Eyeborgs

In the near future, terrorist attacks on American soil have resulted in the United States taking significant steps to increase homeland security. Mainly, a couple of things have happened. First, all the surveillance cameras you see hanging around - everywhere from banks to the local convenience store - have been connected into one network - the Optical Defense Intelligence Network (ODIN). Second, a mobile robotic system of cameras have been introduced, called "Eyeborgs". Naturally these devices are there to protect our freedom, not take it away. However, it appears something has gone terribly wrong...

In the opening, young purple-haired punk rocker Lucas "Luke" Eberl (as Jarett Hewes) performs with his "Painful Daze" band. There is an attempt to assassinate Mr. Eberl, but he survives when handsome ODIN agent Adrian Paul (as Robert "Gunner" Reynolds) and his Eyeborgs make the scene. Pushy blonde TV reporter Megan Blake (as Barbara Hawkins) smells a story...

Curiously, Eberl is the nephew of the President of the United States. Even more curious, Mr. Paul's subsequent investigation of the killer reveals something disturbing about our protective Eyeborgs. Director Richard Clabaugh and his crew keep the action and intrigue levels high. Visual effects supervisor Christopher Howell Watson and his team received award notices for their animated creatures, which are designed and inserted well. Performances are fine, with Eberl taking the best role to the top. "Eyeborgs" would rank a couple notches higher if not for the shaky cameras. Some of the wobbling looks natural, but there are many times when the camera is shaking uncontrollably. It's not too bad during the erotic car wash, though...

****** Eyeborgs (4/29/09) Richard Clabaugh ~ Adrian Paul, Luke Eberl, Megan Blake, Danny Trejo

This movie has it's good points and it's bad points Yet there is just something about this movie that holds your attention all the way through. The special effects are not fantastic but they are very good. The acting in general is not great, but it is for the most part, fairly good. The story line is not new yet, it seems to work within the context of the movie. I gave it a seven because it was overall entertaining to watch. Don't expect Star Wars or Star Trek but there is mystery and action and a little bit of thrills, and plenty of robots. Very importantly, I did not feel the movie was slow in parts as it kept my mind engaged and I also found myself thinking more about what was going on in the movie rather than what I thought could have been done better. It does borrow concepts from other great movies to an extent, but given that there are so many science fiction movies out there now, it is hard to come up with any real new and "never been done" ideas. For those that like to get an idea of the basic concept of the move and it's components like acting and plot, I think of this movie as an updated version and cross between 1984, and Colossus: The Forbin Project. So grab yourself a can of pop, pop yourself some popcorn and plop down on comfortable couch and enjoy some good entertainment experience that is good and does not try to be one of the main stream super blockbuster Hollywood Extravaganzas.

As a Highlander Series fan I watched this film hoping for good things, but was disappointed.

At a high-level the plot and premise have real potential, but this potential is never realized because the actual script and directing are mediocre at best. Further the story flow is disjointed and uneven. Character development is also weak and you really don't get to know the characters or care about them much.

Adrian Paul's performance was competent, but uninspiring, probably due to mediocre dialog. Likewise, the other actors performances are hard to critique because they really did not have much with which to work.

Somehow, in spite of the above, the ever present cameras and Eyeborgs do create a really creepy atmosphere and made me think I do not want anything even close to a society infested with Eyeborgs.

So in spite of its many flaws, good special effects and just enough of everything else still allows Eyeborgs to achieve its objective of making us question an ends justifies the means approach to fighting terrorism.

EYEBORGS executes a simple B-movie premise with energy and efficiency: various characters encounter and are forced to battle against a new wave of 'eyeborgs', which are strange robotic critters that appear to be drones with legs. Said 'eyeborgs' have been taken over by a nefarious power, their forces growing while investigators attempt to uncover the conspiracy behind them.

What this all boils down to is an action-packed flick in which the protagonists are constantly fighting off attacks by the deadly machines. The hero duties are handled by Adrian Paul (TV's HIGHLANDER), playing his tough-guy routine with aplomb; also along for the ride is Danny Trejo, although he appears to be locked in a basement for his scant screen time.

What I noticed most about EYEBORGS is that the CGI effects are actually very well achieved. They're not 100% realistic, of course, but for what must have been a low budget they're excellent and the robots get plenty of screen time too. As usual, the script is what ends up lacking the most, but the plentiful action at least keeps this one entertaining throughout.

I saw Eyeborgs at its premier screening in St. Pete Beach, and it is a fun "killer robot" movie wrapped around a moral/political message. If you want to pay attention, you can catch the allegories to real-life situations equally involving privacy of citizens, and trusting the media and government. However, in essence it is a fun movie about robots being used to take over society. An independent film with a very high production value and excellent special effects. The robots, especially the "Reapers" are extremely well done. Very good performance by Adrian Paul as the Department of Homeland Defense Agent. I definitely recommend this movie for sci-fi fans.