DVD Review: Mutant Chronicles [Blu-ray]: Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, John Malkovich, Simon Hunter: Movies & TV

Aug04

DVD Review: Mutant Chronicles [Blu-ray]: Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, John Malkovich, Simon Hunter: Movies & TV

Posted by admin | on 4 August, 07:05 AM

Product Description
In the year 2707, war rages between Earth s four giant Corporations as they battle over the planet’s dwindling resources. Amid heavy combat, an ancient buried seal shatters, releasing a horrific mutant army from its eternal prison deep within the Earth. As the mutant plague threatens human extinction, a single squad of soldiers descends into the Earth to save mankind.

NO HOPE FOR THE FUTURE?,

By Mark Turner -

There are movies that are released that you think will be good, movies you hope will be good and movies you want to be good. On occasion it happens. But for the most part, as with MUTANT CHRONICLES, it never quite makes the mark.

Based on a role playing game, the basic outline was there. Fans of the game though have complained at the changes made. In any event, we are presented with a world of the future ruled by four warring corporations constantly in battle. During the latest conflict, a seal set in the ground is broken and an army of zombie like mutants, each with one single spear-like arm, is unleashed.

History reveals that this seal was put in place by a religious order when an alien spacecraft descended to Earth and began changing men into these mutants. Nearly defeated, man conquered this invasion and sealed the machine in the ground. The order maintained a book telling the tale as well as preparing for the day the seal might be broken. That day is now.

As mankind heads off planet to Mars, Brother Samuel (Ron Perlman) puts together a rag tag group of misfits who man be the planet’s last hope. Former combatants are now untied to save the world as instructed by the chronicles. Armed with a secret bomb they don’t even know how to use, they head deep underground towards the machine with the hopes of destroying it.

Among this group are the lesser characters, those that you know are just fodder for the mutant horde to follow. But the natural leader of the group is Mitch Hunter (Thomas Jane) who seems cynical to the extreme but whose humanity shines through at the oddest moments. Along the way he saves a group of survivors and later attempts to rescue his old commander from the mutants.

The mission is much like those seen in team flicks like THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and THE DIRTY DOZEN. It’s a suicide mission at worst and a chance for redemption and salvation at the end at best. Each team member has a reason to be here since each was given 2 tickets to get someone off world. Now it’s up to them to save this one.

The movie itself is well made, the special effects extremely well done for being made on a shoestring budget. The look and feel of this world is both threatening and interesting at the same time. And the gore, while CGI created, flows when slashes and explosions come forth. But at the same time it feels kind of hollow.

The actors involved were enthusiastic about the project as seen in the special feature where they appeared on a panel at last year’s Comic Con to promote the film. And their performances are pretty good. Yet something is missing.

This is not to say you won’t enjoy the film. It does offer and action-adventure flick that will keep fans watching. It offers science fiction fans a look at a steam-punk world of coal driven spaceships and blast cannons. And it does entertain. And yet…

I may be in the minority. I recall a world in the sixties where the outlook of science fiction was one of hope. We watched STAR TREK which showed us a world of possibilities and co-operation and equality, where there were no bounds that we couldn’t overcome. And yet in the late 70s and early 80s that changed and suddenly we were shown a future where cities had fallen, people wore rags and the heroes were few and far between.

This movie falls into that latter category. Perhaps that’s why I can’t say it’s great. Perhaps that’s why I can’t say I loved it. Yes, I enjoyed it and yes it was entertaining. I would recommend this as one to watch but as for adding to your collection? Perhaps not.

As for the blu-ray aspects of this film they come into play with the sharpness and clarity offered. Every item on screen is crystal clear from the drops of rain that overflow in the films opening sequence to the drops of blood that fly when during the final battle with the mutants. Does it enhance anything from the movie itself? Probably not. But then for me at least, the clearer the picture the better.

Stupid is as Stupid Does,

By Gene Bates “Guyver” (California) -

Mutant Chronicles was destined to be a B movie with low production values, budget effects and second if not third string actors. I like Thomas Jane and The Mist is proof that he can act if given somewhat decent material. Alas, with The Punisher and now this bookending The Mist his career seems destined for films that are low budget and maybe even straight to DVD. I wouldn’t waste my time on this one unless you can appreciate it despite the bad acting, the horrible effects, the dismal plot and the complete stupidity of it all. I like bad movies. It takes some kinda genius to hit that master stroke that turns a bad movie into a good movie. The Mutant Chronicles goes straight to bad and never pushes past that to shine and become good. If you want to see a good low budget movie with cool effects get a copy of Outlander. That movie, complete with Norsemen battling alongside a spaceman against an alien dragon was far more entertaining then this pap could ever aspire to.
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