Was in the mood for an epic film, and browsing movies available for free on Youtube, I settled on "Terminus." I didn't have high or low expectations either way, not having watched the trailer, and casually watched the movie while playing mobile games. Making these qualifications, here is my review:
I like how my expectations were played to and subverted regarding the two agents we see in the first scene of the film, Agent Stipe (Bren Foster) and Agent Lubinski (William Emmons). One is broadfaced, charismatic and trustworthy looking, while the other is spindly, narrow and hangs in the shadows. I liked the role reversal going on, and with a theme like "don't trust the government," you can guess what that implies.
While I did appreciate the broader arc with the agents, I still felt there was a lack of middle steps getting Agent Lubinski in particular from acting as an accessory to Agent Stipe's crimes in the line of duty to preventing him from performing them. There was enough motivation shown, perhaps, but not enough background to either Agent Lubinski's character or to overall story in general to get the viewer 100% on the ride. It could be I just missed it.
"Terminus" is a B movie, with characters that are just a bit too generic or who don't sell their roles completely, and with a plot that kind of adds up but also feels a bit thin while also feeling drawn out. I did check the length of the movie on two occasions. At some points, "Terminus" has more of the pacing of a TV show episode than a feature length movie, although for me it did pick up again.
I think, though, as a B movie, "Terminus" is very sufficient. As others noted Kendra Appleton who plays the daughter has an empathetic performance (though again, lacking background), and Jai Koutrae who plays her dad is convincing, and also Agent Stipe is a piece of work in a compelling way.
I also did enjoy the themes of the movie, like Kendra Appleton's character says, "What is bad never lasts." "Terminus" is an interesting blend of grim, apocalyptic, and optimistic. For once, the aliens are the good guys.
Overall I think "Terminus" is a quality film, and an original one, although it has a variety of occasional setbacks. 7.5/10.
P.S.. I will also note that I didn't questions that the movie was set in America, because of how there was a Spanish speaking person, and I think the actors did a standard American accent well. I didn't guess the movie was set in Australia. However I am not sure the movie had to be set in America, and if it did, I don't think the setting was exploited much. For me, not really a plus or a minus.
I like how my expectations were played to and subverted regarding the two agents we see in the first scene of the film, Agent Stipe (Bren Foster) and Agent Lubinski (William Emmons). One is broadfaced, charismatic and trustworthy looking, while the other is spindly, narrow and hangs in the shadows. I liked the role reversal going on, and with a theme like "don't trust the government," you can guess what that implies.
While I did appreciate the broader arc with the agents, I still felt there was a lack of middle steps getting Agent Lubinski in particular from acting as an accessory to Agent Stipe's crimes in the line of duty to preventing him from performing them. There was enough motivation shown, perhaps, but not enough background to either Agent Lubinski's character or to overall story in general to get the viewer 100% on the ride. It could be I just missed it.
"Terminus" is a B movie, with characters that are just a bit too generic or who don't sell their roles completely, and with a plot that kind of adds up but also feels a bit thin while also feeling drawn out. I did check the length of the movie on two occasions. At some points, "Terminus" has more of the pacing of a TV show episode than a feature length movie, although for me it did pick up again.
I think, though, as a B movie, "Terminus" is very sufficient. As others noted Kendra Appleton who plays the daughter has an empathetic performance (though again, lacking background), and Jai Koutrae who plays her dad is convincing, and also Agent Stipe is a piece of work in a compelling way.
I also did enjoy the themes of the movie, like Kendra Appleton's character says, "What is bad never lasts." "Terminus" is an interesting blend of grim, apocalyptic, and optimistic. For once, the aliens are the good guys.
Overall I think "Terminus" is a quality film, and an original one, although it has a variety of occasional setbacks. 7.5/10.
P.S.. I will also note that I didn't questions that the movie was set in America, because of how there was a Spanish speaking person, and I think the actors did a standard American accent well. I didn't guess the movie was set in Australia. However I am not sure the movie had to be set in America, and if it did, I don't think the setting was exploited much. For me, not really a plus or a minus.