After a quick wrap-up of the first film, we learn that Anthony, the hero from the first movie (writer/director John Migliore) is now trapped in the afterlife where he routinely gets into Doctor Strange-style magic battles with guys who wear gorilla suits and cheap oversized sunglasses. Meanwhile, the evil Caldura (Simon Wheeldon) spends his time watching Ouija Shark devour bikini clad women. Back in the real world, Anthony’s wife, Cressida (Deborah Jayne Reilly Smith) is frantically trying to find a way to bring him back to life. When Ouija Shark breaks out of the underworld, Anthony must call upon his spirit animal, Tarot Gator to save the world.
I enjoyed the first Ouija Shark more than anyone with half a brain probably should have. (I guess it all depends on which half of your brain you’re missing.) So, I figured I’d give this sequel a go. I was surprised as anyone to learn about the awesome subtitle, “Ouija Shark vs. Tarot Gator” that pops up in the opening credits sequence as it was definitely not listed as such on any of the streaming sites, or on IMDb for that matter. Had I known that was indeed the full title, I would’ve watched it much sooner.
The first one worked because it took the bare bones of your typical shark flick, infused it with your average Ouija movie, and just ran with the goofiness. This one has an anything goes type of kitchen sink mentality, which is admirable. It’s just that the misses far outweigh the hits. It’s one thing when it’s copying Doctor Strange. It’s another when it’s ripping off Return of the Jedi. Oh, and did we really need to see the devil guy performing a song and dance number?
I will say there is a noticeable uptick in fun once Ouija Shark leaves Hell, turns into a kaiju, and stomps on a city. I just wish it didn’t take so long for Tarot Gator to enter the fracas. At least their final battle is amusing. You know, if watching hand puppets shooting fireballs and bolts of lightning at each other is your cup of tea.
Maybe I’m just a man of simple tastes, but the original worked for me mostly because it had a ghost shark eating babes in bikinis. Sure, there’s some of that here, but ultimately there’s too much wimpy warlock shit that gets in the way of the fun. Now that I think of it, a more cohesive plot might’ve helped too. Not to mention some funny jokes. Quibbles aside, Ouija Shark 2 is far from the worst shark movie I’ve seen. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, but for a select few, that will be all you need to hear to check it out.
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