Fundamental

The word " Fundamental " is defined as " A central primary/rule/principal on which something is based " The word often crops up when religion is discussed . It's also used erroneously when describing non believers as " fundamental atheists " when no such thing exists ? How do I mean ? As Richard Dawkins - himself often described as a " fundamental atheist " - is quick to point out there's no such thing as fundamental atheism . All atheists are open minded enough to believe in a God if there was evidence . So far there has not been the slightest evidence whatsoever there's a God or afterlife in any shape or form and in a world that has given us the text of Marx and Darwin it's very difficult to believe in God though we ( Atheists ) are more than happy to be proved wrong . Would a Jihadist be happy to see their opinion changed ? No , because they're fundamentalists who through their social conditioning won't listen to evidence . You see the point I'm making ?

FUNDAMENTAL is a New Zealand film that according to this website uses this principal as its premise . To quote the summary " A small group of scientists are called in for a weekend of potentially historic research that spirals into a nightmare of fanaticism as we witness the lengths to which some people will go to defend their beliefs " so it has all the makings of a good and perhaps cerebral psycho-thriller . Unfortunately the production doesn't live up to it's potential

Oh tell me more Theo , you've got me fundamentally intrigued

Well to be fair to director Bill Hunt it's his first film after spending a few years working in some massive productions and they don't get more massive than LORD OF THE RINGS and AVATAR so he handles things like camera work , editing and sound mix very well . The downside is he's working with a cast who are quite simply awful . When the Maori security guard opened his mouth and started delivering his lines in the manner of a bored ten year old appearing in the school play which led me to believe he was a real life security guard with the thespian skills of a snooker cue . As the film progressed it became obvious that he was Daniel Day Lewis compared to the rest of the cast who are mainly making their first - and probably last - appearance in a cinematic release . Supposedly the actors are playing characters whose very mortal lives are in peril but I've seen Christopher Hitchens giving a lecture show more fear than the people here . The villains are just as bad . If you want a non actor playing a religious maniac you could do worse than phone up the God Channel and ask Pat Robertson if he wants to star in a movie

I found this film searching roles of Lawrence Makoare, who is J.T., the security guard for the facility. The premise is one that's been done many times before: scientists studying something and things go wrong whether through their choices, the study subject itself or an outside force. Irritation simmers between two of the three scientists, only one of whom is even half way believable in the profession, and belief systems and religion is at the heart of the disagreement. The argument is exacerbated as they discover what might be new life developing.

Camera-work is very amateurish at times, but I gathered that was the intent:, as the story is filmed rather as a "day-in-the-life-of" as you see characters going about their work. Eventually, there is an obvious attempt to suggest all is not right at this facility with its many no-go zones and hazardous spots. When outside concerted efforts, highly suspicious and vaguely threatening despite the subjects quotation of Bible verse, everyone becomes concerned. Security cameras are methodically blacked out after showing intruders moving through the building and we are soon introduced to "their" philosophy about the enforcement of their god's will. Thus begins the scientists' need to forget their differences, cooperate and somehow survive. Viewers are supplied with a twist, however, if you keep watching.

Admittedly, acting seems rather stiff, alternating between over and under, but like many such productions, the script itself was limiting and uninspired. Much is assumed to be understood, as the concept isn't complex, but having some character background and build-up for the motivation of this scientific siege would have gone a long way in making this better and engaging viewers. I felt Makoare was later brilliant in "The Dead Lands" (2015), speaking his native language, but was ordinary in "Fundamental" (2012). Just the same, it was watchable, surpassing a few other low budget sci-fi (almost) thrillers, but just nothing remarkable. If you have 120 mins to spare for an "occasional glance" type flick and expectations aren't too high, "Fundamental" isn't the worst choice.