Event
Horizon (1997)Event
Horizon (1997)
Starring Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson,
Richard T. Jones, Jack Noseworthy, Jason Isaacs, and Sean Pertwee.
Written by Philip Eisner.
Directed by Paul Anderson.
Grade: B-
Review by Carlo Cavagna.
In the mid-21st Century, the Event Horizon is launched
into space to test a new propulsion system that permits instantaneous travel
between points light years apart by folding space and creating a gateway. The
Event Horizon disappears without a trace and mysteriously reappears seven years
later orbiting Neptune. 
A
rescue ship, the Lewis and Clark, commanded by Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne),
is dispatched to investigate. With them is Dr. William Weir (Sam Neill), the
designer of the Event Horizon. They find the Event Horizon deserted. It soon
becomes apparent, however, that they are not alone.
More of a horror movie than a science fiction movie, Event Horizon is a cross between The Shining and Hellraiser set in deep space. Nowadays it's rare to see a horror film that patiently builds up the tension before the inevitable bloodbath. Unlike Wes Craven and his ilk, however, director Paul Anderson (Mortal Kombat) takes his time. I haven't seen atmospheric buildup of tension this good since Alien and, well..., The Shining, both of which were released nearly twenty years ago. Unfortunately Event Horizon deteriorates towards the end, employing some second-rate horror film devices, and it was a box office failure. Highly underrated nevertheless, Event Horizon is worth seeing, as long as you don't mind some gruesome violence.
Review © May 1999 by AboutFilm.Com and
the author.
Image © 1997 by Paramount Pictures. All rights
reserved.
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