When I saw this on the shelf, I didn't know what to expect, I thought "Oh, another low-budget sci-fi movie that might be worth a watch."...I was wrong. This film captured and amazed me.
The first half an hour or so contains no dialogue...and doesn't need one. The visions and portrayal of a man cold, lonely, confused, alone and on a mission as enough to make your hairs stand up on end! The eerie lighting sets the mood along with the beautifully composed soundtrack. This is definitely a moment for a real thinker, not just a movie-watcher. I hear people complain about the mutants not being shown enough, to be honest it's not that kind of film...I thought they were scary in their mysticism especially when Tolbiac meets the Botanist in the research room and they're running around outside!
The acting is spot on. Cold, to-the-point and it just goes to show you don't need buckets of script in order to portray emotion. The scene in the elevator is enough to turn anyone's stomach, but also to leave you feeling shocked and bewildered.
OK, so the graphics aren't top quality...but this is not on the big-budget level of no-brainers like Transformers too, and to be honest we've had quite enough of those busting through the screens. Whatever happened to intelligent, creepy Sci-Fi that leaves you breathless, like The Thing and Alien? The set is very basic, but also extremely complex in places, like the boxes, the electronic gates, the huge stairwell on sub level 4. The director obviously put a lot of thought into what he was trying to portray and what kind of atmosphere an underground research station would have. He's done a bloody good job at that! At the end of the day, it's a lot more effective than clearing the streets of London for a 2-second shot!
The story? Oh it has one! The plot? You just need to use your brain! It's all explained, but also leaves you questioning so many twists and turns, along with the morality of man and its abuse towards nature and science. When will we ever stop "milking mother nature" before it bites back...that kind of thing!
I have also heard mixed reviews on this movie, but I've been a big fan of sci-fi and horror for years, and to be honest, this tops the bill...it didn't get enough good reviews and I will be spreading the word for my fellow fans to at least check it out and cast their own opinions. Hurrah for French movies and the intelligently beautiful screenplay!