Thursday, March 16, 2017
Michael Allen
Director: Dagen Merrill.
Writers: Kevin Burke, Federico Fernandez-Armesto and Adam Gyngell.
Cast: Tom Sizemore, Sarah Habel and Dominic Monaghan.
Atomica is a science fiction and mystery film. From Lifeboat Productions, the film was originally titled Deep Burial. Completed for a couple of years now, the film has recently been picked up by SyFy Films, for a theatrical launch. The film stars only three actors: Tom Sizemore, Sarah Habel and Dominic Monaghan. All three actors gel well together as a nuclear power plant begins to meltdown. But, who is who and what is each characters' real motivation? The answers to these question are revealed in Act III. Along the way, the protagonist, Abby (Habel), shows that she is capable of anything and everything! Very much a Mary Sue, this central character required a few more foibles, to make her believable. This small detriment should not dissuade film fans from seeing this compelling sci-fi mystery, however.
In the future, people rely almost exclusively on nuclear power. One plant has been situated on an old nuclear disaster site. Here, it draws energy from the irradiated material, while cleaning the nearby ruins. Well, this is what the pamphlet says. Events inside are a bit less serene and much more hazardous. So, the character Abby is sent to investigate the plant, after communications are lost. She finds the power plant in disarray and the control room manned by one very unhinged character, Robinson (Monaghan). As Abby's investigation continues, she realizes that one worker is missing. And, the plant's "Red Zone (irradiated area)" is expanding. There are a few more mysteries for Abby to uncover and the journey to the truth is a compelling one.
Atomica facilitates a number of minor genres. But, this is centrally a mystery. Of course, the film is set in the future, making the film a science fiction film, partially. As well, the sets (created in an old missile silo) are also often futuristic, in their austere designs. Control panels beep and blink effectively enough. Meanwhile, there are elements of a revenge thriller, here too. It would be best to keep in secret who is motivated by what, for the sake of readers. Still, Atomica is centrally a mystery. Two of the characters are not who they initially appear to be. It takes a bit of unraveling and a number of great interplays and exchanges to discover who the actual villain is. All of the secrets are revealed in the final scenes and in an explosive third act.
There is only one film element this viewer disliked; the protagonist is able to do too much. Her competencies build her up to be almost God-like. Just a smattering of her skills include: mechanical engineering, electrician, welder, nurse or doctor, systems analyst, search and rescue operative, communications technician and on and on. Abby is very much a Mary Sue. In that, she is basically able to anything and everything. This makes the character too infallible and slightly unlikeable and very much unbelievable. Even into Act III, this very diminutive character is still showing new skills. In one scene, Abby knocks down one larger character as if a boxer, almost effortlessly. How can a character show so many competencies? The answer is she cannot. If she specializes on one or two technical skills, this would leave others impossible to train in. But, that is not the case with Abby and it comes across as ridiculous. Maybe a cybernetic chip or similar could have been added to this character's makeup, to make this character more believable. As it is, Abby is almost the perfect character, but she should not be.
SyFy Films has slated this film for theatres. The theatrical run will likely take place in Los Angeles and New York City, but there is no official word to confirm this. Fans can see the film on the little screen, via Video-on-demand, this March 21st and this film reviewer recommends that you do so. Independently shot, Atomica shows what a film should be: story and character driven. And, these characters are interesting, so are their interchanges. Though, some characters are less truthful than others. It is the viewer's job to figure out which character is doing what and for what reasons. Atomica's central character is overdone. However, everything else, from sets to effects, are excellent. This critic recommends you see the film on the big screen, or little screen and unravel the secrets of Atomica, for yourself.
Overall: 7.5 out of 10.
A trailer for the film, on 28DLA: An Atomica Trailer on 28DLA
An interview with the director, at Quiet Earth: Dagen Merrill at Quiet Earth (Interviewer: Chris Webster)
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Posted in: 2017,atomica,characterizations,characters,horror,movie,movie poster,movie review,review,science fiction,science fiction horror movie,thriller
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