Script2Screen

Rating:

This is going to be a short review for a short movie. Not counting credits, the film is around 70 minutes long, which is probably an hour too long.

I was no fan of this movie’s screenplay, but the script was a masterpiece compared to what ended up on film. For some reason, the most interesting scripted moments were either unfilmed or left on the cutting room floor. What’s left is an embarrassment.

The acting is fairly uninspired. Megan Fox acts about as well as anyone would expect. John Malkovich plays the villain virtually identically to the one he played in “Con Air”. Josh Brolin appears to be attempting to do something with a poorly written character, but also seems to be competing with Christian Bale’s Batman to win the “What Did He Say?” award for vocal incoherence.

The final battle and villainous plot are cartoonish, though admittedly better than the scripted one. The villains have acquired a secret military doomsday device, which can destroy an entire nation by shooting glowing orange balls.

If this were a television pilot, I could forgive the low production value and likely watch at least one more episode. However, the film doesn’t leave me begging for a sequel. The movie has only two redeeming qualities. First, it has a cool animated opening, reminiscent of the story’s comic book origins. Second, the movie, mercifully, ends. Save your money and brain cells. Don’t watch this movie.