‘47 Meters’ sequel is a toothsome success

‘47 Meters Down: Uncaged’

Grade: 3 stars (out of 4)

Rating: PG-13 for creature related violence and terror, some bloody images and brief rude gestures.

Running time: 1:29

By MARK KENNEDY

AP Entertainment Writer

Forty-four years after “Jaws,” there’s still a shark thriller that makes your heart pound.

Director and co-writer Johannes Roberts returns to dangerous waters after the surprising success of his “47 Meters Down” in 2017, which was made for just $5 million and earned $62 million.

Four young actresses – half with famous parents – have jumped into the aqua this time: Sophie Nelisse, Corinne Foxx (daughter of Jamie), Brianne Tju and Sistine Stallone (daughter of Sylvester).

In terms of plot, like its predecessor, “47 Meters Down: Uncaged,” is pretty tidy: Our quartet of high-school students including feuding step-sisters – foolishly go exploring in a submerged Mayan city that they are unaware contains – you guessed it – sharks. Massive blind sharks. Massive blind sharks that are hungry.

Roberts has clearly been given a bigger budget and it shows in the nicely realized submerged city the poor young women must navigate. He’s saddled with a terrible film title – 47 meters was the depth of the ocean floor in the first film – but none of that matters once the air tanks and masks go on.