Dark Planet

Okay, I've seen worse. Much worse. First of all, this movie is not full of bad CG. It's full of bad model special effects. Second, with the exception of Michael York the acting is meh (I've seen equivalent talent on Babylon 5 and that show is still amazing). Third, at its heart there is a good story, unfortunately clouded by cheezey lines and an even cheezier hero.

However...

With better dialogue, better actors, and better special effects this movie could be something special. All it needs is a remake by someone who understands how to make a suspense film.

Yes, it is the year 2638; this is the year of the cleansing war; different factions of people such as Alphas (genetically engineered), and the Rebels (natural born) with a few other factions are tossed in.

Suddenly the head ruthless Alpha, Capt. Winter (Michael York), is forced to cooperate with an equally determined and suspicious Rebel, Col. Liz Brendan (Harley Jane Kozak) on a mysterious mission through a wormhole to a mysterious Dark Planet. The only person to get us there is a renegade (Blake Boyd) that neither side likes or trusts.

As we are treated to treachery and tragedy, we want to know why?

This film has that good and bad independent film feel.

This movie was a waste of Michael Yorks talent. I gave the movie 2 stars out of support for the graphics and action sequences. Many points in the movie were nonsensical and pointless at best! I have no idea how York was tricked into signing on for this movie, but he should have refused.

Add together no script, no plot, no acting, no make-up and 8th grade TV class special effects and soon you have a Sci-Fi sleeping pill that would knock out Darth Vader. Set in the human geno future, Dark Planet concerns the quest of two human genes species attempting to claim the last piece of unpolluted solar Real Estate. For some unknown reason the script says the two warring side must accomplish this task together with one side furnishing the ship and the other a Captain. Throw in a double cross, some hidden soldiers, a couple of shoot-em-ups and you'll be asleep in no time. This movie comes complete with a James Mason look-a-like Captain, advanced humans with skin problems, left over Storm Troopers from Stars Wars and lots of pancake makeup. I couldn't decide what was worse the acting, make-up or special effects.

Two thumbs down on this one.

If you're expecting a good movie, spend your money elsewhere. The animation in this movie is, without exaggeration, the worst I've ever seen anywhere. The premise is interesting, but the plot is basically that of just another action movie with some sci-fi elements mixed in. The highlight of Dark Planet is actually in the scene where the commander is looking through the soldiers' dossiers. I got a few good laughs when I paused the tape and read them for myself. Overall, it can be entertaining if you overlook the ghastly effects and the weak plot.