In cinemas May 13th!
As a genre, science-fiction is one that has seen its popularity increasingly soar. It is also a genre that, as a result, has become increasingly bloated, both on television and in the cinema. It's a double-edged sword that is especially tricky to wield, with many a director finding themselves stuck on the proverbial pointy end. Thankfully, visual effects guru turned writer/director, Steven Gomez, handles with great proficiency and to enjoyable effect...
'In a near, technology-reliant future, a group of soldiers find themselves stranded on a remote training facility. What starts out as a routine exercise swiftly descends into a terrifying battle to the death, as the marines discover the island is overrun by an enemy that transcends the human concept of evil.'
Science-fiction works best when it takes the relatable themes and forces us to witness them through a hyper-scientific and technologically advanced lens. Everything from 'Blade Runner' and 'I, Robot' to the first two Terminators and even 'Robocop', at their core, spend as much time exploring the human experience as they do blowing things up. As long as you don't ask Michael Bay, that is.
To place 'Kill Command' alongside the likes of the Transformers franchise would be to do it a severe disservice. Although it has it's fair share of action and explosions, it is very much grounded in the human turmoil and inhuman machinations rather than simply spectacle for the sake of spectacle. A feat that is further complemented by some great use of FX and genuinely haunting, creepy imagery, resulting a very video-game style world.
'In a near, technology-reliant future, a group of soldiers find themselves stranded on a remote training facility. What starts out as a routine exercise swiftly descends into a terrifying battle to the death, as the marines discover the island is overrun by an enemy that transcends the human concept of evil.'
Science-fiction works best when it takes the relatable themes and forces us to witness them through a hyper-scientific and technologically advanced lens. Everything from 'Blade Runner' and 'I, Robot' to the first two Terminators and even 'Robocop', at their core, spend as much time exploring the human experience as they do blowing things up. As long as you don't ask Michael Bay, that is.
To place 'Kill Command' alongside the likes of the Transformers franchise would be to do it a severe disservice. Although it has it's fair share of action and explosions, it is very much grounded in the human turmoil and inhuman machinations rather than simply spectacle for the sake of spectacle. A feat that is further complemented by some great use of FX and genuinely haunting, creepy imagery, resulting a very video-game style world.
When it comes to the acting, it's packed with mostly solid performances, with most of the heavy-lifting resting upon the shoulders of Thure Lindhardt ('Fast & Furious 6', 'The Bridge') as the untrusting Captain Bukes and Vanessa Kirby ('About Time', 'Jupiter Ascending') as the technologically advanced Mills. The latter, especially, truly shines in the role, offering a great physical and emotional performance, adding another tough, capable female character to a pantheon still sorely lacking.
David Ajala ('The Dark Knight') is another standout, as the more noble and open-minded second-in-command, Drifter. He is, however, quite wasted in the grand-scheme of things, indicating some flaws in the narrative decisions at the writing stage. Similarly, some of the attempts at banter and establishing camaraderie fall awkwardly flat.
'Kill Command' also doesn't offer much that hasn't been seen elsewhere over the years. However, Steven Gomez has blended numerous familar elements together to create a something wholly it's own. A film best described as a Predator movie for the modern, increasingly technological age; a film that it sizzles as much on the surface as it intriguingly bubbles with nuance just beneath.
All in all, 'Kill Command' is cult film in the making, an enthralling thrill-ride, that capably maintains the balance between action and philosophical explorations of how we view technology, how technology views us, and what it means to be human.
David Ajala ('The Dark Knight') is another standout, as the more noble and open-minded second-in-command, Drifter. He is, however, quite wasted in the grand-scheme of things, indicating some flaws in the narrative decisions at the writing stage. Similarly, some of the attempts at banter and establishing camaraderie fall awkwardly flat.
'Kill Command' also doesn't offer much that hasn't been seen elsewhere over the years. However, Steven Gomez has blended numerous familar elements together to create a something wholly it's own. A film best described as a Predator movie for the modern, increasingly technological age; a film that it sizzles as much on the surface as it intriguingly bubbles with nuance just beneath.
All in all, 'Kill Command' is cult film in the making, an enthralling thrill-ride, that capably maintains the balance between action and philosophical explorations of how we view technology, how technology views us, and what it means to be human.
Review by Jay Thomas.
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