EVENT HORIZON (1997)
I remember when I saw this movie in the theater. It was just me and about six other people. I loved it right away. It was one of those movies that didn't do to well at the box office, but over time, it got some recognition from the audience. I also remember reading Roger Ebert's review on the movie. Giving it 2 stars, Ebert went on to explain that it was a british rip-off of Alien and the script was poor. He was so wrong. You gotta understand...Ebert has periods where he hates on movies for no reason. 97 was one year where he did so.
So here are my five reasons to why its such a great movie.
The Plot.
The space ship event horizon was designed for faster than light travel. The project over seeing it deemed it to be classified; top secret. When it starts its first space flight, the ship disappears. Then, seven years later it reappears near Neptune. The man who created Event Horizon, Dr. Weir (played by Sam Neil) is called in to join a search and rescue squad lead by Captain Miller (Lawrence Fisherbourne) to investigate the Event Horizon. Once the team reaches Neptune's outer orbit, Weir goes on to tell them the physics and capabilities of the Event Horizon. The rescue team finds it a bit intriguing, and their anticipation and expectations soar once they reach the mysterious craft. But what they find is something far more dangerous, something that has the power to pick them off one by one.
The Characters/Acting.
Even though the movie is 96 minutes long, its surprisingly well paced. The Character development of Dr. Weir is extraordinary; terrifying. He's a man who spent most of his life working on the Even Horizon and it disrupts his marriage and later on his past comes back to haunt him. Jason Isaacs is in this movie as well, and he plays the gloomy doctor on board the rescue crew. Captain Miller is a troubled man; one that has a lot to hide. But he is dedicated to his job, willing to take a bullet for everyone of his crew members. I won't give too much away, for those who haven't seen this but Miller and Weir's collaboration in the climax is fantastic. Every Character is developed well, but the kid who plays Justin is annoying. (If you haven't seen it, watch it and you'll understand. If you have seen it, We're on the same page).
Special Effects. Cinematography.
The look and feel of this movie is excellent and creepy. For 1997, the special effects are really good. And without over doing it on computer graphics, Event Horizon uses a lot of practical effects to enduse its terror, gore and other frightening images that tend to come along. Paul Anderson has done his best direction here and its one when where you want to recommend it to your friends.
The suspense in this movie is very well done; it keeps you guessing. And as far as Ebert's review on how the script was horrid and it was a rip off of Alien, he was so wrong. He was probably having an off day as when he reviewed Thor.
I loved this movie, and I highly recommend it for anyone who hasn't seen it. When you watch it, you'll understand why its one of the most underrated movies of all time.
Oh hell, that's my opinion.
thoughts?
comments?
Let me know!