A team of aspiring FBI profilers are flown to a remote island called Oneiga where others of their kind are trained. Overseen by an eccentric supervisor, Harris (Val Kilmer), their skills are put to the ultimate test when it seems that one of them has caught the killing bug themselves. And this psychopath knows just how to play to the skills and weaknesses of each character. Tensions flare among the group when they take turns suspecting each other.
Renny Harlin, director of such epics as "Die Hard 2" and "Cliffhanger", is clearly the right kind of guy for this sort of popcorn fare. It's pretty slick stuff, and the story *is* entertaining if also ridiculous at every turn. It's shot in a visually stark manner, with an almost monochromatic look. The production design by Charles Wood is pretty damn impressive. Things get rather gory at times, but suspense is minimal.
Although the screenplay by Wayne Kramer (director of "The Cooler" and "Running Scared" (2006)) is always taking turns making characters look suspicious, ultimately the big reveal is not terribly surprising. This viewer was reminded of John Carpenters' "The Thing" while watching (there's even a blood testing plot point). The closest thing that the story has to a likable, sympathetic character is Sara Moore (Kathryn Morris); there just aren't that many people here worth giving a damn about.
Not that the actors can be faulted. Morris is an appealing lead, while LL Cool J is given the opportunity to show off his physique, commit heroic acts, and basically be a bad ass. Eion Bailey, Clifton Collins Jr., Will Kemp, Jonny Lee Miller, Christian Slater, and Patricia Velasquez co-star. Slater has quite a memorable departure from the story.
Overall, this is rather silly, but it entertains in its own crazed way.
Seven out of 10.
Renny Harlin, director of such epics as "Die Hard 2" and "Cliffhanger", is clearly the right kind of guy for this sort of popcorn fare. It's pretty slick stuff, and the story *is* entertaining if also ridiculous at every turn. It's shot in a visually stark manner, with an almost monochromatic look. The production design by Charles Wood is pretty damn impressive. Things get rather gory at times, but suspense is minimal.
Although the screenplay by Wayne Kramer (director of "The Cooler" and "Running Scared" (2006)) is always taking turns making characters look suspicious, ultimately the big reveal is not terribly surprising. This viewer was reminded of John Carpenters' "The Thing" while watching (there's even a blood testing plot point). The closest thing that the story has to a likable, sympathetic character is Sara Moore (Kathryn Morris); there just aren't that many people here worth giving a damn about.
Not that the actors can be faulted. Morris is an appealing lead, while LL Cool J is given the opportunity to show off his physique, commit heroic acts, and basically be a bad ass. Eion Bailey, Clifton Collins Jr., Will Kemp, Jonny Lee Miller, Christian Slater, and Patricia Velasquez co-star. Slater has quite a memorable departure from the story.
Overall, this is rather silly, but it entertains in its own crazed way.
Seven out of 10.