Debating the merits of Piranha 3D, director Alexandre (Mirrors) Aja's testosterone-driven valentine to Joe Dante's 1978 original and the excesses of '80s genre films in general, is a fool's errand; it is, after all, a movi... more »e about prehistoric fish preying on hormonal partygoers in various states of undress--and in 3D, mind you--so any review must answer the question--does it deliver what its key audience (young men, ages 14 to 24) require? On that front, the answer is an unequivocal yes. Special effects creators Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger present a veritable buffet of gruesome ways for the thinly drawn characters to die, from a piranha burrowing through a swimmer's head to the horrible encounter between a boat propeller and a longhaired victim. The sheer amount of nudity on display rivals a week's worth of Cinemax late-night screenings, rendered all the more excessive in 3D; as for the gimmick itself, it lends some unsettling depth to the underwater attacks. In short, if one attends Piranha 3D for grindhouse-style yucks, it's bound to be a rollicking good time. All others may find its relentless, Red Bull drive wearying; the whole affair is clearly meant to be a goof, just as Dante's original (produced by Roger Corman and penned by John Sayles) was, but where Dante's target was monster movie camp of the '50s and '60s (as well as Jaws), Aja and writers Peter Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg take aim at either cynical zeitgeist elements like the Girls Gone Wild series (with Jerry O'Connell striking the right tone as its craven creator) or hapless partygoers, which leaves an unpleasant aftertaste of misanthropy. Where the film does succeed is in its supporting cast, which strikes the same winking tone as Dante's version; Richard Dreyfuss and Christopher Lloyd poke fun at their Jaws and Back to the Future roles, while Adam Scott, comic Paul Scheer, and Eli Roth give appropriately broad turns. Elizabeth Shue, of all people, is the sheriff hero and acquits herself well to the absurd story line, as do Steven R. McQueen (yes, Steve's grandson) and Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr as the film's Young Lovers. Again, taking issue with Piranha 3D is like finding fault with a cheeseburger for being greasy, but for those expecting a full-course meal, the fish get all the big bites here. --Paul Gaita« less
Actors:Elisabeth Shue, Jerry O'Connell Director:Alejandre Aja Studio:Sony Format:DVD - Color,Widescreen - Closed-captioned,Subtitled DVD Release Date: 01/11/2011 Original Release Date: 01/01/2010 Theatrical Release Date: 04/16/2010 Release Year: 2011 Run Time: 1hr 28min Screens: Color,Widescreen Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 3 Members Wishing: 0 MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) See Also:
Nick W. (Nick1899) from FORT WORTH, TX Reviewed on 4/28/2014...
Previous reviews are accurate. This movie is nothing short of purely entertaining. Don't expect any Oscar winning performances but plan on being entertained throughout the film. I always enjoy seeing Elisabeth Shue and Christopher Lloyd on the big screen and can even enjoy this B-movie status. Expect nothing more than boobs, blood and humor. This was clearly meant to be seen in 3-D (although it's still worth watching without the extra visual effects. If nothing else this is something to watch while drinking or what I like to call a "popcorn movie".
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Steven P. (postalgunnut) from BELLAIRE, OH Reviewed on 3/24/2013...
Lots of T & A and Lots of Nasty Fish means less clothes to Chew through. Dang those Eat-em-up Scenes Look Real. Buckets of blood and shredded pieces of what used to be people, Jerry O'Connell and the Fish Burping later on?????Hmm. But, the one thing you will never see coming is the Very End Shot,, that is One Big Suprise. (No spoilers here) I love the Girls gone wild aspect of the Movie. ( I Am a Male, Can't help but Luv It) but the final scene had me Laughing for a good 5 Minutes. Don't expect any Science mumbo-jumbo or Rationalizing, but a Good way to spend near an Hour & Half, and like most of the partiers, Beer helps to male the movie more Pallatable.
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Chad B. (abrnt1) from CABERY, IL Reviewed on 5/27/2011...
Dumb fun best explains this film.
3 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Steven H. (sehamilton) from BIRMINGHAM, AL Reviewed on 3/8/2011...
Watched the 2D version. Obviously made to be seen in 3D, inasmuch as objects come flying at the viewer. Must be fun to see it in 3D. No stand-out performances, Jerry O'Connell, Ving Rhames, et. al., give mediorce performances at best. Richard Dreyfus' reference to his Jaws' performance is great fun. Elisabeth Shue is competent and easy on the eyes. But the piranhas are the main characters here, and they deliver with gusto. I'd have to throw this one back, although its not a bad way to waste 82 minutes.
3 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Dan G. (hauntboy) from CLIFTON, IL Reviewed on 2/22/2011...
Check your brain at the door and get ready for a wild ride. Flesh,flesh and more flesh are waiting along with some great special effects and more blood then you will ever need to see on the screen.If nudity offends,stay away from this one, Aja goes way overboard. When the beasts get going all heck breaks loose and some of the best attack scenes I have seen are unleashed.They show everything.My only regret is that I did not see this in 3d at the theaters.4 1/2 stars for this wild ride. loved it Dan