This mega-low-budget science fiction thriller delivers on many levels, but causes yawns on a few others. But let's not start this blurb with bitchiness - first, a plot recap. A space shuttle thing crashes in the desert stranding the two man crew, who are both convicts. Quite why criminals are being trusted as test pilots is never explained, I assume because they are expected to crash and burn. Literally. After a bit of running and gunning with post-apocalyptic desert scavenger types (and some truly impressive visual background effects), they enter a labyrinthine series of tunnels to complete a secret mission which will earn them a reduction of their sentences. The film is basically a two hander for the first three quarters of hour, with Ike Aaron Stielstra and Brendan Guy Murphy carrying the show on their own. Great work by both, though it was strange to see Stielstra playing a "normal guy" rather than his usual gurning, gibbering retard. Took me a while to acclimatise. Unfortunately, once the two enter the underground tunnel system after a promising first ten minutes, things bog down with a buttload of talk, complaining and interpersonal waffle. Like Thomas Magnum lost at sea, the film treads water for far too long and this viewer started getting a bit fidgety. The welcome arrival of the babelicious Kimberly Parmon and a truly horrifying villain kickstarts things again, and things get scary and messy leading to a rousing but slightly predictable ending. Though the film, upon geeky analysis, is a mishmash of bits and pieces from a few other sci-fi and horror classics, there is enough originality and effort involved to make this a commendable feature. Special credit to the costume department for a fine line in utilitarian futurism. Well worth watching, and not just for fans of dissonant film scores created on a melted Korg keyboard.

This movie is unique to say the least.Effects may not compare to a big budget horror film,yet it still invokes interest, and keeps you guessing till the end.The ending I admit, is terrible. Disappointing and not inventive yes the rest of the movie makes up for it. I feel it needs an alternative ending at the least. This film has good background effects but is slightly painful for the eye's yet this scene lasts only a few minutes. Some things were not completely done. More post production was required. The little things were overlooked.Overall 8/10

Extremely promising sci-fi thriller boasts some spectacular production design and moments of satisfying action only to become diluted of much of its suspense and believability. This the result of a weak third act, and, worse, a tragic choice to inject fantasy into the movie's gritty atmosphere. Acting is strangely fragmented in places--likely the result of a long period of production--but the two leads have plenty of charisma and chemistry, even if, for playing hardened convicts, it's hard to accept them as anything but average, clean-cut joes in space-suits. Script doesn't allow its lead characters much variety of emotion, and one wishes for more surprises, even violence, to erupt between them. Considering their predicament, the convicts' bickering relationship grows wearisome, as well. The movie's subterranean hell-hole is magnificent to look at, yet doesn't detract from the amount of pedestrian travel in the movie. Thus, the on-screen time devoted to showing the characters' entries, exits, and steps in-between is enough to justify a retitling: "The Men Who Walked An Entire 90 Minute Running Time". Decent score is reminiscent of "Blade Runner" era Vangelis, and a John Carpenter style dirge near the end provides some welcome nostalgia for decent sci-fi/horror music. Vivid cinematography is a plus, as well. As for an earlier blurber making the ignorant (and curiously anonymous) comment about the unprofessional nature of some of the actors, it's not only inaccurate, but if there's anything "groan-inducing" about the performances, it's the movie's unfortunate grafting on of fantasy characters burdened by flowery language ("sun spiders"?). The contrast in style is jarring and the resulting scenes become an intrusion. Great diabolical effects and a rousing finale make this well worth a watch. Undoubtedly, a better than average straight-to-video genre film and deserving of more attention.

I loved this movie!! I don't know what the other critic was talking about. Everything seemed clear and to the point to me. The characters were established and the story line was easy to figure out. I guess some people no matter how old they are should stick with Bob the Builder and Dora the Explorer. I thought it was exceptional considering size of the budget they had to work with. The effects were awesome. The costumes were so..... "Like it would be" if it were the real thing; for lack of a better way to put it. Acting was good too. As far as the only critic I can see, come on guy, it's not rocket science nor a word search. Just pay attention. Really excellent job. When's the next one??