Unfortunately, "Falling Fire" is one of the biggest duds we've seen in a long time.This 1998 Roger Corman New Horizons release is an unfocused, boring mish-mash. It is clearly a cash-in on the then-current rash of sci-fi hits such as Armageddon (1998), Deep Impact (1998), Johnny Mnemonic (1995), Starship Troopers (1997) Virtuosity (1995), Event Horizon (1997), Deep Rising (1998) and it even manages to rip-off the classic 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). It is especially similar to the more well-known Supernova (2000-filmed in 1998).Set in space, the plot seems to be some twaddle about a ragtag team of explorers supposedly trying to stop a huge meteor from hitting earth. Meanwhile Captain Daryl Boden (Paré) is having family troubles back on earth. His wife (Von Palleske) even gets into some hot water herself when she gets shot in the foot by the main baddie. Will they save earth from impending destruction? Will Paré emote more than Jeff Fahey or a piece of wood? (Don't) find out tonight! Also trying to horn in on the "V.R. craze" of the mid-1990s, any episode of the kids TV show "V.R. Troopers" (1994-1996) is better than this dreck. The most positive aspect of the movie we can name is the special effects were probably decent for the budget they had and the time it was made. Sadly though, the finished product is tedious with characters talking about scientific gobbledygook instead of making sense or even having action scenes.We believe we have come up with a reason why Fire is so disjointed and nonsensical and thus not engaging to the viewer: It seems the movie was longer at one point and was haphazardly edited down to a manageable length. The Canadian version under the odd title "The Cusp" has scenes not in the American release.We all love Paré and even he is slumming this time around. It seems he is sleepwalking and this is not his best moment. He brings no energy, but that is quite apropos as the whole production has no life. Paré was just along for the slow space ride. We also suspect that the American title was changed to Falling Fire to cash-in on Paré's most well-known work Streets Of Fire (1984).Apparently the chemistry of Paré & Heidi von Palleske was so great after their double whammy of Strip Search (1997) and 2013: The Deadly Wake (1997) it was decided they appear again together in this flick. They should have quit while they were ahead.This has a direct-to-cable feel and this is an example of a movie that has a short running time but feels much longer. The effects make the asteroid in question look like a gigantic piece of burnt toast and it occurred to us that the entire movie is like one big piece of burnt toast.Douse out this "Fire" tonight! For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

I'm obviously in the minority here, but I really enjoyed this film. Terrorism in Space. The religious terrorist cult aspect of the film is now (2007) more relevant than pre-911 which is when this movie was produced. Based on the user comments herein, it's unfortunate that Hollywood's 'big budget - big stars' treatment of asteroid doomsday impact seem to have biased the north American audience against a low budget version. I would recommend reading The Hammer of God and then seeing this film. Unfortunately the movie ends with the close encounter - atmospheric rebound as the asteroid glances off the earth's atmosphere. Even a near miss would be catastrophic with an object of this size. The final shot of the movie shows a minor streak high in the earth's atmosphere as children play on a beach. The meteor streaks by briefly. Earth is saved. The truth is even a near miss would have global climate impacts. The terrorists would win, but that's another movie I guess. ........

C'mon! It's not that bad. Oscar material, no, but as a human interest story it's actually pretty good. Different kind of twist with the male lead (Pare) involved shipboard with a girl who turns out to be a "baddie," while his soon-to-be-ex-wife back on earth helps save the day ...If you take the story on its own and don't try to compare it to the blockbusters like "Armageddon" or "Deep Impact," it's really quite enjoyable. The effects are pretty good too. And the added dimension of environmental terrorism is quite nineties and, if you live in a "green-aware" place like I do, really quite unnerving and all too believable. Pare is a terrific actor and, though all too often unfortunately paired with lesser talents, nevertheless manages to give quite a good performance. Give it a try.

Sci-fi filmmaking has hit a new low with this tired re-hashing of the "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact" genre. Not surprising as the film is one in a long line of bombs from Producers Network Associates ("Deadly Wake", "Future Fear", "Replikator", etc.). Yet again they have pulled in the talented Michael Pare and reduced his acting abilities to the lowest common denominator; good-looks and sex appeal.Michael Pare who has shown his incredible capabilities in such hit films as "Eddie and the Cruisers" and "Hope Floats", is directed to mumble his way through this space adventure which, despite its dull and unbelievable plot, actually looks as though PNA put some dollars into the effects. The space walk scenes rival anything coming out of a major studio. Unfortunately that's as good as it gets and the audience will find themselves begging for the asteroid to destroy Michael Pare's spacecraft and put a quick end to this incredibly dull film.