Wow! Here's a low-budget sf-based but hybrid shocker that doesn't pull any punches, and depending upon your acceptance of an almost unbearable
scenario, you might enjoy the film as much as I did.
The film opens with an announcement by the Spanish government that an extinction event will occur in 82 hours. A 30-mile-wide "meteorite" (that acts more like a small comet) is due to hit the Earth in that time. Major countries have known about this possibility for 3 years, and somehow have tried to either destroy the rock or alter its course during that time. They failed. Now advance chunks of the rock are entering the atmosphere, taking down planes, causing widespread destruction and panic. Law enforcement breaks down, and prison riots successfully release hundreds of prisoners, including a serial child killer named Soros, who has vowed to wreak vengeance on the family of Tomas, the young man who identified him and caused his incarceration.
The story is told primarily by Tomas's mother and younger brother, Ale, a ne'er-do-well, lethargic bum who barely makes ends meet by living with his mother and doing odd jobs around the city. When the news of both the extinction event and the breakdown of the prison housing Soros occurs, the mother takes Ale to the home of Tomas, his wife, and the four grandchildren. The children are alone. Tomas and his wife have gone into the city apparently, so it's up to the grandmother and Uncle Ale to take care of the children, fearing the return of Soros while waiting for the end of the world. There are surprises occurring throughout the short 93-minute (plus credits) run time that make the final 15-20 minutes almost unbearable to watch. The minimal special effects are used very selectively and work well within the storyline.
Direction by F. Javier Gutierrez is quite good for only his third film. The acting is terrific across the board, even from the children. Photography is done in that flat, bright, almost colorless style that works pretty well when you think of the impending disaster. The story rolls out slowly but inexorably, building and building to the climax.
This is a grim, gritty film that delivers if you can generate some emotional investment in the characters. I did, and boy, was the payoff successful.
Highly recommended, with the caveats listed accordingly.
... Reed
The film opens with an announcement by the Spanish government that an extinction event will occur in 82 hours. A 30-mile-wide "meteorite" (that acts more like a small comet) is due to hit the Earth in that time. Major countries have known about this possibility for 3 years, and somehow have tried to either destroy the rock or alter its course during that time. They failed. Now advance chunks of the rock are entering the atmosphere, taking down planes, causing widespread destruction and panic. Law enforcement breaks down, and prison riots successfully release hundreds of prisoners, including a serial child killer named Soros, who has vowed to wreak vengeance on the family of Tomas, the young man who identified him and caused his incarceration.
The story is told primarily by Tomas's mother and younger brother, Ale, a ne'er-do-well, lethargic bum who barely makes ends meet by living with his mother and doing odd jobs around the city. When the news of both the extinction event and the breakdown of the prison housing Soros occurs, the mother takes Ale to the home of Tomas, his wife, and the four grandchildren. The children are alone. Tomas and his wife have gone into the city apparently, so it's up to the grandmother and Uncle Ale to take care of the children, fearing the return of Soros while waiting for the end of the world. There are surprises occurring throughout the short 93-minute (plus credits) run time that make the final 15-20 minutes almost unbearable to watch. The minimal special effects are used very selectively and work well within the storyline.
Direction by F. Javier Gutierrez is quite good for only his third film. The acting is terrific across the board, even from the children. Photography is done in that flat, bright, almost colorless style that works pretty well when you think of the impending disaster. The story rolls out slowly but inexorably, building and building to the climax.
This is a grim, gritty film that delivers if you can generate some emotional investment in the characters. I did, and boy, was the payoff successful.
Highly recommended, with the caveats listed accordingly.
... Reed
