Gonger Reviews: The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water (2017)
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Doug Jones, Richard Jenkins, and, if you are a mega nerd like me you’ll recognize David Hewlett of Stargate: Atlantis (2004-2009) fame! I thought the character looked familiar but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Totally transformative! Fantastic actor! Bonus points already! 1/1 bet you didn’t think you could get points in the cast list... enter David Hewlett motherfucker!
Synopsis: The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) finally gets the girl... or does the girl get him? It's a nice creature feature.
Cinematography: This flick looks like it was ripped out of the 1950’s and this is exactly what was intended. This is how a flick should look; simple yet striking. Dan Laustsen takes the technique of yore and re-engineers the method for modern audiences. Great tones and lighting, as well, create a powerful visual. Just fantastic! 2/2
Acting: The players are so into it they’re neck deep! Sally Hawkins knocks it out of the park playing the mute Elisa. She does more without lines than you can talking about your boring ass day. Seriously, Bill, I don’t give a care about what Margret said at your office dummy meeting! Micheal Shannon is a shark in this film! When he hits the screen the threat level rockets to eleven! Always happy to see him in the flicks. Doug Jones does his thing as the fishman creature. It's cool. No surprise. This cast is great! Best cast of the year! 2/2
Writing: Another dark fairytale from the master, Guillermo del Toro! He hasn’t penned anything this good since Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)! I love how this script is inspired by classic horror and musicals of the 1930’s to 1960’s. This flick is like a history lesson and brings the old back to new! Dust off that leather jacket and bust out that knucklehead daddy’o! This flick has nothing to do with any of those things but it would be cool seeing the Fishman all James Deaned out riding a motorcycle. That would be my movie and I’d call it Rumblefish! What? If Tarantino can steal old movie names I can too! There is this subplot that isn’t bad by any means but it took me out of the fairytale a bit. I think del Toro should have rooted it better. 1.5/2
Soundtrack: Hey! This flick has a wicked score! Alexandre Desplat does this whole music really well. It very whimsical, romantic, and wholly cinematic! What I love most is it not fad driven with "Bawms!" and "Chugga chuggas!" That stuff is fun and all but it doesn’t belong in every sci-fi/fantasy. The sound mixing is great, too! My only hang-up is the creature sounds were a little lacklustre. 1.5/2
Directing: Guillermo del Toro is one weird dude. Only he could make a movie like this. He takes this horror trope, flips it on its head and builds this, dare I say, romantic, erotic fantasy. Seriously, take your Fifty Shades and shove it! Shape of Water is drenched in del Toro style, too. His style is so unique that his visual, has for me, become del Toro-esque. Thats right! I’m going to be the first to coin that term! Just like when I invented the word "hoody" (your welcome by the way!) Anyhow, again with the writing this flick embodies classic films which is kind of like restoring an old car, it's totally sweet! 2/2
We need more flicks like this one! This one was just enchanting! Bring a date! 10/10
Allan Stringer @Gonger_Reviews
Allan Stringer (if that's his real name) hails from the Mutara Nebula and has travelled through space and time to check out the only thing us pathetic humans have to offer: movies. Marvel at his intelligence!