My quick rating - 5.5/10. I wasn't at all familiar with this one. A single father and two determined women embark on a perilous journey through a creature-ridden world to save a young boy's life. Starring Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin, this sci-fi action film aims to deliver thrills and emotional stakes but struggles to rise above its pacing issues and incomplete story. Mackie steps out of his Marvel comfort zone, delivering a solid performance as a desperate father. His portrayal carries genuine weight, especially in the more intense moments. Baccarin as Nina matches his energy, providing both resilience and depth. Their chemistry helps to ground the movie's more fantastical elements in human emotion, giving viewers characters they can root for. The creatures, reminiscent of the beast in The Relic, are a visual highlight. Their design is eerie and imposing, but the movie leans on their presence more for tension than outright terror. Fans of creature features might find them intriguing, but those expecting a horror-centric experience are going to be underwhelmed. The story takes cues from movies like A Quiet Place, plunging viewers into a world where the "how" and "why" of the alien creatures' existence are treated as background details. While this approach works for building mystery, it also leaves a frustrating number of questions unanswered. It feels like part two of a trilogy, with gaps in the story that might have been better addressed in a more cohesive first installment. The pacing is another weak spot. Though there are moments of excitement, too much time is spent on slow, dialogue-heavy scenes that don't always advance the plot. The tension waxes and wanes unevenly, which undercuts the urgency of the mission. Still, the flick has an interesting concept and potential for expansion in a sequel. The dynamic between the leads, coupled with the ominous atmosphere and a few well-executed action sequences, offers glimpses of what the film could have been with a tighter script and more balanced pacing. Overall, it is a decent watch for fans of sci-fi action which I do fall into but falls short of its potential due to its incomplete story and uneven flow. While it might not elevate itself into greatness, it sets the stage for a continuation and/or a prequel that could provide the answers and excitement this installment lacked.
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