A movie with teeth

I SAW the original version of this movie when I was 13-years-old and although the effects were awful compared to today's CGI wizardry, it still terrified me. Yes, it was a 70's B movie, but that was the essence of its charm.

So, when I heard that there was a re-make, with the lovely Kelly Brook no less, I leapt eagerly in anticipation. Admittedly, Kelly (ironically a B-list British celebrity) isn't going to win any awards for her acting ability but she is definitely pleasant to look at!

There are subtle variations in the storyline but the plot remains fairly true to the original and, with the aid of 3D graphics, this is a film that really jumps out at you. To set the scene, thousands of vicious Piranha are let loose from their underwater cavern in a lake following a minor earthquake.

It turns out that these fish date back from the prehistoric era and have been feeding on each other for centuries in order to survive. So, once they're finally set free, they're eager for a change on the menu.

Unfortunately for all the innocent snacks, sorry, people, involved, their release coincides with Spring Break, the time of year when college students flock to the small town and turn the lake into the breeding ground for their hedonistic antics. There certainly is plenty of flesh for the audience to stare at and for the savage, blood-thirsty piranhas to feast on.

The lake's snappy new residents descend on the students and an unlikely group of strangers must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food. And what a motley crew they are indeed. There's Jake Forester - the geek, his mum Julie - the town sheriff, his younger brother and sister, Kelly - the girl he's secretly in love with and, of course, Danni (Kelly Brook), who is in the area to film a 'Wild girls' documentary.

Jake must find the inner-strength and courage to save the people he loves the most from the fierce fish, and in doing so, discover that there's more to his mundane life than meets the eye. The plot doesn't really go much further than that but, there is a lovely little twist at the end which leaves the door wide-open for a sequel.

This film is unadulterated gore and blood, there is no pretence of an intellectual storyline or a heartwarming sub plot - trust me it's all about the carnage. However, credit where it's due, there are some genuine elements of suspense and tension, meaning that there is something to hold your attention besides Kelly Brook in a red bikini (although, if the film was just 88 minutes of that, I wouldn't complain).

There are some fantastic moments and the film works really well in 3D because the genre really lends itself to this medium. If there's one thing more terrifying than man-eating fish, it's man-eating fish in 3D!

If you're looking for a film that will make you jump (and definitely give you the urge to join the Kelly Brook fan club), this one is for you.

Showing in Cineco, Seef II and Saar Cineplex