The Flood does not get off to a great start. The cold open is poorly lit with dialogue that is bad when it is not being mumbled incoherently. This is followed by credits straight out of every police procedural since 1987. Thankfully, its story of a jailbreak interrupted by a horrible hurricane that brings hungry alligators soon picks up.
The combination of cops and criminals being forced to work together, some more aggressive than normal alligators and a one building setting keeps the plot streamlined and comfortable. There are going to be plenty of gators chomping down. It is just a matter of who and when.
This is the best part of The Flood – in theory. The plot throws a lot at the audience – the prisoners get character establishing introductions twice – but most of it is inconsequential. The important thing to remember is there are around ten people and two jet skis that can get them to safety. The fun for the audience is guessing who will be left fighting to escape.
Regrettably, the film chooses to focus on the animal attacks. This is a basic creature feature, so it is not necessary to have a deep and involved story. But deciding to rely on some gruesome death scenes takes away from The Flood. In an apparent attempt to make sure there is no tension about who is getting away, the kills happen in reverse order. The people expected to make it to the end die quickly and the smaller characters remain until the final moments.
The end result is a series of passable alligator attacks and a story that is easy to follow but still confusing. Thankfully, the kills manage to keep looking good. There is one near that end that starts slow, before ending in a way that is gruesome and funny. If only more charm and care was put in the rest of The Flood.
The Flood will open in theaters and be available On Demand and digital July 14
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