Fans of the Syfy original movie franchise Sharknado will recognize the name Anthony C. Ferrante. He directed all six Sharknado films, and now he has a new project: a live-action short film for the game Dave the Diver. Titled "Dave the Diver: In the Jungle," the roughly 10-minute film is a departure from Ferrante's usual aquatic creature features, as it is entirely free of sharks and tornadoes.
Instead, the film centers on Dave and his companions battling Sulong, a formidable crocodile boss featured in the game's expansion. Ferrante's experience with reptilian antagonists is noted, with a co-writing credit on the song "Meth Gator" for the Asylum film of the same name. The song itself is even featured during the end credits of the Dave the Diver short. IMAGE1 alt=Dave the Diver, in live-action, smiling and wearing diving gear dimensions=1920x1080
The "In the Jungle" short embraces a deliberately low-budget aesthetic, characteristic of the style found in films produced by The Asylum. The casting is described as good, but the production values are comparable to mid-range cosplay. This approach aligns with the expectation that viewers seeking out content from the producers of Sharknado are looking for something goofy and affordably produced. IMAGE2 alt=Dave the Diver, in live-action, smiling and wearing diving gear dimensions=1200x675
While the overall cheesiness of the short is embraced, one element drew particular criticism: the depiction of the character Bancho. Bancho's iconic appearance was marred by what is described as a poorly applied, glued-on beard. IMAGE3 alt=Live-action Bancho with an unconvincing beard dimensions=1200x675 This detail was seen as a disservice to the character, especially given the known low-budget specialization of the production company. Despite this singular complaint, the film offers a lighthearted, shark-free foray into the world of Dave the Diver.