The Reef 2: High Tide

The Reef 2: High Tide
South Korean theatrical release poster
Directed by	Mark A.Z. Dippé Taedong Park
Written by	Chris Denk Johnny Hartmann
Produced by	Daniel Chuba Youngki Lee Ash Shah Mark A.Z. Dippé
Starring	Drake Bell Jamie Kennedy Rob Schneider
Edited by	Jim Flynn Michael Rafferty Tom Sanders
Music by	Todd Haberman
Production company	WonderWorld Studios
Distributed by	CJ Entertainment (South Korea) Arc Entertainment (United States and Canada) SC Films (International)
Release dates	October 30, 2012 (2012-10-30) (United States) January 10, 2013 (2013-01-10) (South Korea)
Running time	80 minutes
Countries	South Korea United States
Languages	Korean English
Box office	$8,829,781

The Reef 2: High Tide (Korean: 파이스토리: 악당상어 소탕작전; lit. 'Pi's Story: Operation To Wipe Out The Evil Sharks') is a 2012 animated adventure comedy film and the sequel to 2006's Shark Bait. It was directed and produced by Mark A.Z. Dippé and co-director Taedong Park, and written by Chris Denk and Johnny Hartmann. The English dub stars the same actors as last time, except Freddie Prinze Jr. and Evan Rachel Wood, who are replaced by Drake Bell and Busy Philipps. Although Donal Logue reprised his role as Troy, he replaces John Rhys-Davies as Thornton. Rob Schneider reprised his role as Nerissa, Bart, Eddie, and many more.

A sequel titled Around the World in 80 Days: The Reef 3 is in development.

Plot

Troy is revealed to be alive but imprisoned by the marines, locked in a cage and subjected to painful injections. With help from Ronny, a small yet cunning con artist shark, he escapes and sets his sights on revenge against Pi.

Life at the reef has been calm for Pi, enjoying fatherhood with no sharks in sight. That peace ends when Troy and his gang appear at the reef wall, warning that in four days the water will rise enough for them to swim over. Nerissa urges Pi to train the other fish to fight, but Troy blackmails Ronny into sabotaging the effort in exchange for his freedom. Disguised with a kelp wig and fake dentures, Ronny watches the training collapse and pitches an “underwater extravaganza” to showcase each fish’s unique talents and attract human protection. Everyone loves the idea—except Pi. When he confronts Nerissa, she hints that Ronny might spark something Pi hasn’t allowed them to show. Pi insists he’s tried to train them, but Nerissa explains she meant helping them become their best selves, not copies of him, and reveals the image of the legendary Sea Dragon, a power only the worthy can command.

Pi devises a plan to construct a shark trap to catapult Troy out of the sea and instructs two companions to gather supplies. After Pi and his son Junior set up the trap, he assigns Bart and Eddie to guard the cave. However, Ronny overhears the plan and, at Troy’s command, sets out to destroy it. By deceiving the reef fish into believing he needs a clamp for a talent show, Ronny lures them to the cave, destroying the shark trap. Bart and Eddie relay the failure to Pi, who angrily confronts Ronny. Cordelia intervenes, asserting that Ronny values them as they are, unlike Pi. Later, Troy orders Ronny to lead Cordelia outside the reef at sunset. Upon succeeding, Ronny’s disguise is revealed to Cordelia by Troy, shocking her. Although Ronny, now fond of the reef and its inhabitants, attempts to justify his actions, Troy kidnaps Cordelia but spares Ronny, deeming him no longer useful.

As Pi lies wounded amid the wreckage of Nerissa’s ship, a sudden disturbance draws attention to Bart and Eddie, who have apprehended Ronny after uncovering his true identity as a shark. Overcome with remorse, Ronny confesses that Troy had coerced him and vows to aid Pi in rescuing Cordelia. Impressed by his sincerity, Pi, Nerissa, Bart, and Eddie grant the repentant dwarf shark a second chance. While Pi works to free Cordelia, Ronny courageously blocks the Hench-sharks, imploring them to turn against Troy. However, Troy, overhearing the betrayal, becomes enraged and devours Ronny. Meanwhile, as preparations for battle progress, Nerissa enters a mysterious volcano to summon the sea dragon, arcane energies swirling around the turtle as the ritual takes shape.

Troy and his sharks launch an attack on the reef, but many fish manage to outwit them. Troy bites and overpowers Pi, but before delivering a fatal blow, Nerissa arrives with his formidable sea dragon, driving back the other sharks. Seizing an opportunity, Troy approaches from behind, knocking Nerissa off the dragon and causing it to vanish. He prepares to harm Nerissa, but Pi intervenes with a Water Ball, redirecting Troy’s focus to his primary adversary. Troy chases Pi until Pi, Cordelia, and Junior deploy the shark trap, propelling Troy out of the sea and back onto the ship. As humans approach the subdued shark, Ronny emerges from Troy’s mouth and returns to the water. The humans then administer another vaccine, causing Troy to scream in agony.  

With Troy defeated, the fish celebrate as Nerissa commends Pi for proving himself a true leader. Pi and his friends thank Nerissa for risking his life, to which the wise turtle replies, “It was my part to play.” Nerissa joins the festivities, dancing with the other fish as a redeemed Ronny joins the celebration.

Voice Cast

English cast

• Drake Bell as Pi, an orange wrasse fish who is the new leader of the reef, Cordelia's husband and Junior's father. He was previously voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr. in the first film.
• Busy Philipps as Cordelia, a carnation pink angelfish who is Pi's wife and Junior's mother. She was previously voiced by Evan Rachel Wood in the first film.
• Frankie Jonas as Pi Jr., a young orange wrasse fish who is the son of Pi and Cordelia.
• Donal Logue as Troy, an evil tiger shark and Pi's archenemy who now has an identity number "Alpha 010", as Ronny calls him. He seeks revenge on Pi for tricking him into going near a massive fishing net. He makes a cameo in Marmaduke. Logue reprised his role from the first film.
  • Logue also voices Thornton, an elderly storytelling harbor seal and a resident of the Reef. He was previously voiced by John Rhys-Davies in the first film.
• Rob Schneider as Nerissa, an old loggerhead sea turtle and Pi's mentor.
  • Schneider also voices Bart and Eddie, Troy's former henchmen who now serve as Pi's personal assistants and sidekicks. Bart is a smart barracuda while Eddie is a dimwitted wolf eel. Schneider also voices other characters like Bud, Doom a hammerhead shark who is a member of Troy's gang, a lobster, Madge the starfish, Max the French-accented decorator crab, a pelican, and a sea sponge.
• Andy Dick as Dylan, a teal Elongate surgeonfish who is Pi's cousin and Junior's uncle
• Audrey Wasilewski as Aunt Pearl, a purple Elongate surgeonfish who is Dylan's mother, Pi's aunt and Junior's great aunt. She was previously voiced by Fran Drescher in the first film.
• Jamie Kennedy as Ronny, a purple dogfish who was used by Troy to stop Pi's coaching skills.
• Jack Mullins as Navy diver
• Stephen Stanton as Jack, one of the marlins.
• Matthew Willig as Bronson , a great white shark and a member of Troy's gang.
• Eric Lopez as Hector, a bull shark and a member of Troy's gang.
• Neil Ross as Schliemann, a lemon shark and a member of Troy's gang.

Reception

Tracy Moore of Common Sense Media give a rate two stars out of five, saying that the "Sequel is less intense than the original but still menacing." Starburst Magazine's Paul Mount reviewed the film and said that it was "clearly one for the kids with its bright colours and endless knockabout humour, there are a few sly gags and references which might amuse patient adults who are along for the ride and who might otherwise be spending their time glancing at their wristwatches and waiting for the end credits to roll." He also noted that the animation is "rarely better than cheap and cheerful" and voice talents are "not exactly A-list." He gave a rating of five out of ten.

External links

• The Reef 2: High Tide at IMDb
• The Reef 2: High Tide at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Reef 2: High Tide at Box Office Mojo