Surveillance

I had been dying to see this movie, mainly because I'm a huge fan Of Nick Cornish and I wasn't disappointed with his role at all. My gripe was with Armand Assante. I could barely understand a word he said! But overall, I think the movie lacked several things. It could have been great. It needed more scare factor, a little more romance. I little more of the nasty stuff. Just a little more of everything, I guess. Still, it was watchable. The acting was good, other than Assante's dialogue. His fellow Americans probably didn't find it an issue, but being a Brit, found it really hard going. Managed to get this movie on DVD (all be it Region 1. Technology, a wonderful thing ;))

Does one security guard with an assistant cover an entire mall, including every department store, and payroll, and computer security? Seems like a stretch. Nick Cornish was great, but casting a 30 year old to play a college student is pushing it. Speaking of 30-something, would 32-year old Laurie Foster be the acting manager of the entire mall? Okay, I can look past those scenarios. But what's up with the horror scenes? There is never any finality to the scene with the living mannequin. What happens to the bodies of the tortured victims? Finally, how does someone grow their hair that long in such a hurry (maybe a wig)? Entertaining, but needed some closure.

Harley is a reclusive mall security guard whose life's obsession is to apprehend potential shoplifters through a state-of-the-art electronic surveillance network. Trouble is, the would-be shoplifters mysteriously disappear. Dennis, Harley's young apprentice, starts to dig into the shady past of his introvert boss. What he discovers is not very pleasant.

The concept behind "Surveillance" escapes the stereotypical clichés of the genre. The movie is solidly built around a robust script with emphasis on plot and character development rather than special effects. Armand Assante delivers a convincing performance as the enigmatic Harley. Direction is by legendary director Fritz Kiersch, whose credits include the cult horror classic "Children of the Corn." The producers include none other than Academy Award winner Gray Frederickson, whose resume boasts "Apocalypse Now" and the "Godfather" series. The production was filmed for very little money in Oklahoma City. Especially notable is the production design by Rebekah Bell and the art department who managed to pull off a credible job on a shoestring budget.

I found it in DVD rental, and took it in lack of better promises. It started interesting, and was good until some 60%. But ending is very disappointing. Nothing is explained, dead bodies just appear everywhere... It looks that producer(s) ran out of money (or ideas?). There were some minor clues to explain Assante's characters behavior, but all it was not enough for build story (and of course character). Even romantic relation between rookie and blondie was interrupted - just like that :(

With better ending it could be solid thriller.

Acting was good for this level of production. Watch it only if appears on TV.

when the first few scenes show video surveillance cameras mounted to the walls without any coaxial cables or power connected to the cameras. Similarly, the cameras are all monochrome (black & white) instead of color, even though the security office uses nice flat-screen monitors. (Yes, I'm in the business.) I have to agree, too, with the other reviewers who have pointed out that not many corporations hire people with criminal records specifically for their own security operations.

This is a very over-the-top movie, with some suspense thrown into the mix, but it is just totally unbelievable. I think it might actually make a nice subject for MST3K.