El genio del mal

I really enjoyed "Doctor Mordrid". This is a low-budget film, which may be off-putting to some, but I have no problem with it. I admire it even more for that, considering it's WAY more entertaining than the drivel that Hollywood churns out every year. Too bad this didn't get a theatrical release; I don't know about anyone else, but I would have went to see it in theatres. `Doctor Mordrid' is a very entertaining science fiction film that just about anyone can enjoy, especially if they're into sci-fi like I am. I don't see why this is a R-rated film; only one f-word is said, and there are no gruesome death scenes, nor is there any blood at all. The timeless rivalry between sorcerers Anton and Kabal (Anton wanted the use his powers to save the human race, while Kabal wanted to enslave them), gave the story a sense of enchantment, while the mythical plotline added charm to the story itself. Basically, this a film that's just plain fun to watch. There is one unintentionally funny thing in this movie, though: seeing Jeffrey Combs keeping a straight face while wearing that silly blue cape and suit. That makes me laugh every time I see it. But I digress... Anyway, the acting is great; the main protagonists (Anton, and his lady friend, Samantha), are very likable; Anton is sympathetic, and hospitable, and Samantha is friendly. Plus, the settings were wonderful. The floating island in the other dimension was very cool setting; we're only given a glimpse of it twice, though; it would have been great to see more scenes take place here. The main setting was also very neat; Anton's apartment is very roomy, and he has some cool devices, especially the monitoring system he uses to keep track of the world's occurrences. He even has a pet raven that he keeps in his apartment named Edgar. Overall, this a great film; it was fun to watch, and the main actors put a lot of feeling into their roles. If you can find anywhere that rents `Doctor Mordrid', you should rent it (or, in my case, buy it. It was definitely money well-spent)!

My Rating: 8 stars out of ten.

The story of two 'brothers' battling it out over the fate of the world is always a promising mythical theme. However, the film fails to do more with the story than rehash the typical 'good' vs 'evil' idea. This is a particular waste since Jeffrey Combs' strength lies in playing complex characters, rather than whitebread heroes. There was scope in this story to explore issues of human prejudice and the obligations of power, and to flesh out Kabal's motivations more. However, the straightforward story left the plot feeling a little spare. Nonetheless, some of the sets were nice (eg. Mordrid's study), Yvette Nipar and Jay Acovone do a good job as the conflicting police workers, and any movie with Jeffrey Combs in 90% of the scenes is worth taking a look at.

Doctor Mordrid is one of those rare films that is completely under the radar, but is totally worthwhile. It really reminds me of the old serials from the 30s and 40s. Which is why I'd have loved to see follow-up movies... but judging by the rest of Full Moon's output there simply weren't enough tits to satisfy the typical audience. Unfortunately, thanks to a completely superfluous sacrifice scene there two too many for a family audience - which is unfortunate, because without em' this could have been a Harry Potter-style magicfest that kids would have eaten up. Both Jeffrey Combs and Yvette Nipar are great - I wasn't sure if Ms. Nipar hadn't wandered off an A-list picture onto this film, she was very believable. No, seriously! Anyway - it's a shame they didn't have the bucks to license Dr. Strange, because I think this could have been a total kiddie phenom.

It follows the story of the talented Doctor Mordrid (Jeffrey Combs), a suspect inhabitant at a block of apartments. An unspeakable evil has come into our dimension and wants to rule over Earth, and only a mysterious sorcerer known as Doctor Mordrid can stop him. Mordrid must put ego aside and develop the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Doctor Mordrid, helped by his neighbour Samantha Hunt (Yvette Nipar), must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilising a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect Earth and the universe against his nemesis Kabal (Brian Thompson). Open your mind !. Change your reality !. Question reality !. Change your destiny !. The impossibilities are endless!. Expand your mind !.

A trilling and fantastic film in which a battle of wits takes place between two immensely powerful sorcerers from the 4th dimension, both of whom cross over into present time with two very different missions -one wants to destry Earth, one wants to save it. Fantasy and science fiction come together in this imitation of 'Marvel's Doctor Strange' with well-known actors from the best B-series: Jeffery Combs (Re-animator) and Brian Thompson (Cobra). Jeffrey Combs and Brian Thompson are popular in the Star Trek universe, guest starring in multiple episodes and both acted in a same episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. Jeffrey Combs plays the powerful sorcerer Doctor Mordrid, whose mission on Earth, for more than a century, is to be prepared for the lethal attack of the Lord of Death and the first signs of his arrival have just occurred. The film produced by 'Full Moon', the distributor and producer of low-budget horror and fantasy films created by Charles Band, who here also serves as writer and co-director along with his father Albert Band.

It contains traditional special effects by means of stop-motion, in the wake of Ray Harryhausen; in fact, there's a spectacular fight between a bony Tiranosaurius Rex and a skeletal Mamouth. In addition, a rousing and spectacular musical score by Richard Band, 'Full Moon' and 'Empire' regular composer. The motion picture was mediocrely but professionally directed by veteran filmmaker, Albert Band; he was one of Hollywood's most prolific directors who started his career in the early 50s and continuing the legacy, his son, the equally prolific producer/director Charles Band. Albert Band began financing a number of motion pictures through the sixties, seventies, and eighties decades and helped his son, Charles, to bring together his own production company, 'Empire Pictures', in the early eighties. Upon the collapse of Empire Pictures in the early nineties, Band continued to work with his son and help bring a number of low-budget and medium budget films to the Hollywood screen or direct to video releases. Albert Band directed some Westerns, such as : ¨She came to the Valley¨, ¨Massacre at Grand Canyon¨, ¨The Young Guns¨ and ¨The Tramplers ¨ at his best . Furthermore, he made terror and Sci-fi , such as : ¨Aliens Gone Wild , Prehisteria , Prehisteria 2 , Robot War , Ghoulies II , Satán's Dog¨ and all kind of genres. While his son Charles Band has written/produced/directed a lot of films, such as: ¨The Creeps, Hideous, Dollman vs demonic toys, Puppet master, Crash and burn, Trancers , Trancers II: the return of Jack Deth, Dungeonmaster, Metalstorm: the destruction of Jared Syn, Parasite, The alchemist¨. Rating : 5.5/10, acceptable and passable . The flick will appeal to Jeffrey Combs fans, worthwhile watching for his followers, that's why he's an actor that has a 'cult status'.

Its a Full Moon production with Jeffrey Combs, both of which were at the top of their game. Problem being Jeffrey Combs is an amazing actor and everyone else in the film is pretty stiff (except the Dr. Strange character is supposed to be stiff). Originally a kids film they shoved some nudity and gore into to take a voluntary R for the home video market.

Pros: The sets are actually pretty good. Look at Doctor Mordrid's apartment and see how much the New Dr. Who ripped them off. (keep in mind this film was Micro-Budget)

Brian Johnson - the muscle-man actor most famous for being the bad guy in "Cobra" and playing the Alien Bounty Hunter in X-Files. Actually seems the least confused of all the cast.

Jeffrey Combs - the all-time pro at turning nothing into something without hamming it up. This movie fails, but not for lack of craft.

Cons: KIDS MOVIE: Full Moon was trying to branch out of direct-to-video horror and got cold feet right before this went into production. After losing the Dr. Strange license they threw everything against the wall hoping it would stick. See "Shrunken Heads" if you want to see their "real" attempt at a kids movie.

Not Dr. Strange - on the script rewrite they had to put in their own muddled mythology. Very Very strange. Not sure if it was supposed to be injected into the same universe as the other Full Moon movies.

No sequel! Truly a travesty of justice! I'll throw them a couple grand for a Dr. Mordrid vs Re-animator movie!