Let's Be Evil

The only way anyone didn't end this mind numbing mess before it was over was if they passed out from boredom, then awoke when it was over because it was that baaaaaaaaaaad.

Three chaperones are hired to supervise an advanced learning program for gifted children, who wear Augmented Reality Glasses to assist in their education. Contained within a secure, underground facility, events quickly spiral out of control.

The film has received mixed or negative reviews, and I can absolutely see why. Even though the virtual reality parts look okay, the general appearance of the film is cheap. And much of the acting is awful (especially the really bad talking head in the opening). The concept is timely (something we might see on "Black Mirror"), but the film may be limited by its own budget.

Worth a look? Sure. But not nearly as good as the sort of new releases we have come to expect from IFC Midnight. (Then again, you can't have a winner every time, can you?)

IMDb must find a way to quell these deliberately manipulated movie ratings. Find out how the rating system is being exploited and put an end to it before users lose all confidence in it. Those who cheat the system should know there's backlash, for every false 10...their film will receive numerous 1's, and neither fairly assesses the movie being reviewed.

Is this an 8 star or higher film? In my eyes, no. A few may believe so, but I believe the vast majority of honest opinions would place it between 4-6. The premise is intriguing and executed moderately. The acting is mediocre. Mostly though, we aren't observing performances, but observing scenes and listening to the accompanying dialogue instead. Thus the editing, CGI and set are of primary importance and I believe the filmmakers did a decent job of it, earning a solid B-.

It's primarily seen through the eyes of our protagonist. She's one of three young adults (in financial straights) who accepts a mysterious assignment to supervise a group of highly gifted children in a top secret advanced learning program. She enters an underground facility which is completely pitch and is given a set of glasses which operates much like Google Glass, only then is she able to see her surroundings and receive any information. This alone kept me questioning what was truly real throughout the film since technology of this nature can control ones perception of reality. It can be programmed and designed to manipulate a person so I was never certain who or what was really happening. The feeling was much like watching films like Black Swan, Vanilla Sky or Inception in that it is somewhat disorientating and one cannot be certain about what's experienced. To be clear, this film is absolutely nothing like the 3 films I've mentioned and it cannot compare; the air of disorientation and uncertainty is all that is in common. At its' core, this is the best thing about the film.

Our protagonist soon realizes that the children are far from average. They are mentally and intellectually far more advanced than most adults who may be considered genius and these prodigy's only pause from their studies to eat a highly regulated diet and sleep a precise amount of time. She alone feels pity for them, voicing it by saying that children should be allowed time to be children, to have recess and play. Her opinion proves to be a critical point to the plot.

I think that more tantalizing visuals and dialogue would have done absolute wonders for the production value of this film. The set was too claustrophobic and lacked ambiance. It reminded me a bit of the lower levels seen on the set of Ex Machina, except a bit more like (as one reviewer stated) "a concrete submarine" meets inner city raver nightclub. Some imagination, space, and attention to detail would have gone a long way since the set was such a critical part of the production. There's no background on the female protagonist nor her co-protagonists which leaves the audience with no concern about their plight. They are nondescript and we learn nothing about them, it didn't even benefit the story to have the co's present. A backstory and some amount of character development was critically missing.

There were some tense moments, more of them would have made the film somewhat thrilling but the run time is fairly short and there's not much in the way of building suspense. One freak-out occurrence and our protagonist is already exiting the facility. She's compelled to stay however, then there's only the second occurrence which is our climax. Throughout the climax you are on a POV trip through darkness and confusion. Terror is intended, but it's mild since it's not conveyed as well as it could have been. I loved the ending. It was a bit confusing but if you're paying close enough attention and processing it then I think you'll appreciate it to. Is it brilliant? No, but it's satisfactory.

Decent watch, if forgettable, at best, won't watch again, and can't recommend.

(Please keep in mind that the mobile app erased my original review, so I'm a little peeved.)

My biggest concern with this movie is that it concentrates on fear mongering against technology more than creating a good movie. I understand that it's supposed to be a psychological thriller, but that should be what you're concentrating on and not teaching the audience to fear technology: just tell the story.

In fairness, it did do a lot with a clearly low budget: low level actors you won't recognize and (mostly) kids for background characters, Google Glass (or similar) tech, an underground bunker setting, and not particularly great cg effects, but they managed to get by.

The real crux of the story is that isolated in a bunker, they kind of think they're going mad, so "what's real" comes into play, and then it becomes the inevitable question of "is it me or is the technology out to get me", and when that tech is a virtual OS (think Cortana), then there is no telling what is going to happen so there is no expectation, thus nothing to subvert. Its a rule in both Horror and Comedy to play with the audience's tension / expectation (Rules of 3) to establish a pattern, and then break/deliver on it in a surprising manner.

The camera work also messed with me quite a bit. Not only do you have a switch between natural 3rd person camera work and 1st person perspective, the camera work alternatives between almost imperceptively still and wildly jerk about as the audience was intended to experience an earthquake. It feels like the movie was trying to be "Hardcore Henry" esque, but didn't actually do anything special with the camera angles and distracted with the Head's Up Display (HUD).

There's a movie here, you might even like it, but I'm willing to bet that the movie is too unique without much spectacular happening for most people to enjoy it.

Seen this movie on Netflix it looked interesting. I came here to IMDb to find out a bit more info on it and noticed it's high rating and stupidly gave it a go.

DO NOT BE FOOLED LIKE ME!!!!!! A lot of inflated ratings of 10 but this movie is rubbish. Basically the entire movie 3 idiots walk up and down a corridor with weird flashing lights and trying to act scared. I had no care if they lived or died in fact I wanted them all to die so this movie could finally end. Not really anything I can say that is actually good about the movie it had me somewhat amused for a while it's not scary and it is not even in the least bit thrilling or suspenseful.

I can't believe I wasted my time watching this movie. I hope in writing this you will save yourself precious time and watch something worthwhile