Phase IV

Dean Cain plays an ex high school football star turned journalist with Navy Seal training. Yes, seriously. I can't make this up. He stumbles upon a conspiracy when his doctor friend is accused of a murder, but then is killed himself. Further digging reveals college students linked to the dead doc, diseases and the bent pharmaceutical industry.

Brian Bosworth is the crooked detective in charge of making it all go away and tying up loose ends. Canadian actor Nigel Bennett (Forever Knight) plays the flicks corrupt politician tied to the drug company. The story pulls no punches while offering up the standard checklist of car chases, foot chases, few explosions, expendable supporting characters, a bad line or two of dialog.

Halifax, Nova Scotia stands in for New England, USA so quite a list of recognizable locations to be spotted for anyone who's ever lived there. Otherwise being a fan of Cain, Bosworth or willing to shut off your brain and enjoy this nonsense is a must. A pretty standard dtv actioner of it's day nothing is super painful, but also not many surprises on hand.

I enjoyed the movie. Think of why a company, with stockholders, is in business. They are in business to produce a profit, which means to provide a consumable item, and continue to have "repeat" consumers. Drug companies are the same. They also have a lot of money, power, and a powerful lobby. It has been said that they control the FDA. There are cures for virtually all diseases, however, not by FDA definition. Cures can only come from "drugs". Natural herbs can not be a "cure" because they can not be patented, and therefore be a cure. No one is going to spend the billion dollars to get FDA approval for a herb that costs pennies or a couple dollars. Spending 1 billion to create a drug which has a slightly different make up, and selling it for $20+ per pill, only makes financial sense for a drug company. So, if they stumble on a cure, you can bet your bottom dollar, it will never see the light of day. You have to wonder how many government officials are shareholders of drug companies and have influence. Don't believe the drug ads too much, except the part they have to list the "complications" that may arise. So, I believe this movie to be one to open the eyes of the viewer. Much like Erin Brockovich and other "expose" movies and books.

I can't believe anyone watched this movie!!! Three of my friends acted in it and they all got wasted............including the bad guy who got crushed in the car accident. This production helped a lot of Halifax industry people pay the bills that summer of 2001 so I have to give it at least a five. And it was hilarious that all the bad guys would ride around in one car together. That car was thrown off a condemned Ultramar gas station downtown Halifax. Right across from the Trailer Park Boys production house. Thats if anyone actually cares. Also, most of the Canadian actors have been dubbed over with Yank voices for international release. They really Honkified poor old Glenn.

A new spin of your typical evil scientist movie who want to take over the world type of story which it introduces the concept of an evil pharmaceutical company who has a cure for AIDS but makes more money not releasing the cure so people are not cured. An incredibly and irresponsibly bad and predictable sophomoric script in this movie starring Dean Cain and Brain Bosworth actually has you wanting to see more just to see how bad and predictable it can get. Dean Cain is severely beaten up by four hooligans, yet his wife and child in tow approach him after the fight inquiring, "Are you OK?" From the white haired United States Senator, the black leather wearing hooligans, the nerdy scientist the characters throughout the movie are very TV movie like are stereotypical and uncompelling. The plot introduces many twists and turns which in the end are unresolved. The spectacular panoramic views of a craggy Halifax, Nova Scotia coast momentarily divert your attention from the incredulity of the plot.

One of my guilty pleasures is The Marine. Not a great movie, but fun nonetheless. This is not The Marine, as Heather Mathieson is no Kelly Carlson. Dean Cain is certainly no John Cena either, but he did give a credible performance as an ex-jock (and Navy Seal) who was now a journalism student working on a college paper when his lifelong buddy dies.

Conspiracy theorists would have a field day with this film about a cure for AIDS that is covered up by multiple deaths so the pharmaceutical companies can go on looking for cures and selling pills.

There are some exciting car chases and crashes, lots of killings, some good explosions, and bad guys galore. Cain is all alone in fighting them all off to find the truth and save his family.

Oh, have some popcorn and enjoy.