is an insult to the latter.

Under Paris movie verdict: Under Paris is like Jurassic Park, but with sharks. They’ve taken over Paris and we wouldn’t be surprised if Netflix greenlights a sequel. If you are hoping for human heroics, like Jason Statham in the Meg movies, this is not that. It’s not even great commentary about climate change, pollution, etc. If you have the stomach to watch the Seine turn red, don’t miss this one.

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