Momentum: Ameaça Indestrutível

If it weren't for the editing out of curse words and a superimposed blur when one character give another the finger, it would be easy to mistake this low-budget snoozer for a Sci-Fi channel pilot. The plot about the government's attempts to destroy a group of telekinetics it originally trained as military weapons ends ambiguously enough with the hero, himself gifted, in pursuit of a telekinetic survivor bent on revenge. Alas, the movie is talky, boring, predictable and even devoid of interesting special effects. Top-billed Louis Gossett, Jr. has a minor role as the evil government bureaucrat who originated the program and now wants to eliminate all traces. He walks through the part and it is hard to understand why he bothered. Other members of the cast do a decent job with a script that demands little.

When a trio of men with telekinetic power leaded by Adrian Geiger (Michael Massee) robs an armored car, the skeptical FBI agents Jordan Ripps (Teri Hatcher) and her partner Frank McIntyre do not believe in the testimony of the witnesses about the powerful skills of the gang. Meanwhile, the former FBI agent Raymond Addison (Louis Gossett Jr.) is chasing Geiger, who was a survival of his special force of powerful men, and blackmails the physics professor Zachary Shefford (Grayson McCouch), using him to find the location where Geiger, his daughter Tristen Geiger (Nicki Aycox) and their community of telekinetic people are placed. The reunion of Geiger and Addison will lead them to a tragic consequence.

"Momentum" is not a bad movie, as indicated in many reviews. Although being a low-budget TV movie, it is Indeed a good entertainment. The story uses elements of "Scanners", "The Fury", "Firestarter" and other sci-fi stories, but I liked it. The beauty of Teri Hatcher is still very impressive, but the weak unknown actor Michael Massee with his expressionless face spoils the important and key character of Adrian Geiger. Having some improvements in the screenplay, better special effects and a better actor in the role of Geiger, "Momentum" might be a great movie. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Momentum – Ameaça Indestrutível" ("Momentum – Indestructible Menace")

The films of the Science Fiction Channel ( Sci-Fi Channel ) have become boringly predictable. The seem low on budget, originality, and plot.

In this creation the government is out to get a bunch of telekinetics and recruits a poor soul by devious means to help. There is plenty of over worked recycled twists on evil government organization theme. black coats, shadows, short meaningless lines make these one dimensional cartoons.

Daniel Dae Kim stands out as a good actor in a small role. He brings a bit of the style of his "Angel" character to the role. It is hard to miss the link that his "Crusade" character was a telepath and this is a film on telekinetics. Was this a Sci-Fi casting move to try and draw fans from the other show? Who knows. Thankfully he is a decent actor and a pleasure to watch.

The movie is definitely low budget. It reflects The Sci-Fi Channels current model of Canadian location, few well known characters, few effects, and woefully terrible plot and character development. One would think they believe science fiction fans will view anything labeled "scifi."

If you want a good telekinesis movie, check out "the Fury" ( 1978).

*) Take ideas from "The Fury", X-Men, and "Jumper" *) make bit of X-Files for a while *) _try_ camera angles and editing from the classic western *) do "special effects" using nylon threads like in puppetry *) write some cheesy, predictable plot, dialogues and ending and *) leave plenty room for a sequel *) but completely forget to give the main characters some interesting traits and motives *) or even forget tell (or edit out), why the main FBI chick was treated as famous to one part of her colleagues, but pretty unknown to the other half.

Oooops. Did I spoil something? No, but after watching it, you will say: Yes, the summary told us all.

The story may well fit in an X-Files episode and probably had been much more entertaining, then.

Momentum does have its moments. The film looks decent, with some atmospheric-looking scenery and not-too-choppy editing. Some of the physical stunts are well done. And there are a couple of performances that are not bad. Terri Hatcher still looks beautiful and not only is she charming but she gives her character some steel. Daniel Dae Kim also stands out in a small role, he does have style and charisma. However despite the title, Momentum just doesn't have any momentum. The script is cheesy and too talky, the story is sluggish and predictable with a severe lack of suspense and tension and the characters are underdeveloped clichés. The rest of the acting apart from Hatcher and Kim doesn't leave much of an impression. Louis Gossett Jnr sleepwalks through his role and Michael Massee is a bland and expressionless lead.

All in all, not irredeemable but didn't do much to thrill me. 4/10 Bethany Cox