Phase IV

I don't really understand all the positive comments for this movie.

Aren't people tires of slow-mo car chases ? Those might be

technically good, but they are inserted in the action without subtlety

and in a way that screams "nineties direct-to-videos !". Why start

with a car chase, when we have no idea who is being chased and

can't root for him without any background, when a poor ordinary

schmuk pursued by total strangers could be an interesting angle.

Besides, it is just an ordinary "Man who knew too much" kinda

story : bystander suddenly gets on a secret, a conspiracy wants to

shut him up, he has to get to the bottom of things to avoid being

killed. It's a sent-up of "The Fugitive" style manhunts, aloso

explored in Andrew Davis' "Chain reaction". Here, the only thing is

to find a corporate villain - here pharmaceutical companies.

Granted, this one is not the worse of the crop and Dean Cain is

convincing, but it's really a run-of-the-mill thriller with a few ideas

thrown in. Still, I have to watch it again to see if I missed

something.

This seemed like pretty standard B-movie fare when I decided to see it. Dean Cain and Brian Bosworth pretty much guarantee a mediocre movie at best. But I was a bit surprised at how much I enjoyed the movie. I am not saying this is a great movie or a must see, but I did enjoy watching it.

The premise is kind of standard, guy's best friend does something to get into trouble with the really powerful bad guys. So this guy ends up having to defeat the bad guys. Dean Cain plays the hero and does a fairly good job. Brian Bosworth is the head thug and was quite surprising. As an actor he has come a long way (although he did start way behind so that isn't saying too much).

Anyway, if you are into this kind of movie, you might just enjoy it. If you don't like this particular genre, the best steer clear, because while it is fairly good, it won't win any converts.

I can't believe anyone watched this movie!!! Three of my friends acted in it and they all got wasted............including the bad guy who got crushed in the car accident. This production helped a lot of Halifax industry people pay the bills that summer of 2001 so I have to give it at least a five. And it was hilarious that all the bad guys would ride around in one car together. That car was thrown off a condemned Ultramar gas station downtown Halifax. Right across from the Trailer Park Boys production house. Thats if anyone actually cares. Also, most of the Canadian actors have been dubbed over with Yank voices for international release. They really Honkified poor old Glenn.

A new spin of your typical evil scientist movie who want to take over the world type of story which it introduces the concept of an evil pharmaceutical company who has a cure for AIDS but makes more money not releasing the cure so people are not cured. An incredibly and irresponsibly bad and predictable sophomoric script in this movie starring Dean Cain and Brain Bosworth actually has you wanting to see more just to see how bad and predictable it can get. Dean Cain is severely beaten up by four hooligans, yet his wife and child in tow approach him after the fight inquiring, "Are you OK?" From the white haired United States Senator, the black leather wearing hooligans, the nerdy scientist the characters throughout the movie are very TV movie like are stereotypical and uncompelling. The plot introduces many twists and turns which in the end are unresolved. The spectacular panoramic views of a craggy Halifax, Nova Scotia coast momentarily divert your attention from the incredulity of the plot.

Dean Cain plays an ex high school football star turned journalist with Navy Seal training. Yes, seriously. I can't make this up. He stumbles upon a conspiracy when his doctor friend is accused of a murder, but then is killed himself. Further digging reveals college students linked to the dead doc, diseases and the bent pharmaceutical industry.

Brian Bosworth is the crooked detective in charge of making it all go away and tying up loose ends. Canadian actor Nigel Bennett (Forever Knight) plays the flicks corrupt politician tied to the drug company. The story pulls no punches while offering up the standard checklist of car chases, foot chases, few explosions, expendable supporting characters, a bad line or two of dialog.

Halifax, Nova Scotia stands in for New England, USA so quite a list of recognizable locations to be spotted for anyone who's ever lived there. Otherwise being a fan of Cain, Bosworth or willing to shut off your brain and enjoy this nonsense is a must. A pretty standard dtv actioner of it's day nothing is super painful, but also not many surprises on hand.