Piranha-Getabrain-morans

When the LA Times ran a story about Lake Havasu residents hoping to “dispel rumors” that their lake was infested with piranhas because a ridiculous movie was filmed there, mainly I was confused by Havasu’s strange approach to publicity. Now that their local paper is running ANOTHER story, I’m wondering if everyone there might actually be clinically retarded.  Wait, what am I saying, I’ve been there. I know they are.

In the business of tourism, image is everything.  And in the week following the release of “Piranha 3D,” city officials are hopeful future visitors see the film as tongue-in-cheek humor and aren’t scared off by the over-the-top partying or the vicious prehistoric fish.

I always find people who say “image is everything” aren’t nearly as worried as they should be about getting punched in the face.

“I think both towns [the fictional one in the movie and Lake Havasu] looked absolutely beautiful and they sure look the same,” Visitor’s Bureau President Doug Traub joked. “For the most part, you see young people observing the law and having a good time in the movie. However, morally, if you see people wearing less than full body armor [derp], you may be offended. … I would agree that it was way overblown because it was a movie and again I wouldn’t take it seriously.”
Another possibility, however, is that people avoid the lake in the same way millions avoided the oceans near Martha’s Vineyard, where the 1975 film “Jaws” was filmed.

Yes, that is indeed a plausible scenario.  I’m so glad I read this article.

“There are definitely some parallels to the reaction after ‘Jaws,’” Traub said. “But in a movie with killer fish and a police officer using a chainsaw or a boat propeller to fend them off, I think there’s your clear tip-off of where the parallels end. … A shark is one thing, but prehistoric killer fish aren’t ever going to attack our city.”

Mmm, sage advice, Doug, sage advice.  Moreover, I’m glad the city of Lake Havasu took the Piranha 3D opening as an opportunity to get the word out about their town.  “Come to Lake Havasu: We’re reeeeally f*cking bored here,” it seems to say.