NEW YORK -- Despite its opening credit sequence featuring comic book-style illustrations, Ultraviolet was not inspired by an actual comic but rather, believe it or not, by John Cassavetes' Gloria. This futuristic tale of a genetic mutant woman blessed with otherworldly abilities attempting to protect a young boy from murderous humans is the latest entry in the "This film is so bad we're not screening it for critics" genre. As usual for this sort of thing, expect a big opening weekend followed by an immense drop-off, with video riches in store.
Milla Jovovich, who has, thanks to The Fifth Element and the Resident Evil series, become the go-to babe for sci-fi, stars as the scantily clad Violet, who displays a mean aptitude for weaponry of all kinds combined with dazzling gymnastic feats and martial arts. It takes only a few minutes for her character to hear this directive that will no doubt gladden the hearts of the sci-fi geeks in attendance: "Please remove all articles of clothing and proceed into the scanner."
Violet is part of a race of genetically modified mutants slated for extermination by the majority humans. While attempting to protect a 10-year-old dubbed "Six" (Cameron Bright), she's hunted down by the villainous Daxus (Nick Chinlund) and his minions. We know Daxus is bad by the tight black suit he wears as well as the metal nose plugs that somehow don't produce a nasal tone in his voice.
Aided by Garth (William Fichtner), a sympathetic fellow mutant, Violet goes on the run, frequently engaging in numerous battles with an assortment of evildoers.
The tale, beginning with narrated flashbacks that make it curiously seem like a sequel, essentially is an excuse for a seemingly endless series of ultraviolet, uh, ultraviolent, action scenes in which the titular character kicks serious male butt. Although extravagantly staged, they're more than a little derivative; a rooftop gun battle and a highly choreographed swordfight owe more than a little to The Matrix and Kill Bill, respectively.
Other sequences are rather more ridiculous, such as one in which Violet makes deadly use of her opponent's dreadlocks and a flaming swordfight that looks like something out of Cirque du Soleil.
Director Kurt Wimmer, filming in high-definition video, uses extensive visual tricks to produce a comic book-style effect, with mostly ugly-looking results. There are at least some notable locations thanks to the extensive use made of various futuristic looking buildings in Shanghai.
Fortunately, the film comes in at a brisk running time, with only the threat of the inevitable sequel dampening the relief that it's over.
Ultraviolet
Screen Gems
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: Kurt Wimmer
Producer: John Baldecchi
Executive producers: Tony Mark, Sue Jett, T.C. Wang, Charles Wang
Director of photography: Arthur Wong Ngok Tai
Production designer: Choo Sung Pong
Editor: William Yeh
Costume designer: Joseph Porro
Music: Klaus Badelt
Cast:
Violet: Milla Jovovich
Six: Cameron Bright
Daxus: Nick Chinlund
Nerva: Sebastien Andrieu
Young Violet: Ida Martin
Garth: William Fichtner
BF-1: David Collier
Detective Cross: Kieran O'Rorke
MPAA rating PG-13
Running time -- 88 minutes...
Milla Jovovich, who has, thanks to The Fifth Element and the Resident Evil series, become the go-to babe for sci-fi, stars as the scantily clad Violet, who displays a mean aptitude for weaponry of all kinds combined with dazzling gymnastic feats and martial arts. It takes only a few minutes for her character to hear this directive that will no doubt gladden the hearts of the sci-fi geeks in attendance: "Please remove all articles of clothing and proceed into the scanner."
Violet is part of a race of genetically modified mutants slated for extermination by the majority humans. While attempting to protect a 10-year-old dubbed "Six" (Cameron Bright), she's hunted down by the villainous Daxus (Nick Chinlund) and his minions. We know Daxus is bad by the tight black suit he wears as well as the metal nose plugs that somehow don't produce a nasal tone in his voice.
Aided by Garth (William Fichtner), a sympathetic fellow mutant, Violet goes on the run, frequently engaging in numerous battles with an assortment of evildoers.
The tale, beginning with narrated flashbacks that make it curiously seem like a sequel, essentially is an excuse for a seemingly endless series of ultraviolet, uh, ultraviolent, action scenes in which the titular character kicks serious male butt. Although extravagantly staged, they're more than a little derivative; a rooftop gun battle and a highly choreographed swordfight owe more than a little to The Matrix and Kill Bill, respectively.
Other sequences are rather more ridiculous, such as one in which Violet makes deadly use of her opponent's dreadlocks and a flaming swordfight that looks like something out of Cirque du Soleil.
Director Kurt Wimmer, filming in high-definition video, uses extensive visual tricks to produce a comic book-style effect, with mostly ugly-looking results. There are at least some notable locations thanks to the extensive use made of various futuristic looking buildings in Shanghai.
Fortunately, the film comes in at a brisk running time, with only the threat of the inevitable sequel dampening the relief that it's over.
Ultraviolet
Screen Gems
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: Kurt Wimmer
Producer: John Baldecchi
Executive producers: Tony Mark, Sue Jett, T.C. Wang, Charles Wang
Director of photography: Arthur Wong Ngok Tai
Production designer: Choo Sung Pong
Editor: William Yeh
Costume designer: Joseph Porro
Music: Klaus Badelt
Cast:
Violet: Milla Jovovich
Six: Cameron Bright
Daxus: Nick Chinlund
Nerva: Sebastien Andrieu
Young Violet: Ida Martin
Garth: William Fichtner
BF-1: David Collier
Detective Cross: Kieran O'Rorke
MPAA rating PG-13
Running time -- 88 minutes...
- 3/17/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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