Mutant Chronicles

I didn't expect much when I saw the title, the name mutant in the title is never a good sign, but I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was really great, being a historian I really enjoyed the weird mix of Great War, cyberpunk and post-WWII United States. Reminded me of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, just not that shiny. The feeling of hopelessness and despair was clearly visible. The characters were typical, no big thumbs up for this one, but not shallow. People who watch movies for the little things like the tone of blood and the color of guts might be disappointed, but for an average movie-goer like me, who goes to the movies for entertainment, not slaughterhouse atmosphere, the special effects were nice. For everyone who still hasn't seen it, the atmosphere is the key in this movie.

Yep its derivative, full of clichés, underdeveloped characters, but its still great fun and full of B movie goodness. Visually stunning and imaginative production design and great special effects combine to create what will no doubt become a minor cult classic over time.

I thought I was watching a video game after 5 Min's, partly due to the filming process (100% digital) and the colours (or lack there of). The blood is almost scarlet which give it an almost erotic feel.

Tension is used effectively and the film moves quickly enough, Thomas Jane is still good to watch (cant forget his performance in The Mist). Also Sean Pertwee puts in a solid performance as well. There is plenty of action, some great fight scenes, and some creepy moments - but that's your lot! Keep your expectations low and you'll enjoy it for what its! The whole retro mix of world war I and future technology is truly worth watching alone, and cant wait to see this in HD.

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.

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.

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)