Mutant Chronicles

So, going into this film, I was not expecting to much. However, after watching this film, I can say I was impressed. There were good actors with Okay rolls. I also have to say, this is what CG effects and backdrops were used for, to give low budget films the interesting environments and effects without killing the budget.

To say the least about this film, it ranks as a top notch SyFy Channel movie. Yes, there are a couple movies on that channel that were good films, and this would be comparable, at the least, to them.

Admittedly, you don't really "feel" for many of the characters, other than Sgt. Hunter. His character, of course, was the primary of the bunch, so that makes sense. The remainder of the cast is just for support, and add for drama.

I have to say, I would like to see a sequel, considering how the film ended. I won't go into that as not to spoil anything.

It's hard not to notice the parallels between "The Mutant Chronicles" and "Aliens": a team of soldiers, plus a few outsiders with deeper knowledge of the subject, are sent on a suicide mission (not to outer space but) deep beneath the surface of the earth to destroy (not bloodthirsty alien monsters and their source but) bloodthirsty zombie mutants and their source. The film is not quite as good as "Aliens", but it's still a serviceable B-movie. Visually it succeeds in creating its own, richly detailed and impressively designed, world: that includes the mutants themselves, who have one of their arms extended to a huge claw that can cut human flesh to pieces. The action itself, however, is a bit too chaotically edited: sometimes things happen and you don't have enough time to see how they happened, or a battle takes place and you're not absolutely sure who is hitting whom. This seems to be a recent trend in action movies (the latest Bond film "Quantum Of Solace" really suffers from it), and I hope they reverse it soon. The cast is good, though the characters are definitely not as memorable as those of "Aliens". Ron Perlman's best moments come near the end, while Devon Aoki and Anna Walton are unconventionally attractive and fully combative female leads. (**1/2)

I watched this film because Ron Perlman's in it and i'm always buoyed by seeing a man who looks like a gorilla act so well. I had no idea it's based on some kind of role-playing franchise, and frankly, i'm glad i didn't. To be honest i probably wouldn't have watched it if i did. After having just sat through it, i thought i should add a positive review because well, i liked it. I was a good film. The Mutant Chronicles did kind of remind me of Lord Of The Rings (bite your lips fanboys) because it got the plot out of the way pretty early on and the rest of the film was essentially spent trying to achieve the one valiant act that will save the day/world. Whereas LOTR is spread out over nine hours of character development (boy howdy are they noble, eh?) and beautiful scenery, The Mutant Chronicles chooses the less trodden path of gunfire, disposable characters and mutants. The film takes place in 2127 in a dystopian future where two of the four corporations who run the world accidentally let loose an ancient evil into the world. Cue some wacky bloodthirsty mutants overrunning the general population and generally being a nuisance. As the rich survivors escape to Mars, a small group of nihilistic ass-kickers and religious nuts travel to the centre of the Earth to stop the catastrophe, showcasing an amazingly short grieving process along the way. Just about every location is computer generated. Rather well i thought, though i know there are those who strongly disagree. The shortcomings of the CGI are helped along by a very dark look and feel with a fairly monochrome palette being preferred with the exceptions of some reds and blues (think Sin City). The Mutant Chronicles may well be a minor stylistic triumph, not letting itself get bogged down in plot, character development and all that important stuff. It seems as though the film makers settled on making it a pretty cool movie. And it is.

Got this title by chance in the local BB trying to add to my rent amount to get a free one and was pleasantly surprised; while it does have some flaws. They are not really annoying as in most recent ones. It is a good epic with likable characters, a bit on the stereotype range though -that German did have a penchant for explosives- but still they managed to integrate a believable rat pack for the mission with their cultural differences hinted who do not have everything laid for them. Favorite phrase "you "think"is that sort of device?" "Well the prophesy book is not really an instruction manual" whose names I actually managed to remember by the end of the movie. While is not a masterpiece it does deserve a sequel which anyone who liked Riddick and that sort of action movies will enjoy.

This is definitely one of the best, all-out sci-fi action movies i have ever seen, with all the characteristics of a classic B-Movie; static characters, simple yet effective plot, actually good one-liners, super-digital CGI (helps give the classic feel), and best of all; enough bloody, nasty, and violent action that makes this a great watch! Out of all the characters, Thomas Jane's performance is actually quite good, filling in the shoes of a good character that you can remember and come to like, surprisingly. The run time is good, doesn't drag anything out, but one BIG disappointment was the special "Director's Cut" released on DVD; it's not nearly as good as the theatrical version!! But even so, this is a definite must watch for all sci-fi/action/horror fans because in the end, this movie is a fun ride that needs no expectations except to know that the action and suspense cover for all the flaws 7.5/10 Stars***