What do you want? Everything can not be new or innovative and everyone can not be a superstar. The formula has always worked before. You pick up something in space and it eats your lunch. I did not see any cardboard looking props and the actors do not out act the characters.
Look how far the actors have come. Robin Tunney has grown up and looks cuter than in "The Craft" (see my review December 22, 2000.) Lou Diamond Philips can make more faces (expanded expressions) than he did in "Bats" (see my review August 25, 2000.)
This movie has all the elements necessary for today's formula space "Who's next to get it?" film. You truly have several chances to say stay in the car (oops ship).
This is one of my favorite science fiction action movies to watch when I'm not hung up on plot holes and just want to feel tickled with good sci-fi. I know it sounds like a strange recommendation but this is not a bad movie.
What it has that's cool: James Spader completely hulked out with muscles like you've never seen him before, hand held camera realism, Lou Diamond Phillips, Peter Facinelli, a treasure / bomb / 9th dimensional creation element designed by aliens to keep renewing the universe and eliminate competing advanced cultures.
The acting is excellent good but unfortunately the characters aren't fleshed out. You never really get a sense why the characters are doing what they are doing. Even if they are just doing what they are doing for fun, there is no sense of that. It's hard to sense why the doctor, played by Angela Basset is she's so cold to everyone. And why is James Spader's character, Nick so cold. I would have loved more backstory on these characters, maybe some flash backs. That is why this review is missing a star. I feel these actors were under utilized, especially Lou Diamond Phillips. He's an amazing actor and he's just playing a grunt in this.
The most dialogue comes from Peter Facinelli as Carl. Besides being the bad guy having being the doctor's ex, it's not certain what he did to her to make her so pissed and scared of him. Did he hurt her feelings or did he try to kill her? It's so non specific. The character isn't very smart either. His treasure is a bomb?!
Most of the effects still hold up. The interior of the ship is very authentic looking. It brought more validity to the movie.
In summary, I love this movie despite it's faults, because I enjoyed the grouping of these actors together and that kick-ass 9th dimensional object. What a cool concept. James Spader is a fascinating actor to watch and I just love seeing him on screen with Angela Basset.
5つ星のうち4.0A fun ride of sci-fi silliness with creepy overtones
2017年11月4日 - (Amazon.com)
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The stuff they cut out of the movie, then included on the Blu-Ray, is fascinating. I would rate this movie 3 stars, but I'm throwing in one more star for the DVD extras. Spoiler: (wait for it) ...
(Okay, spoiler warning delivered). Down on the abandoned moon base, there is a giant fetus, the end result of an alien device that makes people younger. It is SO creepy! I can't believe they cut it out of the movie. A lot of good stuff was cut out, actually. The ending makes no sense at all. The alternative ending is even more stupid. But don't let that stop you. It's a fun ride.
As a fan of space travel sci-fi, I have been waiting for the blu-ray version of this title for many years. Thanks to Shout Factory, it is now available. Huge improvements in the resolution make this a great upgrade for fans like me. The negative aspects of this film have been documented by many others so I will only comment on the positive aspects. The acting and special effects are excellent and the enhanced resolution only add to the experience. The presentation is 2.35:1 enhanced, contrary to the description on the sleeve which indicates 1.85:1. Very happy to have it in my collection. Now the only big budget sci-fi space travel film missing form my blu-ray collection is "Mission to Mars".
I really enjoyed this movie. And I'm a serious science-fiction fan. First, I will concede that I wish the movie had gone deeper in its develop of its scientific theory and pulling some of the character elements together. Nevertheless, I thought that the concept employed to explain the alien object recovered was BRILLIANT!!! It was an excellent attempt to blend together creation theory with the existence of other species. It was very probing. This movie to me, is a lot like Lucy. I though that was an excellent sci-fi film as well. Yes, it left some elements that were untidy, but what it did do in terms of science-fiction and blending with elements of real scientific theory was excellent.
Angela Bassett as always was phenomenal with the material she was provided. There isn't a role that she doesn't bring it too. And James Spader, I've got to admit, I have a crush on him. I think he's a brilliant, colorful actor. And who knew his body was ever that buff? Total hottie in this movie. I know he's older know but perhaps he'll choose to revisit that level of fitness. I sure would love to see that on The Blacklist. In any event, I thought the movie was great for it did. View it through this lens and give it a shot!
I'm a big Sci-Fi fan and I like almost any science fiction about space. This movie has a good story line, the acting is good, the special effects not bad for the time period, but somehow, it misses the mark of being a great sci-fi flick. That said, it is still good enough to watch on a cold rainy afternoon while having popcorn and hot chocolate. I can't get over how much James Spader has aged in the last 16 years, but then again, who hasn't.