basildoneye

I have just seen The Pact on TV. It is superior to a lot of horror films I have seen. It is truly scary. I had never heard of it before and did not know there is a squeal. I liked that the action started right from the beginning and there was not a long slow build up. I had never seen the lead actress before and thought she was very good. I will not go into the story because you can read about it on the film's page. The lead has a strong personality and carries the film well. Sure she is a good looking lass, but she has good acting ability and able to carry off the action pieces with aplomb; better than most actresses. Why this did not have more publicity is a pity; but lack of money I suppose. I don't think it had a release in the UK. I whole heartedly recommend this film.

As a Sci-Fi fan, I looked forward to see this. The Earth in peril is not a new idea, and much of the film is derivative. 2001 and Contact come to mind. The acting is so-so. And the CGI is nothing special. It is also far too long, which I do not mind, if the film has the scope to need it. This one does not. Anne Hathaway: what is all the fuss about. Mathew is a fine actor, indeed one I did not like when first I saw him. The journey through the Wormhole was better done in Contact. And how come an ice cloud would not fall? The planets they reach are dull. Water without a sign of life. A frozen planet is not a place humans would like to settle. Then half way through I was completely baffled. (Spoiler alert). Why did Matt Damon's character rebel? Perhaps a revisit when on TV will clarify.

I read the book before I saw the film. In the book the original creature is different. On first viewing I got so frightened that I wanted to escape, but I sat with eyes lowered through the most tense sequences. It was not untill my third viewing could I watch the movie all the way through. The apperance of the Alien as it lowers itself behind Brett is remarkable, because one cannot make out what the thing is. The way Scott shot the monster presented it as truely 'alien'. No one had ever seen anything like it before. Now of course we are used to it, but then it scared you. The sets, the acting and the wonderful eerie music all congealed to lift an otherwise routine movie into a work of art. Subliminal, sexual and terrifing. Must be seen on the big screen.

At base this is a fable about military survival. No enemies left. The military will be cut. To save itself the military invent an enemy. Simplistic? The movie is a good analysis about social control. Enjoyable with a message about power. I recommend it.