There are so many movies with this plot set up. After a quick introduction, something happens to one member of a group or pair and they seem to have dropped off the face of the earth. Okay, fine. Why watch yet another one? Perhaps some clever writer has come up with an interesting plot twist to this tired old story line.
Maybe in some other movie, but not here. As with so many other films, the set up is not bad, not great, but more than watchable, mainly because of Brittany Murphy. Dean Cain is, at best, acceptable. At worst he is execrable. As is nearly everyone else. But they are all hampered, even Ms. Murphy, in spots, by terrifically bad writing. Even a short period of time researching would help provide more authentic feeling dialogue for Peter Bogdanovich's psychiatrist who, after a two minute interview, declares Brittany's character to be suffering from 'mental illness'. Sorry, but I think a little more detail than 'I think she might be mental' would be forthcoming from a believable character in this role.
And towards the end as a maniac, screaming, panting security guard looking to shoot Ms. Murphy's character is stalking her, he's running his mouth with a 'come out, come out, wherever you are' patter, as does everyone else trying to kill her. Sure, come out so we can shoot you. No problem, she'll be right out. Is this the best the writer could do? This doesn't even work as parody. At least parody would have the benefit of being funny. This is just weak, lazy writing.
The film is watchable for the first two thirds. The last section is lame, entering into painful for the viewer. Plenty of Film School 101 tilted camera work and tired, tired, tired reliance on surveillance video to help propel a DOA narrative.
How do movies like this get made? Why would someone like Bogdanovich agree to play in such dreck? Or Murphy, for that matter? I guess she really was sick towards the end. But she does a credible job stuck with far below average writing and a poor plot, the twists of which are no more than slightly bent.
If you're a Brittany Murphy fan, go back and rent her earlier stuff. Her last lines are not exactly deathless.
Maybe in some other movie, but not here. As with so many other films, the set up is not bad, not great, but more than watchable, mainly because of Brittany Murphy. Dean Cain is, at best, acceptable. At worst he is execrable. As is nearly everyone else. But they are all hampered, even Ms. Murphy, in spots, by terrifically bad writing. Even a short period of time researching would help provide more authentic feeling dialogue for Peter Bogdanovich's psychiatrist who, after a two minute interview, declares Brittany's character to be suffering from 'mental illness'. Sorry, but I think a little more detail than 'I think she might be mental' would be forthcoming from a believable character in this role.
And towards the end as a maniac, screaming, panting security guard looking to shoot Ms. Murphy's character is stalking her, he's running his mouth with a 'come out, come out, wherever you are' patter, as does everyone else trying to kill her. Sure, come out so we can shoot you. No problem, she'll be right out. Is this the best the writer could do? This doesn't even work as parody. At least parody would have the benefit of being funny. This is just weak, lazy writing.
The film is watchable for the first two thirds. The last section is lame, entering into painful for the viewer. Plenty of Film School 101 tilted camera work and tired, tired, tired reliance on surveillance video to help propel a DOA narrative.
How do movies like this get made? Why would someone like Bogdanovich agree to play in such dreck? Or Murphy, for that matter? I guess she really was sick towards the end. But she does a credible job stuck with far below average writing and a poor plot, the twists of which are no more than slightly bent.
If you're a Brittany Murphy fan, go back and rent her earlier stuff. Her last lines are not exactly deathless.