The Signal

Discussion in 'SciFi & Fantasy' started by Magical Realist, Jun 7, 2014.

  1. Magical Realist Valued Senior Member

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    "Throughout the many years of the Sundance Film Festival, a handful of outstanding, original, indie science fiction films have premiered here - Cube, Primer, Donnie Darko and Sound of My Voice to name a few. One of the next new awesome sci-fi creations to make its mark at Sundance is called The Signal, not related to the anthology horror film of the same name which also played at this festival a few years ago. Directed by up-and-comer William Eubank (follow him @superswift), The Signal is a thrilling, keep-you-guessing sci-fi action thriller that is more more gripping and entertaining that I could have ever imagined.

    It's very hard to talk about The Signal without giving away a few of its key plot twists, which are best kept a secret if you want the best experience with this film. In the opening scenes we're introduced to three friends, played by Brenton Thwaites, Olivia Cooke & Beau Knapp, who seem to be involved in a hack-off with a person known as "Nomad", who they first encountered when he hacked MIT servers. They're planning to defeat him at Defcon, but they've hacked him in reverse and discovered that they can confront him in person. Once they arrive at a decrepit shack in the middle of nowhere Nevada in the middle of the night, shit gets crazy. From there on out, the film effectively keeps us guessing what really happened / is happening.

    Where it goes from there is not only compelling to watch in a "what the fuck is going on?!" kind of way, but it's exciting, and eventually it becomes awesome. After that first encounter at the shack, we meet Laurence Fishburne, who gives a very Morpheus-like performances in a key role that is best left hidden in the film. It might be too much to say that the film has a Cube-like idea behind it, but it's also inspired by the kinds of mysteries found in "Twilight Zone" and hinges on the thrilling storytelling that worked so well with "Lost". If you're a big fan of any of those references, then this film will certainly keep you intrigued and entertained.

    Where The Signal exceeds any expectations is in its execution and visual prowess, showcasing an incredible amount of talent in storytelling. Where it encounters some troubles is in the way it introduces almost way too many ideas, hints, teases and little threads of concepts that never actually lead to anything in the end. It's almost as if they're planning to continue this into a sequel, or even an entire series of films, but we have to wait until the next one to tie up some loose ends. Despite these minor inconsistencies and convoluted plot elements, it's still an awesome sci-fi film that delivers in terms of thrilling, creepy, rousing entertainment. I'll be watching William Eubank's career closely from now on, and I'm already anxiously awaiting the sequel."----http://www.firstshowing.net/2014/sundance-2014-awesome-original-sci-fi-creation-the-signal-thrills/

    Alex's Sundance 2014 Rating: 8 out of 10

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  3. youreyes amorphous ocean Valued Senior Member

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    I don't know, just doesn't feel too bright of a movie. Id give it a 5outof10
     
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  5. portuswebs Registered Member

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    An average of 6.5/10. I might take the risk...
     
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  7. youreyes amorphous ocean Valued Senior Member

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    So I saw the movie, I have to say I will now give it a 4 out of 10. The positive point come from the main actor, but the storyline is lacking. The end is great of course with them being on spacecraft and all...but the director should have had some sort of cracks in their reality to let the viewer assume that something more sinister was going on there besides just normal town happenings. Him having a new leg and the friend having an arm...ok, but seriously they get teleported to a spacecraft full of these simulations of the past and the best technology that the aliens could give them was this mechanical absurdity (which based on their holograph technology the aliens could have easily made into what looks like a normal hand and leg)

    Dissapointing, although dramatic at times. And I give props to the young actor, I see him in future films, with a different more talented director.

    I mean the storyline is sort of a mix between Resident Evil, Thirteenth Floor, and Fire in The Sky.
     

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