700 Sharks

700 Sharks from National Geographic reflects an audacious journey into the world's largest predator swarm in the wild. The movie provides a comprehensive exploration of the behaviour, hunting patterns, and cooperation traits of hundreds of gray reef sharks inhabiting the south Pacific's coral reefs. Known for their fierce nature and intelligent hunting strategies, these fascinating creatures form the primary focus of this observational documentary.

Filmed over the course of three years, this cinematic portrayal of the majestic marine predators in their natural environment is an awe-inspiring feat of underwater filmmaking. Directed by Luc Marescot, this visual spectacle brings to life unprecedented images showing the behavior of these normally elusive creatures.

The narrative starts off on the French Polynesian atoll of Fakarava, where the researchers and filmmakers dive into the coral reef's 'pass,' the gateway through the reef where currents bring in a plethora of available prey for the resident sharks. The team initially aims to record the yearly grouper spawning, an event that attracts not just the reef's resident sharks, but a multitude of other predators as well.

The '700 Sharks', as referred to in the title, is the estimated number of sharks congregating in these waters, drawn towards the promise of easy prey. The documentary captures their sophisticated group hunting techniques that include coordination, communication, tactical maneuvers and divisions of labor among the bachelor-shark pack. It’s a revelation that shatters the perception of sharks as solitary predators, demonstrating their ability to use efficient and organized hunting strategies in numbers - comparable to wolves or lions.

Visually, 700 Sharks has some stunning underwater cinematography. Watching the gray reef sharks glide through the coral reefs and blue oceans, displaying their blend of grace and power is breathtaking. Shot in 4K-quality, the movie reveals the undersea world and its inhabitants in all their vibrant, awe-inspiring glory, each moment meticulously crafted to augment the storytelling. The undulating dance of the luminous shoal, the predatory strike of the sharks, and the serene drift of the sea currents against the magnificent coral reefs is breathtaking.

Guiding us through this cinematic observation of the sharks' world is Dr. Laurent Ballesta, a world-renowned marine biologist specializing in shark behavior. Ballesta and his team not only provide interesting insights into the lives of these amazing creatures but also risk their lives to capture exclusive close-up interactions. They meticulously follow the sharks' patterns, experimenting with various techniques to gauge their response and communication within the pack, making the movie informative and intriguing.

Throughout the documentary, Ballesta's passion for understanding these creatures shines. The audience is privy to the nerve-wracking trials of filming these predators, the frustration when experiments do not yield expected results, and the jubilation at uncovered secrets of their social marine lives. Through him, viewers can see the challenges faced by marine biologists when studying these remarkable but misunderstood creatures.

Beyond the shark focus, the documentary also features the rich biodiversity in the waters, such as the grouper fish and other sea life, underlining the ecological significance these ecosystems have in our world. Navigation through the underwater passages puts forth the hard reality of climate change on the world's coral reef systems, raising awareness about conserving these fragile habitats.

The movie's soundtrack, comprising a combination of techno beats and ambient sounds, perfectly embodies the underwater spectacle, moving from suspense to awe as the sharks' astonishing behavior unveils.

"700 Sharks" makes a departure from the usual shark documentaries, which often focus on the negative aspects: their danger to humans or gruesome sequences of killing. Instead, it proffers exciting insights into shark behaviors and their social structures, effectively demonstrating that sharks are more than just mindless killing machines. Through this captivating journey, the viewers get a chance to appreciate sharks as intelligent, complex creatures, playing an essential role in balancing the underwater ecosystem.

In summary, whether you are a marine-life enthusiast, a documentary aficionada, or simply a curious viewer, 700 Sharks is an extraordinary exploration into the mysterious world of these underwater predators, providing a riveting, visually-enchanting and knowledgeable viewing experience. It offers a beautiful yet candid glance into the life and social behavior of grey reef sharks, capturing the harmony and unforgiving rules of nature in all its raw, unscripted glory.