Beyond

BEYOND is a supernatural thriller / police procedural film set in Alaska. When a little girl goes missing, the police bring in an expert in such cases (Jon Voight). Things get interesting when a radio / TV psychic gets involved.

Unexplainable events occur indicating possible paranormal activity.

While the story is decent, what makes this movie watchable is Voight. He soars above the material. Otherwise, it would be just another run-of-the-mill, PG-13 spooker...

Haunted by a case from his past an Alaskan detective due for retirement must find a kidnapped girl and reluctantly enlists the help of a psychic who is also a prime-suspect.

It's nice to see John Voight in a lead role where he belongs instead of a supporting cast player. Voight effortlessly carries the film on has shoulders. Director Josef Rusnak's Beyond while not as atmospheric as Insomnia (2002) or as stylish as his own Thirteenth Floor (1999) presents an entertaining mystery/thriller with a psychic element. The supporting cast are a mixed bag (some oddly misplaced and awful) but thankfully Jodie Foster-like Teri Polo and Dermot Mulroney as Jack Musker are reliable and solid.

It's well filmed, competently put together with writer Gregory Gierasa putting forward an interesting premise, even if it loses it gust slightly in the closing act especially in the reveal. Nevertheless, its satisfying enough thanks to Voight's principle role as Jon Koski.

After a seven-year-old with an 'imaginary' friend gets kidnapped, it's put high on the rader since she's the police chief's niece. So Detective John (Jon Voight),who's wrestling with demons from his past, reluctantly teams up with a TV physic, whom has wormed himself into the investigation, to find her.

This movie is only marginally watchable because of Voight. Everything else about the film is decidedly sub-par, be it the awful acting or the easily predictable plot 'twists'. I found myself glancing at my watch multiple times (never a good sign)

My Grade: C-

*** EDIT (2016-11-10) I happened to be re-reading about this film and I saw my review here and that it had a rather poor 6/12 rating with readers. Heh... they were bloody right! Gawd-awful review, sorry about that... So, I amended it and tried to improve it so that HOPEFULLY it might actually be of some help to those who want to know more about the movie.

***

I REALLY like the director's film 'THE 13TH FLOOR'; I thought it was beautifully done, the story was very engaging, and it was extremely entertaining, especially if you like Science Fiction. However, I get the feeling that his heart just was not completely in this one.

The scenery and photography are breathtaking; Alaska is truly a beautiful place! I do fully agree with the other reviewer here who stated that the principle actors did a decent job while the supporting ones were pretty cringe-worthy. I DID think that the psychic guy was okay; maybe I just liked his accent... BUT... the 'baby-sitter' and the husband were clearly blowing SOMEBODY because I cannot for the life of me imagine why they would ever, EVER be considered as serious actors in any film...

Probably, due to the established talent of the director, the movie technically was done in a fairly competent way. If you are not terribly demanding, and I mean really NOT demanding at all, then it is possible that you might actually find something to enjoy in this movie....

It is quite sad I think to see a great actor like Jon Voight looking so rough in his older years, especially when he was so good looking when he was younger; and he's not even really that old. But, that is the way it is with some people, I guess. Just kind of sad, that's all...

Anyway, sorry to digress... But, there's nothing really to get very excited about here. Unless of course the 'babysitter' goes back to doing porn like she was clearly born and bred for... : )

Seriously though, the film makes a moderately decent effort, but sadly it just doesn't seem to have the substance or quality that that the director has clearly demonstrated in the past...

With a great cast and a possibly really neat twist on a tapped out genre, I thought BEYOND would be a great watch. Ugh. Everything was good except for the DIRECTION!! Which is everything. The energy of each scene was dis-jointed, and it seemed just silly the way things unfolded.

I also have to say there were many SMALL holes in this story. Little things... Like, the babysitter being dressed like a ho, no follow through on certain plot-lines that seemed important to the story. A bit of a mess...

Maybe with better editing this could have been better. When the big finale happens, half the ensemble doesn't even react to what should be the culmination of MUCH trial and effort. BAD DIRECTION. Let this director stick with his Wesley Snipes movies.

All in all I would say give it a watch. Jon Voight delivers as do all the main actors, with the exception of the young psychic. Totally miscast and unwatchable. Sorry dude.