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Film Review: Rough Air: Danger on Flight 534

Posted in Rough Air: Danger of Flight 534 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 11, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

Plain Disasters. The movies in which pretty much everyone is either guaranteed to survive or die depending on the outcome (Airplane 77 being one of the few exceptions). This film has a death count of one. Regardless, it’s quite slickly produced and does well with its low-budget roots.

The Premise

Someone forgets to shut the door on the plane. Oops!

The Disasters Faced

Decompressing planes, a serial killer on the loose and NO SCOTCH LEFT ONBOARD!!!

The Execution

Rough Air is a TV movie but aside from the typical TV movie score, it manages to conceal this by never extending itself too far in the technical department. Besides, a shaky camera and lots of flinging yourself about in these films goes a long way. The first 20 minutes introduces us to a motley crew of characters including the abrasive drunk, the ditzy stewardess, the “gnarly” students and convicted killer. Of course the leading duo of stewardess and shamed pilot have broken up. You know their love will be affirmed within the next ninety minutes. All in all, it’s a real classic era set up and its this that carries the film through as each of the stories unfold when the cargo door opens. From there it’s down to trying to land the plane with wonky controls, low fuel and a huge open cargo door. With competent acting, a relatively tight script and some heavily cliche characters, the film speeds through to its finale.

The Effects

Outside shots of the plane are used sparingly but the actual decompression of the plane is handled quite well albeit with nothing new added to the formula.

Why It’s Worth Watching

The characters are silly and one-dimensional apart from the unusual yet still predictable arc for the killer. Aside from that, the movie is a tight 84 minutes and with the script at its camp best, I was entertained throughout.

Best Death

There’s only one death and that’s the serial killer who ends up being the man to sacrifice himself to save the rest. How beautiful!

Favourite Character

There’s a few likeable characters but I’ll go for Roger Lee (Russell Yuen) for being an all round nice guy while his new wife spends the entire moving screaming randomly. Second up is Carlo Rota for a really miserable portrayal of Cal.

Weirdest Moment

Despite some logic lapses I think the best part is when the entire plane decides to scream when they see the runway approach. It’s just so overly camp, it’s great. That’s the followed by the end sequence where an absolutely stupid man stands and watches a plane slowly roll towards him and his office building gormless. It’s utterly stupid.

Conclusion

Camp? Check! Cliche characters? Check! Everyone clearly lapping up the hammy scenario? Check! That to me makes a solid disaster movie. While it doesn’t have big effects, it plays to its strengths of a decent cast and is just as enjoyable as Airplane.

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Film Review: Hindenburg

Posted in Hindenberg with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 9, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

Possibly one of the first disasters to be caught on TV feed, The Hindenburg is one of those moments that people will reflect back and note with historical importance. This 2011 adaptation was originally a three-hour TV adaptation but has been scaled down to just over half that to make a relatively pacey movie that despite some iffy accents, is relatively well put together and the actual disaster itself is surprisingly explosive.

The Premise

We follow the secret lives of various people aboard the Hindenburg before it fatefully bursts into flames.

The Disasters Faced

A bomb, a ton of hydrogen, static electricity, an affinity with men’s toilets and some dodgy guess the accent games.

The Execution

Due to the fact no one has ever been able to pinpoint the exact cause of the disaster, this film decides to take several of the theories and merge them all together. Most of the character driven plot and subtext drive the bomb theory and this throws most of the cast into the “whose got the bomb” story. What that does, by shrinking the story down by half, is drop a lot of the subplots and characters into a few small scenes. A Jewish family is introduced but half hour in with a suspiciously pervy magician but then suddenly are thrown into main characters for the explosion and then be dropped straight after. As a whole though, there doesn’t appear to be gaping holes missing in the story. However in the background an electrical storm is going on throughout and this is the other main theory for the crash. It’s fun to see the two ideas flirted with. As for the disaster itself, for what only lasted a minute in real life, it’s stretched to a couple on film in slow motion but is well done, even if it’s quickly over.

The Effects

The Hindenburg looks fantastic. Good sets, period cars and the ship itself looks great. The explosion itself and subsequent action is well shot and the flame effects are way above the standard TV fair. There’s some good burn make up too. Yum!

Why It’s Worth Watching

From a historical point of view, I’ve no idea how accurate it is but it does feel like you’re viewing a bit of history. The acting is generally fine but the accents do take a wander from German trying to sound English to American to just stilted in a strange manner. However, because it’s not just one actor, it’s everyone, after a while it feels quite normal to have everyone talk in a bizzaro hybrid of accents. If you enjoy a good drinking game, I suggest a shot for every time someone turns out to already know a bomb is onboard. You’ll be sozzled by half way. (I think I need to make a new sub heading for drinking game from now on)

Best Death

I want to say Mummy Dearest for burning in a very large fireball (yay) but I think Eckner may take it after being murdered and dumped in the men’s toilet’s urinal. What an insult to injury!

Favourite Character

Strangely, not many characters stand out for me in the movie because no one appears to be good or bad, it’s all a blurring line. I’ll go for the lead lady Lauren Lee Smith as she’s very Winslet-esque.

Weirdest Moment

There’s a magician and performer onboard and there’s a very random scene where he emerges with a cabin boy making slightly sexual strange remarks only to then tell our leading male he’s off to the male toilets as he hopes to have as much action in them as he has. Of course he’s referring to the murder beforehand but it just comes across in a sinister kidnapper manner – not helped by the fact many of his other scenes are with a young girl.

Conclusion

Competent mystery before an explosive finale that while is over too soon, is worth the wait, Hindenburg is a good disaster flick. It’s certainly not a great one because of the strange accents, the completely inappropriate modern rock soundtrack and the strange need it has to over score scenes. It is a quirky entry because of its unique subject matter and disaster movie buffs could do a lot worse. Just don’t expect to feel much for the characters.

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Film Review – 252 Sign Of Life

Posted in 252 Sign of Life with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 5, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

Asia have recently made some great disaster movies but I can imagine them hitting home so much more due to recent events this year. Following in the footsteps of Tidal Wave, Aftershock and Sinking of Japan comes 252 Sign of Life which is both gripping and melodramatic in equal measures. Despite its overly heroic Hollywood moments that come right out of Independence Day’s book of film making, its a great film.

The Premise

A series of Typhoons set off a chain of events that causes a tsunami  to sweep across our main characters whom are all trapped in a subway station. Can they find rescue before the water finds them?

The Disasters Faced

A tsunami, a hail storm, flash flooding, cave ins, leaking gas and an improvised blood transfusion using a fish tank filter! However on the back of the UK box there’s a clear picture of a scene where a Tornado is hitting the city. I have no idea where it’s come from because it’s not in the film at all. Boooo!!!!

The Execution

The disaster itself happens twenty minutes into the film after all the main characters are introduced. In this respect the film is very true to the genres roots and it’s nice to get a quick look into all the characters lives before disaster strikes. When it does, the ten minute sequence is fantastic and very well shot with dramatic slow-mo’s and reaction shots. If you’re unfamiliar to Asian filming it may come across a bit overly dramatic but this type of editing is common place in Asian films. From there the five survivors battle against each other as much as the elements to survive in a sub-contained space that reminds me very much of how the film Cube worked. Pitting one antagonistic character off against the rest. Of course no film is a true disaster film without a child and this ones deaf! To be honest though, she is so adorable and non-whiny she is one of the best children in a disaster movie I’ve come across. The other story line features the rescue workers outside who are trying their best to get to survivors spurred on by the mum of the child left behind screaming at them and looking generally distraught for the majority of the film. Of course everyone’s related as well so that ups the stakes. Be prepared for lots of crying, lots of screaming, lots of high drama of “you’re our only hope”".

The Effects

The CGI of the tsunami is quite well done and the flash flood in the tunnel is really interesting to see. Where the film comes into its own is by using a lot of real water and large volumes. The flash flooding, particularly as the subways collapses is really well done – as are the sets of carnage afterwards. I was really impressed.

Why It’s Worth Watching

232 Sign Of Life is a very well made film. If you’re after pure effects, this won’t tick your boxes because a lot of the second half of the film actually ends up delving into the characters via flashbacks and revolves around the plot to get them out. This is more of a character driven disaster movie. The characters bar one are all likeable but flawed but you care about them and root them on. The only downside is there’s some really silly triumphant moments where about 100 rescue workers stand in awe while one man walks out carrying his friend. It’s all very Hollywood.

Best Death

**Spoilers** Not one of the main characters die. However the subway scene where people are washed away is really well done.

Favourite Character

The little girl Shiori (Ayane Omori) is simply adorable. Her moments towards the end of the film are heart wrenching.

Weirdest Moment

The finale is just a bit overly melodramatic and the last minute of the film made me chuckle as hundreds of rescue workers instead of helping, decide to just stare. Not very helpful at all!

Conclusion

I really enjoyed 252 Sign of Life. The obvious drinking game is to take a shot when someone cries or screams but to be fair for once that misses the point. Well made, although perhaps too melodramatic for its own good, 252 is well worth two hours of your disaster movie time.

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Film Review: Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus

Posted in Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 17, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

Oh The Asylum! Back with the “official sequel” as it says on the cover, Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus continues to show film making at it budget best. Although I must admit, the laughs are predictable now we’ve got used to the formula, there’s still much to cringe and laugh at.

The Premise

Mega Shark, not quite dead from its encounter with Giant Octopus last time out returns to face off against Crocosauras, this time hungry to eat all the poor crocs eggs she’s been laying all over the place.

The Disasters Faced

A synchronised swimming Mega Shark, a heavy footed Crocosauras, a lot of awful CGI, a volcano, some wayward accents and a broken cigar! (Noooo!!!)

The Execution

Now we know The Asylum cater to the b-movie fan base and here its very much by the numbers. If anything it’s actually relatively competent and having being spoilt by the absolutely dire Dinocroc Vs Supergator, that makes this film look big budget! The films relatively well paced although I feel the shark is very much a one trick pony this time round and its the croc that causes more carnage and fun. Both creatures are underused however and the film rehashes a lot of the originals set pieces but with little or no improvement. The script contains corkers such as a “Will I be able to smoke my black dragon?” from an Admiral and the acting is typically cheesy and overblown. I could not get my head around that the lead was not Jeff Fahey! It was like Gary Stretch was a brother from another mother but with an accent that has a world tour in 89 minutes. The females in the film all overact to the point of high school stage drama. Still all being said, when a film is quite clearly setting out to master this type of feel, it all clicks together in a perfectly awkward mess. That’s why we love them.

The Effects

The planes, missiles and ships are well done and the sets aren’t bad either. The Shark looks identical to the original and Croc’s feet slip even when he’s standing still. They could have got some plastic toys in the frame and things wouldn’t have looked much worse in some instances. More laughable is the volcano scene which is effectively someone using a fire transition from Sony Vegas as a film climax.

Why It’s Worth Watching

A shot for every time someone says Crocman or Sharkman. A shot for every leery comment our lead male makes (he’s disgusting). Watch out for gay porn star Dylan Vox whose character is named Butowski! That’s the best name for an ex gay porn star in history surely?!  However hats off for not including any kind of dodgy romance in the middle of the film! It’s all about the monsters baby!

Favourite Death

Amazingly this film is death toll light. I’ll go for the man who gets splattered at the beginning as when we return we’re treated to his remains of half and arm and leg that was left behind.

Favourite Character

Can I have the Crocosaurus? My biggest complaint was the lack of nice characters in the film as a whole. Croccy was at least protective her eggs!

Weirdest Moment

This film is stupidly nuke happy – stupidly so. There’s also absolutely no prior explanation or reason to blow up a volcano with a nuke either. Let’s just burn Hawaii to dust then shall we?! Failing that, our leading lady Hutchinson can take the weirdest moment with her lack of smile as she desperately trying to play the hard nut special agent but sexy silent all at once but actually comes across wooden and constipated throughout, making the film much better as a result!

Conclusion

I think I prefer the original, but this is worthy sequel. Next time though Asylum, let’s take the animals inland as I think that’ll breath new life into the franchise.

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Film Review: 102 Minutes That Changed America

Posted in 102 Minutes That Changed America with tags , , , , , , , , on September 11, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

102 Minutes That Changed America removes all the politics, all the side scandal and presents you with the raw materials. A collection of various tapes either omitted from TV camera crews or just from regular bystanders or neighbours nearby. This along with “9/11″, is one of the most powerful pieces of film I’ve ever witnessed.

Presented in a timeline format, the documentary takes place in almost real-time. Occasionally a clock appears in fade to blacks, occasionally we have audio snippets to give us perspectives that aren’t shown on-screen, be it 911 calls or radio activity from the fire crew. We literally go from start to end of the World Trade Centre attacks with these people as they watch in horror with us the events unfolding before them.

What’s interesting from a historical point of view is that so many unseen camera viewpoints are shown which makes this documentary stand quite unique. Some of the post collapse moments are truly terrifying. It also shows exactly what people were thinking at the exact time. Blind panic, fear, dread and immense sadness. It also shows the confusion as people talk about all different things they’ve heard along the way. Throughout the film, there is an ambient hum that meanders and fades in at specific times which usually works to excellent effect.

It’s very difficult to review a film like this because of the subject matter but the editing is absolutely superb and the concept of presenting everything in a single timeline is great as it keeps everything in perspective. The way how it’s literally edited clips and a bubbling undercurrent of ambience combined really means it’s about telling you what happened through the eyes of the world closest to the incident means that you can’t place a silly spin on it. This one really is to archive the footage and as harrowing as it is to watch, its important to never forget these important events that can shape a world.

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Film Review: United 93

Posted in United 93 with tags , , , , , , , on September 10, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

United 93 is the second well-known film centered around the fourth plane hijack. From the outset this film goes for as factual documentary style as possible by staying in the various communication centers and the plane itself. It’s a testament that several of the people actually play themself in the film as to how respectful and tastefully done it is.

In what feels like an almost realtime account of the events, we see each crash in turn from the people trying to manage the situation and exactly how impossible everyone’s job must have been on that day. The first hour centers around the general chaos of the morning itself as everyone shouts back and forth trying to make sense of events while the latter half focuses on the United 93 flight. This is where this adaptation is head and shoulders above the rest. By having some of the real people on the day being involved in the film, it lends credibility to what so many people like to have an opinion on.

The acting is superb throughout and there are no effects shots from outside the plane to put you off or take you outside of the general experience. It’s also filmed in a way that is dynamic but not intrusive – less camera shake wannabe documentary and more dirt and braces feel. It also doesn’t go tugging at heart-strings either by using the obvious things such as babies, the Lord’s Prayer (the moment that always gets me in Flight 93 yet I’m very aware that its being included for a reason) and a several goodbye calls but they are part of the films overall scope, not the whole scope.

I think United 93 knows that it could never fully include every single brave and heroic person and so includes very short snippets of lots of people and this makes a lot of sense. It’s not often I talk about extras on a DVD but United 93 makes a marked difference with two particular features. The first is a memorial section with a biography for each life lost on that flight. The second is an hour documentary about how the families have dealt with having such a high-profile disaster happening to them. It’s very interesting to hear what these people have to say and how they’ve formed a bond with each other as a new family as they mourn and pay tribute to their lost loved ones. Some of the actors meet with the families and it must have been an extremely surreal experience as they’ve matched physically the characters quite closely.

Ultimately I feel United 93 is the stronger film of the ones based on the ’93 plane. It displays everything in an understated way and although the last ten minutes, we will never entirely know what happened, it’s still done tastefully well. Add to that all the participation and support from the real people effected, it feels like this is the closest you can get to a supported recreation of the actual events.

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Film Review: Dinocroc Vs Supergator

Posted in Dinocroc Vs Supergator with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 14, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

Now I know some films embrace their b-movie side with great aplomb but Dinocroc Vs Supergator takes this to a whole new level. The acting is almost purposefully bad, the CGI is hilarious and the script looks like it’s doing a hop-skip-jump to miss story beats. So did I enjoy it? Hell yeah!

The Premise

Genetically enhanced Crocs and Gators escape a science compound on an Island and decide to go for lunch on the general public. Tasty!

The Disasters Faced

Giant hungry animals, offensively poor acting skills and a shoddy doctor who instead of helping someone having a heart attack just cries and screams at the guy instead.

The Execution

We know the drill in general with SyFy films, they’re outwardly awful – but that’s the whole point. They have now gained a cult following over time and while there’s not much in the way of new TV disaster movies or bigger budget ones being made elsewhere, these are tiding me over. I’d prefer bigger budget ones but there we go! Dinocroc Vs Supergator seems to go one further by blatantly laying on the crap-factor by setting up comical deaths and having a script that makes no sense at all. The acting standard really varies throughout. Watch as Delia Sheppard almost dares to show panic when the creatures escape as she almost raises her voice to say “everybody out”. It’s the opening line and I was already in stitches of laughter. Then the main actors Amy Raisimas and Corey Landis are revelling in their b-movie acting, laying it on very thick and hammy and then David Carradine is almost playing things in seriousness. The complete mixture of everything makes it so stilted its half the fun.

The Effects

One thing I will say about the film is that unlike a lot of these types of films, there’s actually quite a lot of animal action. There are lots of little scenes constantly interspersing the film and it does make things run along nicely. It’s also a lovely Island setting too. The effects are hilarious and there’s one particular death scene where a lady is bitten in half and the remaining half left behind is some of the funniest CGI of a dead / living / dying woman I’ve seen in a while!

Why It’s Worth Watching

For its tongue in cheek, we know its awful but hey ITS AWFUL attitude. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and it translates onto the screen.

Best Death

The aforementioned stupid “babes” who have the funniest death scene. I was howling so loud. Honourable mention for Jeff Rector who gets an entire building wall fall onto him.

Weirdest Moment

Quite frankly the leading duo have about thirty minutes together before they have a “don’t die now” snog and declare undying love. It comes from absolutely nowhere at all as they’ve not really flirted up to then either. I was a little shocked and gobsmacked  when it took place, least of all with a third-party watching.

Conclusion

You will either love it or loathe it, there’ll be no in-between. An absolute cult classic and bad film making and its all the better for committing fully to that route.

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Film Review: Battle: Los Angeles

Posted in Battle: Los Angeles with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 13, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

Aliens – when will they ever learn. Don’t go and place your central communications hub on Earth. In fact, just don’t have a central communications hub at all. It’s your downfall, it has in all movies and so is the case here in Battle: Los Angeles, an almost documentary style film on a war against aliens that’s full of a lot of action and not a lot else. It’s the perfect popcorn flick.

The Premise

Aliens are the order of the day as they come full force to take our water supply and eliminate us in the process.

The Disasters Faced

Guns, bombs, buses, knowing if you’re around Michelle Rodriguez that you’re probably next in the firing line to die or she is and one huge ass mothership!

The Execution

Taken from the recent fandom of going for realism and shaky camerawork, Battle: Los Angeles throws you right in the heat of the action. After we’re introduced to several characters who all seem friendly and human but have some conflicts between them, we’re thrown right into the action and it doesn’t stop until the credits role. Although its an end of the world film, its a war movie first and a disaster movie second. The generally cheesy but not completely overbaked commandery is rousing, the script is passable and the films pacing is well done. The camerawork sits nicely between shaky action and fixed position filmic shots and it doesn’t induce sickness that some people criticised Cloverfield over. Everything is dusty and gritty and although blood is kept to a minimum, the sweat and reactions on-screen are highly detailed and visible. If I were to pick holes, its at times hard to work out whose who as we start to lose characters thick and fast and suddenly someone who I thought had died was back on the screen again. Some of the characters blur a little into one but on second viewing I could distinguish characters easier. I also enjoyed that whole movie took place over a very short period of Earth time as it kept everything tight and compact and the film focused on giving hi-octane thrills and spills. Look elsewhere for character development.

The Effects

The aliens themselves are somewhat mute in their appearance and actions and strangely have muted presence in the film. It’s their ships and infantary that look spectacular, as does the general colour palette and decimation of sets. The bus set piece and police station sections are particularly well done but the whole film oozes effects from every nook and cranny. It really helps keep the pulse going and I can imagine it being a fantastic cinema experience.

Why It’s Worth Watching

For pure adrenaline pumping action, this has all your bases covered. It’s also a shock to see Michelle Rodriguez actually survive a film. I had her a sure pegged late in the day death. It’s also full of likeable characters. Usually you have some awful controlling characters but even the conflicting ones have their reasons and are painted grey instead of pure black. Obviously the effects are top-notch too. I just had a riot guessing who was next to drop and what situations they’d end up in next!

Best Death

There’s so many! I’m spoilt for choice but the sacrifice of Ramon Rodriguez complete with huge explosion of himself, a bus and a collection of aliens possibly wins the round!

Favourite Character

Perhaps tellingly, its hard to choose a favourite character as they all bleed into each other so I’m going to go for Bryce Cass who plays the boy Hector very well and despite having few lines, is an adorable kid who you desperately want to see safe at home.

Weirdest Moment

Having been on the ball to get all the way to the final battle, one of the squad decides to not bother to escape a spacecrafts missile and just stand there. It’s the typical “oh crap, I’m done for” pose, but with the amount of time it takes to sort itself out, there was plenty of time to jump and save himself. Aside from that, it’s another film where the world is incapable of winning until the good old American’s win the day and spread the word. Also, I’m sure one of the children they find disappears and reappears at random intervals.

Conclusion

Doing exactly what is says on the tin, this is all explosions, battles and warfare – almost computer game like. Some will love it, others will hate it’s on rails approach to rapid fire combat. I really soaked it up. Can’t tell you hardly any of the characters names, can’t tell you what really happened along the way but with nods to several movies before it (Aliens, Independence Day) it’s a real adrenaline junkies dream.

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Film Review: Raise the Titanic

Posted in Raise the Titanic with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 5, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

Whilst not technically a real disaster movie, “Raise the Titanic” falls into a strange category of film. It’s an action, adventure, drama based on a real disaster but without really dealing with any of the above. In what is a very confused film, there is little enjoyment to be had. Full steam ahead with the review then!

The Premise

In the name of America (hallelujah!) a new mineral is discovered that could revolutionize defense systems and it can only be found in one place in the entire world – the sunken Titanic. That’s going to be one hell of a rucksack to carry that over your shoulder. It’s time to raise the beast!

The Disasters Faced

Drownings, implosions, a lot of murky camera work and generally being anywhere near any of the leading characters as they’re all as likeable as athletes foot.

The Execution

Based from a Novel that I’ve never read, Raise the Titanic had a whopping $36 million budget. That’s three times the size of The Towering Inferno. The question I ask is where did it all go? In film of two distinct halves, the first is devoted to setting up several characters who will form part of the group to Raise the poor boat from the water. Interestingly Anne Archer and Alec Guiness are not in that team and simply feature for a couple of scenes. Why they are splattered all over the cover arts I’ve no idea. However, what all the characters also have in common is that none of them are likable in the slightest. The script and actors are overwrought with angst dialogue as everyone tries to show they’ve got bigger balls than the rest to the point where it becomes aggravating. A love triangles introduced only to be dropped unresolved half way. Everyone suddenly decides to work together bang on the half way mark. It’s like the directors had a tick sheet of what they felt needed to be shoved into a movie and then crammed it all in without rhyme or reason.

However while so much emphasis is given to all these unlikable characters, very little is given to the real star of the show itself – the Titanic. The best and most coherent moments in the film are about the ship itself and even though it’s factually incorrect, the model itself is impressive – but never exploited. It’s all about the mineral and that’s where the film goes so very wrong for me. If everyone disregards the huge scale of that event if it were to ever happen as they do in the movie, it makes everyone seem like tasteless jerks. As a result I couldn’t care for the plot, the characters or the conclusion.

The Effects

The model used for the Titanic was the biggest model used ever at that time and it looks good even if time hasn’t been massively kind to the effects. Where I assume the budget went was in the underwater photography which is eerie and beautiful at the same time. Some of it is very murky but then that’s what I’d expect. The submersible scenes are well executed too.

Why Its Worth Watching

The story is awful, the characters dull but the set piece of the raising itself is well done. Any Titanic interest can be found in the inaccuracies – some quite large. I was most interested in the film from this historical angle. As a film on its own merit, it doesn’t really do anything wrong – it’s just a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Best Death

No named characters die so the best death sequence is when a leaking sub implodes on itself. Rather nasty stuff!

Favourite Character

The Titanic itself. None of the humans are worthy of the vote. They are all that bad!

Weirdest Moment

The Titanic pops out of the Ocean with three masts and not one that it went down with.

Conclusion

I was left frustrated at what could have been. Raise the Titanic appeared to miss the whole point of the film. Aside from the beginning montage of pictures and the actual docking scenes themselves, its like they could have raised a rubber dingy out the water and had the same reaction. Add in characters from hell and a general dullness across the board and Raise the Titanic is hard to recommend.

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Film Review: Meteor Storm

Posted in Meteor Storm with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 24, 2011 by Higher Plain Music

From the director of Megasnake and Spiders 3D… ok we know what we’re letting ourselves in for then! Actually, for once I was pleasantly surprised – Meteor Storm has plenty of faults but it has its heart in the right place and is actually quite enjoyable indeed!

The Premise

A big meteor shower that’s meant to just be pretty turns nasty when the meteors containing a new element yet to be discovered fall from the sky. With each passing storm, things deteriorate. Yay!

The Disasters Faced

Meteors, comets, falling buildings, falling bridges, falling everything, a news crew that MUST GET THAT SHOT and bad mobile reception.

The Execution

Despite (in spite?) the directors legendary credentials Meteor Storm is a very tightly wound movie. The opening segment see’s an opening mini storm which sets up everything and introduces us to a collection of people. Of course we have the all new ideal family – separated parents who we know will be back together by the end, stupid children who do things like run off on their own and use lifts in a burning building (oh dear) and a news duo who will do anything to get a story. All the characters are heavily clichéd but in an endearing way. The leading duo do a remarkably good job of having internal dramas without everything becoming soap opera and the films much better for this.  No one is grating aside from the new reporter and you know he’ll get his comeuppance at some point. The film basically follows a storm – aftermath – science bit – revelation wheel several times before the finale. This ensures things aren’t stale and the science parts are kept down to small bite size chunks. The plot itself is silly and there’s some real problems with general character IQ levels – the children especially – but it’s all harmless fun.

The Effects

The meteor sections are fun to watch because some of the CGI is awful – especially the orange explosions. What’s worse is the green screen effects where you can see how things have not been blended well and things look really 2D. In fact the green screen is some of the ropiest I’ve seen in a while. Where things do pick up are in the bigger set pieces. The collapse of the Golden Gate is done well and so is the collapse of the huge tower block.

Why It’s Worth Watching

Meteor Storm has a decent amount of action. There’s two good set pieces, a fair amount of destruction for a low-budget flick and good tension throughout. The acting is above average for this type of film and that does a lot to make it so much more credible. There’s an abnormal amount of eye candy as well for men and women. There’s also a glint of enjoyment as you watch people doing things that defy all logic whatsoever and also spotting the massive continuity problems such as people being surrounded in traffic as they try to get out the city while the lead male chats happily next to a quiet street where cars roam freely. Other things include the Golden Gate bridge only being open one way despite a city evacuation (with traffic flowing into the city), man of motorcycles get saluted by armed guards for no reason and helicopter pilots sit stunned watching their ‘copters explode while civilians rush to help.

Best Death

Two main characters die. I’ll go for poor Laura who goes in the big Golden Gate Bridge disaster. After crashing her car, instead of climbing out the window she decides to just shout and scream for five minutes before remembering there’s a window or boot to crawl out of and promptly and deservedly splashes into the river down below. A shame though, all she ever did was help the entire time – confirming the never be too nice theory in disaster movies – you will be bumped off!

Favourite Character

This is a real close one. Camera lady Lena (Lara Golchrist) wins as she is great with her one liners throughout as the comic relief. She hits the dry humour well and manages to get away with lines that shouldn’t really work in a script. However just behind Harper (Carmen Moore) who is severely underused in this film. In every scene she’s in she’s eating, looking disinterested in all that’s going on and like she just wants to be left alone with her pizza! Great.

Weirdest Moment

At the first meteor wave poor Jack is hit by a Meteor (I assume – it’s never explained). He then spends the entire film unable to get medical attention! For some reason the children take the entire night and morning to walk vaguely about down populated streets with flowing traffic stating they can’t get to the hospital. When they eventually get there, they give up because there’s a road block. Eventually instead of getting medical treatment Jack then wanders home and takes some pain killers and falls asleep and is left in a crumbling building. This then means our brave children, too lazy to take the stairs up 26 levels to get to him and rescue him decide to use the lift in a burning, crumbling building. Go figure. They then get stuck and cause the rest of the cast to turn up! The whole set up is one of the worst constructed plot devices I’ve ever come across and is utterly hilarious because of it.

Conclusion

Meteor Storm is elevated from utter tosh by its credible acting, tightly paced flow and some characters whose decisions are so stupid you have to watch to see what situations their ineptness takes them next. Coming in at a tight hour and a half, its fun, mindless and cheesy but instead of outwardly going for that edge like say Megasnake, this disaster movie straddles seriousness with silly and gets the tone spot on for its budget. Much better than your average TV disaster flick.

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