I might take up swimming after viewing The Shallows. What’s the worst that could happen? A shark attack? Well, that’s the situation facing med student Nancy, played by Blake Lively.

A sentimental journey to the beach visited by her pregnant mother gives Nancy more than she bargained for. Although she can swim that provides little comfort when big white smiley appears. The shark destroys her surfboard and even chomps down on the nearest available help. When the sea turns red, she’s glad to have something solid between her and those teeth. So she rests on a nearby reef as the dangerous creature slowly circles.

Kudos to director Jaume Collet-Serra for his smart direction. For instance, one death scene plays mostly off the reaction of his lead actress. I’d say the B movie extremes behind Renny Harlin’s Deep Blue Sea are long gone.

Technically, editor Joel Negron offers an intense display of his talents. This is editing with teeth. Also, clever spotting by composer Marco Beltrami allows the excitement to build. It’s difficult trying to match John Williams’ Jaws. Therefore, Beltrami adopts a style more conducive to the narrative than any type of homage. On that note, The Shallows deserves a poem:

Vacation to mother’s special place.

A nostalgic journey just in case.

Because the beach takes her fancy,

there’s much sightseeing for Nancy.

Injured and stuck on a reef

as the shark searches for extra beef.

All help appears fruitless.

Bravery ending up in a mess.

Some company in Steven Seagull.

Yet high tide means no time to lull.

A story with only two dead spots

overcoming junkyard thriller rots.

Blake Lively a confident choice

to play a woman with the strongest voice.

Did The Shallows work for me? You bet.

Even though the Academy might forget.

Marco Beltrami’s best score in many a moon

The rhythms and orchestra set to swoon.

Wonderful camerawork from Flavio Martinez Labiano.

Generous scares he is prone to show.

More compelling matter surrounding the buoy.

Such secrets are safe with me, I’m sorry.

The Shallows nodding to more recent fare

No sign of “da-doom,” so beware!

Although Jaws gave this genre credence

Few pictures pay obedience.

That’s where The Shallows proves different --

setting us on a course entirely competent.

It’s better than Shark Night I’ll wager.

Little need to respond to that pager.

Put it down to a fresh spark

of inspiration minus the lark.

My poem can only tell you so much.

Safe to say this film offers no crutch.

The story takes priority.

The power of one over the majority.

The Blu-Ray I cannot wait to buy

as seconds and thirds comply.

The Shallows might even take

the top of the cinematic cake.

(Released by Columbia Pictures and rated "PG-13" for bloody images, intense sequences of peril, and brief strong language.)