Zodiac: Signs of the Apocalypse is another in a growing line of TV movies that air on the SyFy Channel in the mold of Roger Corman films to a degree. Take an already unbelievable antagonist, make it that way, make the protagonist someone who has some sort of superficial conflict with another character, and work through that as they save themselves and/or the world from disaster. If you know that about the film going in, that it will be a little bit trashy, it does help in suspending disbelief. But it doesn't cure things, that's for sure.

The film is written by David Sanderson (Snowmageddon) and directed by David Hogan, who directed Pamela Anderson's debut vehicle Barb Wire. An elaborate but also centuries old drawing in discovered in Peru, and shortly after its discovery, the Earth suffers meteor showers. But since Zodiac and all, this is one of twelve plagues that will devastate the Earth, as we eventually find out. It eventually falls on Neil (Joel Gretsch, Minority Report) and his rebellious son Colin (Reilly Dolman, Flicka 2) to try and figure out what the drawings actually mean and to try and solve them before the world is devastated.

When it comes to your standard film on the SyFy channel that is firmly sponsored by the letter "B", I cannot help but try to apply my theorem of bad movies to it. So you know going in that the concept is going to be ridiculous, but like other movies before it, Zodiac: Signs of the Apocalypse either does not want to embrace the goofyness or just isn't aware of it. Though there may be a third angle involved, that the hook is a little in left field, those involved with the production ARE aware of that, and thus are left a little confused on how to deliver the final product to viewers. The film delivers the computer-generated floods, meteors, pestilence and locusts (the last two may be overstating things), but the cast seems non-plussed and thus the film is left as just…happening in front of you, lacking, anything, really.

As far as the ensemble go, they pretty much fill the roles as much as you would expect. Gretsch and Dolman are paint by numbers for their performances, and Emily Holmes (Snakes on a Plane) and Andrea Brooks (50/50) play the role of supporting actors and the closest thing to romantic interest the film has. They're along for the ride and are apathetic about it, which kind of applies for those who come in contact with Zodiac: Signs of the Apocalypse, if we're being honest.

A lot of responses to films could easily be chalked up to "eh, you're just a film critic, you don't like anything," which always annoys me. I'd much prefer a movie to stand up for itself and announce what it is and/or wants to do, as opposed to doing nothing at all. And largely that is what Zodiac: Signs of the Apocalypse does, nothing at all, and a lot of films pull off a similar charade, and that is what's annoying to me, rather than what is said about my thoughts on it.

1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with all the computer generated floods and surreal effects looking as cheesy as can be, along with some really nice (presumably British Columbian) exterior shots. Starting about 35 minutes into the film, the disc has this habit of flashing back to an earlier chapter in the movie. I thought it may have been a layer change, but nope, happens multiple times over the last two thirds of the movie. My disc was unopened and I checked to make sure everything hardware wise was working fine also. If you really want to see the DVD, hopefully this wasn't a one-off from Anchor Bay.

Dolby Digital 5.1 surround for the disc, with everything sounding as clear as can be expected, and packing more low end on explosions and meteor crashes than I was expecting. Channel panning is present and effective, and there are hints of directional effects or two. Solid work on this side from Anchor Bay.

Nothing, though admittedly that was not much of a surprise.

If you are looking for innocuous fun, I suppose Zodiac: Signs of the Apocalypse fits that bill in some way. But I think it basically, and halfheartedly waves at you from afar, daring you to come to it because it's a shlock film. But if you don't acknowledge it, it does not put up that much of a fight to gain your attention. Technically, the disc sounds good but has room to be desired. Just wait until the next SyFy flick comes along, I guess.