Island Zero

Was drawn into seeing 'Island Zero' with a cool poster/cover, a very intriguing and creative premise and as someone with a general appreciation for the genre. That it was low-budget, which from frequent personal experience is rarely a good sign due to that there are so many poor ones out there, made me though apprehensive.

'Island Zero' is a film it doesn't do enough with its potential (although there are far bigger wastes of potential in film) and could have been much better, can't say that it is a great film because it isn't. It is not a terrible film though, as far as recent low-budget film viewings go it's better than most but with good things. It certainly could have been far worse, considering the large number of films seen recently being mediocre at best and irredeemably terrible at worst.

Lets start with the positives. The scenery is atmospheric and spooky and 'Island Zero' is surprisingly well shot considering the budget. The music is ominous.

Found that the acting was not bad, while not award-worthy it was not amateurish and it seemed like the actors were trying to engage. The direction has assured parts.

Also that there were a few nice moments that intrigued and there was some suspense, frightening horror and unsettlement, the first portion is promising.

The suspense and unsettlement doesn't come consistently however, with the second half not having enough of either. What stops them from being frequent and stronger is an at times deadly dull pace with too many overlong scenes of little going on, not all necessary either and there for padding mainly, and also a structure that is not as cohesive or clear as it could have been. The less suspense and sense of horror there is, the more senseless and ridiculous it gets, the ending is ludicrous. Part of me felt it could have been more claustrophobic with the close-knit setting and community, some of the film feels too safe and restrained for such a dire situation.

'Island Zero's' idea was great but the content didn't always feel enough for a feature film. It feels more like a short film over-stretched at times. The over-stretched sense is present too in a rushed-first-draft-stage and talky script and a pace that goes overkill on the slow burning. With a pace and structure that fails to compel it is very difficult to ignore.

Characters have very little to them, while the budget limitations show in the editing, which is careless at times, and especially the effects, which look afterthought-like.

Overall, not an easy film to rate or review. Not awful, not much to get excited about. 5/10 Bethany Cox

This movie by all accounts was a good film. I tend to steer clear of indie horror films albeit this film wasn't very scary but it would fall into the horror genre, Usually these films are written horribly and the acting is so below par I can't get through the first 15 minutes but watching "Island Zero" from the beginning was not the case by any means.. The acting and pace of this film was well performed and intelligent. Not rocket science but just enough so that it seemed very believable and witty. The budget clearly was independent level hence the special effects but it was all done in a respectable manner not frivolous. Theres no big names in this film which even gives it a more authentic feel like they really used some locals off the island..

My one gripe is this film could have been 15-20 mins. Shorter but in all honesty I would prefer they took time like they did explaining whats happening instead of some films having no clue and just leaving it up to our imagination to fill in the blanks.. All in All I would say this was a pretty good film to watch and definitely high remarks being on a shoe string budget.. Congrats.

I liked the premise of the movie and went in not expecting much more than a crap movie, I wasn't surprised. Bad acting all around. Bad cinematography. Plot holes, and horrible music. Ridiculous ending, Don't waste your time

Great concept, but low budget film. Decent acting from the two leads and the "old lady" character actor was great! I was impressed by the story and started to think that this could easily become a cult classic. I also started to imagine what if a big studio picked this up and poured a few million dollars into and remade it with better special effects? Laila Robins is awesome and I would definitely love to see her reprise her role in a big budget remake with a better supporting cast and fleshed out script. Kudos all around... I enjoyed the movie for what it was despite the fact it had the potential to be so much more.

Island Zero is a film with a clever idea that is reasonably original that's constrained by an obviously limited budget.

The story line mixes an aquatic terror concept with issues of climate change that works quite well and is intelligently executed. The acting is mixed but at its best certainly decent and by no means a "reading off score card" moment you see from some films with a limited budget and casting choices.

Regrettably though the lack of funding shows through in the nominal and rather mediocre special/creatures effects. Given the emphasis of this film too decent special effects are important and their absence is sorely missed.

Had this film had more $$ to amp up the horror quotient I think it could have really been quite good. As it stands, moderately watchable but also anti climatic. 5/10 from me.