The Movie

When movies get yanked from their scheduled theatrical release by their studio it should tell you two things. First, that it's not going to be a spectacular movie in either plot or execution. And second, that it shouldn't be utterly horrible because it was at one time on the schedule for a theatrical release. So a decent effort went into the production of the movie, yet it was ultimately pulled because it didn't turn out they way they hoped it would. Final Encounter falls into this category.

Final Encounter tries hard to be a contender with its decent cast of Dean Cain (TV's Superman) and Thomas Ian Griffith (XXX) and its top-notch special effects. But somehow it just doesn't come together very nicely when it's all said and done. For starters, Thomas Griffith doesn't have that big of a part, and he's one of the headlining characters. Even Dean Cain's part isn't the leading role in this film. Yet who's two mugs do you see on the box cover? Ironically, it's Jodi Bianca Wise, a relatively unknown actress, who gives the best performance by far. The movie claims to be an "action-packed sci-fi thriller" yet the action is ho-hum at best, and I never got the impression that the movie was all that thrilling. To its credit, it definitely had its moments of suspense, especially after the very slow beginning. But as the movie paces on, you soon get every futuristic sci-fi war movie cliché thrown right back in your face.

Two human colonies have emerged and are in the 99th year of a bloody and senseless civil war. Both colonies are near collapse, and the fate of their race and the hopes of peace fall into the hands of our heroes. Final Encounter is supposedly set on a distant Earth-like planet. Yet the movie never makes the effort to tell you this, so you have to figure it out on your own. Problem is, most will come to the conclusion that they are on Earth, in the future. So immediately it gets off to a bad start. The best thing this movie has going for it is the excellent special effects and beautiful background matt paintings. The background art and special effects are the only real props used to make the viewer feel like they're watching a movie set in the future. Without these elements, you'd think you're watching an above average movie made by film students. The sets look cheesy, and the hokey costumes are surprisingly clean, which doesn't click well with the plot line.

Watching this movie was kind of like riding a roller coaster. My expectations were very low at the beginning, then they dropped even lower after the first 10 minutes, then they started to rise a little in the middle, but ultimately fell like a rock at the end. I always want sci-fi movies to be good, because I love the genre so much. But it just seems like good sci-fi movies are becoming harder to find these days.


The DVD

Video: Final Encounter is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen and is enhanced for 16x9 TV's. The video is clean and clear and looks very good overall. It's not stunning, but it falls right in the average category. Colors look decent, though they appear to be slightly dull and fail to pop off the screen. This movie looks its best when the special effects are in full swing.

Audio: Armed with a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track, Final Encounter proves to have a restrained audio presence. The rear surrounds get little use; yet do offer an occasional realistic touch, especially when gunfire is present. Dialogue was slightly hard to hear during the lengthy (long, and too frequent) exposition scenes, but easily heard during the relatively few action scenes.

Extras: No real features here. All you get are some movie trailers.


Final Thoughts

Based on the popular video game "Warhammer," Final Encounter never really accomplishes the thrilling action it was trying to recreate. The plot doesn't hold well at all. The action isn't very exciting. And the surprise twists leave you saying "huh?" Hardcore science fiction fans will be drawn to this movie, but I would suggest against seeing it if you don't fall in this group. The movie may have wonderful special effects but it's not enough to make it into a worthwhile or truly enjoyable movie. Skip it.