96 Souls

Very short review on this one. The story starts out okay with an interesting concept (being able to visibly see odors), but then devolves into absurdist directing and not-so-special "special effects" that have no sensible or reasonable basis. What starts out as science fiction quickly become science slop. Oddly, this happens at the very same time the theretofore reasonable script suddenly explodes in a blast of profanity. It makes one wonder if they completely changed directors and writers 20 minutes into the work... and decided to throw decent writing, reason, acting and good directing out the window in favor of shock schlock. What began as a reasonable premise becomes unbearably ridiculous-- at which point I decided to waste no more of my time than already spent on this spud.

Based on the information beforehand, i expected this to be a movie in the style of " Flatliners ", but halfway through, the story went in a entirely new direction.

It became a thriller with heavy tones of philosophy, and a really good one of that.

The movie could have been better with a bigger budget as indoor scenes often seemed " unused " and the lighting seemed crisp but " cold ".

The acting and dialogues were on the other hand outstanding. Friends reacted like friends do, met with extraordinary news. The actors did an awesome job here, and to be honest, the " bad " guy here - had some really compelling arguments on why he had his verion of ethics. I really loved that scene.

In the end, you get many questions to ponder about in regard of society, connections to other people, and ethics.

I saw the movie spring 2021, just when the discussion on patents on life saving medication needed all over the world is at its peak. So we have here a 5 year old film, debating ethics that are more current than ever.

The most unusual thing about this movie, even as a big watcher of movies for many years, i could not see the twist and turns before they happened, and i loved that.

I really enjoyed this picture! This movie is timely as the story line addresses medical ethics during a period when science continues at an amazing speed to make astonishing advances in all areas. This is classic sci-fi: a scientist conducting an experiment is suddenly jolted into a bizarre new realm due to an accident in his lab. Although initially intrigued, he soon realizes that his data needs more research as his visions become terrifying. Unfortunately, those in the pharmaceutical industry who fund the scientists hear about his latest discovery, and our hero has to protect his research from being used for malevolent purposes. Thus begins a tug of war between the forces of good and evil that keeps the viewer on the edge of his seat. There are many twists and turns that lay ahead, as well as some terrific new characters going in and out of the fray. "96 Souls" is a film unafraid to ask big questions and for that reason alone is totally worth seeing.

Sorry to say, this is not a good film. Not the acting, the script, the dialogue, the pace.. really, it's hard to find anything good to say about it. Even if the premise had a chance at all, the way it's portrayed completely ruins it. So - two thumbs down from me.

I'm giving this movie a high 6 stars because it makes a heartfelt effort to tell a unique story. I thought from the trailer that it was an attempt at low budget sci-fi, and ultimately, it is. But more of a kind of hard sci-fi story in which morality and social conditions and consciousness​ underlie the story.

Some of the acting is amateurish and same for the editing and directing, and dialogue was more like conversation, but this director shows promise (up to a point). And his story is engaging. Despite the flaws, I never wanted to stop or turn off at any point.

Most importantly, it kept me entertained. And that, ultimately, is ​the task of any story. 5 stars for actual effort and an extra for daring something unique.