| Product: |
White Noise 2: The Light (DVD) |
| Date: |
09/07/07 (82 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Interesting concept
Disadvantages: Ruined by poor special effects, direction and acting
I have noticed as a genre fan that is you become a fan favourite you are likely to get work for the rest of your career. Every time that a new science fiction or fantasy shows comes out a set number of genre heroes are likely to pop up in a cameo or extended guest star roles. ‘Xena’ finished? Don’t worry Lucy Lawless; there is always a place for you in the ‘Outer Limits’. Finished filming the 8th sequel to ‘Reanimator’? Don’t worry Mt Jeffrey Combs because there is a place for you in ‘4400’ or ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’. Essentially if you become a hit in a genre show you may be trapped in schlock hell, but at least you still get work. So it is with great honour that a welcome a new name to the genre list – Nathan Fillion. Breakthrough star in ‘Firefly’ and now genre stalwart in ‘Slither’ and ‘White Noise 2: The Light’. Does Fillion possess the know how to make a decent enough genre pic to break into the mainstream?
Abe (Fillion) is a haunted man. He has witnessed the messy execution of his wife and child and he no longer feels the need to be alive. Therefore, he decides to commit suicide. However, like many people he is saved before he can die, but before this he is taken to a tunnel and ‘sees the light’. Upon revival Abe soon realises that his life will never be the same. Random people that he meets in the street suddenly let off a strange light. Abe discovers that these people are destined to die soon and he decides to prevent their deaths. Will changing destiny cause any issues? Why when investigating the man who murders his family does he feel a certain kinship? Perhaps playing with death’s design is not such a wise choice after all?
‘White Noise 2’ is the sequel to the moderate hit starring Michael Keaton about a man who hears the dead through TV static and radio. My first impressions were that this film did not really need a sequel as it was self contained. However, I actually feel that ‘White Noise 2’ has an interesting enough central premise to exist. On the positive side I really liked the idea of the ability to see who is about to die. This gave the film an edge over its predecessor and makes for some exciting set pieces. I was also impressed with the direction the film took when investigating that saving someone from death may actually be a bad thing.
With a strong central theme and an interesting set of ideas it is the other areas of the film that let it down for me. This is a budget film, but it was given a limited cinema release, this means that I expect a certain standard that was not met. Firstly, the special effects where not up to scratch. The CGI was reasonable, but the make up used on the ghouls and ghosts was abysmal. The poor special effects were not helped by the schlock horror way of the ghouls appearing. Lussier, the director, used every tired cliché in the book, and also the new tired clichés that have come to represent the new horror-lite genre. Is our hero looking into a mirror? What a surprise when he suddenly turns around to see a ghost. This method often works for a quick shock, but the make up is so poor that I found it funny.
The film is also hampered by some dodgy acting. Fillion as the hero is the stand out best actor in the film and he is a good person to follow through the story. He is able to portray loss and anger very well. This standard can not be said of the rest of the cast. The love interest Sherry (Katee Sackhoff) is awful. Not only was she mutton dressed as lamb but she could not act her way out of a paper bag. To make matters worse Abe’s nemesis is played by Craig Fairbrass, he of ‘Eastenders’ and ‘Cliffhanger’ fame. There is nothing worse then having an actor like this to ruin your suspension of disbelief.
The film as a whole suffers from it low budget roots. To an extent Lussier does a good job in papering over the cracks. The first third in particular is well written and directed; unfortunately when the more ‘scary’ parts begin we are given a lesson in bland horror. I would have preferred the film to have explored the more paranormal aspects of the film using suggestion rather than special effects. This would not only have hidden a multitude of sins but also allowed the writers to explore the more interesting philosophical debates about near death experiences. For fans of death design films I suggest ‘Final Destination 1-3’ whilst something like the US ‘Grudge’ remake or ‘An American Haunting’ are better at giving cheap thrills. I really wanted to enjoy this film but its lack of ambition and budget means that Fillion may find himself a genre actor for a while longer yet.
Director: Patrick Lussier
Year: 2006
Cert: 15
Starring: Nathan Fillion
Price: Amazon uk £12.98
Play.com £12.99
Extras
A vanilla disc for a cheap film.
Summary: Another cheap horror-lite that are two a penny
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