I rented this film for one reason alone. I'm a huge fan of Brian Katkin's horror masterpiece, "If I Die Before I Wake"... (the best damn low budget movie, period). I was worried when I saw that this film was produced by Roger Corman. His films usually suck and I expected this one to as well. Despite the no budget (and at times it is really obvious... weak special fx and set design), this movie kicks butt! The acting is top notch. The leads are charming (Wolf Larson) and scary (Ron Pearlman) and you really empathize with the characters. But its the action that rocks. And much like If I Die, Katkin creates such incredible tension that you're neck and shoulders ache by the end of the film... (the hostage stand-off scene is my favorite, when Pealman is knocking off prisoners one by one and the hero tries to take him out but has only one bullet with no clear shot). After listening to the director's commentary (with the film's composer, who deserves kudos as well), I really understand the problems and frustrations of trying to do good work with so many elements working against you. I wish Hollywood would wake up and give this guy a shot at a real movie, instead of turning to commercial and rock video "directors" who puke out stylish but souless drivel.
