Lifepod

The last of the Sandler/Emenegger sci-fi films comes as something of a relief to me as all of these movies have been poor quality, low budget science fiction efforts in which the level of imagination involved counts for nothing when so little money has gone into the production. They're also all entirely derivative, with this one tackling 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY for inspiration.

Once again the film's main antagonist is a computer, a rather open rip-off of HAL 9000 although without the same quality of the voice acting. A desperate crew are trapped aboard a space ship with time running out (just like in ALIEN) and must figure out a way to work together in order to survive and/or escape.

Like the rest of these movies, the cast is unknown, the quality of the acting is very poor, and the script is sub-par. I appreciate that this one seems to have a little higher budget than others like LABORATORY and CAPTIVE so it's a pity they picked a script that was so derivative. For a change, it's not Robert Emenegger or Allan Sandler directing; instead that job goes to first-timer Bruce Bryant, and he doesn't make much of an effort really.

This one isn't as bad as some people make it out to be. Sure, it's a very low-budget flick and the acting is pretty cheesy/subpar, but the concept is actually really engaging. There definitely needed to be a more stern hand in the editing room, in my opinion, because there are too many instances that feel like filler.

I still recommend this flick even with its numerous faults. If you enjoy cheap sci-fi, this may just be right up your ally.

I first saw this in grad school, and recently watched it on late-late-night TV. For a remake of the 1940's Hitchcock movie, with minimal early 1980's special effects and sets, the story held up surprisingly well. Worth a couple of hours to see Joe Penny and Carl Lumbly (1980's actors with mainly TV roles), and Kristine DeBell ("Meatballs" and a memorable cameo on the Harry Anderson "Night Court" TV show). Reasonably decent acting, and the "surprise ending" wasn't completely telegraphed in the plot. There was no connection to 2001, other than a talking, slightly psychotic computer. More closely related to an episode of the a Rod Serling "Twilight Zone"

Life Pod is one of those films to watch out for, should it appear on your local cable station's movie listings late at night. Those who dismiss it in the first glance will miss an unusually compelling, worthwhile science fiction film that belies its low-budget origin.

Let's briefly rattle off some of it's merits:

~It's got no annoying loopholes; everything works and makes sense. Odd how a 'small' movie can sometimes do this better than a big-budget production.

~The special effects don't get in the way of the story. And there is quite good photography, too.

~The narrative itself, focuses on a human situation, rather than being pointlessly technological, or un-engaging fantasy. It's the same foundation that made 'Alien' great. People are at the heart of this movie.

~Set design is complementary in that is innocuous, unobtrusive, measured. Again, properly servile to the plot.

~The actors are all low-budget actors from TV land. Once again, a case of "less is more". They are unknowns, so they are abstracted for the viewer, and this allows for fluid, accessible characterizations.

~Pacing is efficient, economical, simple, and linear, with no waste. The director takes us exactly to the emotional climax comfortably and confidently.

With all that said, I think its just a great little sci-fi story: an intriguing plot that, humbly executed in a no-frills manner, sticks with you over time. I would love to have this in my collection.

Wow. Something of a surprise. Though flawed, it is far better that I expected.

The brand new space liner Arcturus with some 3,000 passengers is in the final days of its sixteen day trip to Jupiter. Without warning, the ship's Cerebral (central computer) sounds a disaster alarm and orders everyone to evacuate.

Soon, there are only a handful of people remaining including one of the ship's astrogators (Penny), the captain (Cary), and the director of the shipping line (Kenyon).

It turns out that the alarm was false and that the main Cerebral is acting

erratically. The remaining passengers and crew must escape the ship and

avoid personal conflicts in order to survive.

The film starts out very well. The opening commercial is a very nice touch. There are obvious parallels to 2001: A Space Odyssey and to the historic

sinking of the Titanic. The film does slow down at times and has pacing

problems, but is generally well made and well acted.