Although "Retrograde" may be a tough find and I'm not sure of its shelf life, the film, on the whole, was not a bad piece of sci-fi entertainment for avid Dolph Lundgren and Gary Daniels fans. First and this is unfortunate, the film clearly didn't have the budget to really make it sparkle. However, for a Dolph movie, it's ambitious and different from the usual cop / secret service characters he's
played in the past. Also, Dolph looks pretty damn good for a guy in his mid- forties! The same holds true for Gary Daniels, who shines nicely in a fourth billing role, but who stays clear from his usual kick-boxing action.
From the start, Retrograde opens with some uneven and disjointed editing. In fact, this problematic issue presents itself later in the third act. There seems to be a scene missing between our lead villain, played with controlled intensity by Joe Montana and the film's spunky lead girl, Silvia De Santis. Also, the ending, feels like its missing something. Again, this may be due to money, time
constraints and or bad choices. In catching Kulikowski's first effort, the ultra low budget sci-fi drama, "Aurora", I doubt it had anything to do with him. His credits in post production are strong, but one never knows.
For a film of this type and budget, the effects weren't bad and the setting
interesting; an ice cutter and crew trapped in the Antarctic, battling a deadly off- world bacteria and a group of commandos sent from the future to kill them.
Other positives include the music score and action, once it gets going and the story, which holds up well, despite the occasional weak choice in editing and cinematography. There's also some very good performances by Gary Daniels,
Silvia De Santis, Joe Montana and the ice cutter's doctor, David Jean Thomas.
On a scale of one to ten, I give Retrograde a 7 1/2.
played in the past. Also, Dolph looks pretty damn good for a guy in his mid- forties! The same holds true for Gary Daniels, who shines nicely in a fourth billing role, but who stays clear from his usual kick-boxing action.
From the start, Retrograde opens with some uneven and disjointed editing. In fact, this problematic issue presents itself later in the third act. There seems to be a scene missing between our lead villain, played with controlled intensity by Joe Montana and the film's spunky lead girl, Silvia De Santis. Also, the ending, feels like its missing something. Again, this may be due to money, time
constraints and or bad choices. In catching Kulikowski's first effort, the ultra low budget sci-fi drama, "Aurora", I doubt it had anything to do with him. His credits in post production are strong, but one never knows.
For a film of this type and budget, the effects weren't bad and the setting
interesting; an ice cutter and crew trapped in the Antarctic, battling a deadly off- world bacteria and a group of commandos sent from the future to kill them.
Other positives include the music score and action, once it gets going and the story, which holds up well, despite the occasional weak choice in editing and cinematography. There's also some very good performances by Gary Daniels,
Silvia De Santis, Joe Montana and the ice cutter's doctor, David Jean Thomas.
On a scale of one to ten, I give Retrograde a 7 1/2.