Eve Of Destruction (2013/Gaiam Vivendi Blu-ray)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: D Film: C+
Karl
(Steven Weber), a genius scientist is on the verge of discovering a new source
of unlimited energy for the world, 'dark energy', but even unforeseen to him
there are 'side effects'. The machine
that was to provide the world a limitless clean and free energy soon becomes a
doomsday device, it's energy ripping the world apart, but once the chain
reaction starts it can't be stop and countdown to global meltdown begins in
Robert Lieberman’s Eve Of Destruction,
a 2013 TV Mini-Series turned feature here and not to be confused with the
howler of a killer robot feature film of the same name from 1991 with Gregory
Hines and Paul Verhoeven victim Renée Soutendijk. This is actually worse!
Out to
make a name for himself, by creating a prototype accelerator to create a new
form of energy from another dimension, Karl runs into inevitable trouble when
errors and mistakes happen in the experiment his CEO covers up mistake in order
to get a billion dollar deal from the government. At first, he is warned by a Russian lineman
who saw the same thing happen when a similar experiment in Russia wiped out his town, then a
group of environmental terrorist sabotages (including his daughter!!!) the
machine speeding up the experiment without safety backup causing energy surges
that burn out anything it touches. Yup, that’s the script.
This was more
a tale about pseudo science than anything to take seriously. Sure, people are burning up natural
resources, polluting the Earth, there are terrorist and scientist who don't
care about the ramifications, but film serves as a message/warning of
scientists should not play God, extreme environmentalists are really no better
than terrorists, and governments CEOs care more about money that safety. Fueled by desire, fear or greed often leads to
the downfall and destruction of the world.
Too bad even the presence of Cristina Cox and Treat Williams cannot make
this more watchable.
The 1080p
1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image looks better than most TV fare I have
seen lately, so it is more watchable than expected and the DTS-HD MA (Master
Audio) 5.1 lossless mix has better, more consistent sound design than expected,
so the makers were really trying to make a technically quality series (save
those lame digital visual effects) with a very weak, long teleplay to no
avail. Extras include trailer and sneak
peek on Cat. 8, which is also all weak.
- Ricky Chiang
