------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall Rating : 5.5/10
Directed By : Leigh Scott
Rhett Giles (H.G. Wells' War Of The Worlds)
Jeff Denton (Pirates of Treasure Island)
Sarah Lieving (The Beast Of Bray Road)
Chriss Anglin (Dracula's Curse)
Supplied By : The Asylum
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : Sept. 10, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| PLOT Based on the best selling report by the 9/11 Commission. A thriller in the tradition of TRAFFIC, SYRIANA, and UNITED 93. |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| THE REVIEW Well, while watching this film, someone whom is familiar with The Asylum's usual brand of film, will be quick to point out that THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT strays from the norm as for as they go. The Asylum, usually known for their Horror films, and more recent Horror "knock-off" take a political stand here with a film written directed by their very own Leigh Scott. With many films coming out as of late, depicting the actual occurrences of the Terrorist attacks....The Asylum here have chosen to take a different route and chronicle the events that lead up to the attacks. Investigations by both US and a foreign forces are examined, we learn that both parties had actually previously been warned of similar attacks and Bin Laden's desire to want to fly planes into buildings as part of voluntary suicide missions,. All parties want to put an end to potential treats but seemingly can't get along... in my opinion I since a little fear in the mind of the US Government, the film teaches us that Bin Laden and his cronies where often so close to being captured, yet we never made good on it. Although this film is filled with investigation insight, the films main point is the search for Bin Laden conducted by the character of Mike, played by Rhett Giles. We follow Mike throughout the film as he talks to people whom may be connected to Bin Laden, all of the conversations, mostly ending in Mike's frustration, not only on this case, but frustration with the leadership in the US and his job in general - and by his side is is partner Valerie played by Sarah Lieving. First of all next to it's productions of DRACULA'S CURSE and WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT, is one of The Asylum's most visually appealing films to date. I loved the approach that scott takes here, all of the hues in the picture are flat and "washed out", which tends to give it a progressive documentary feel, and in my opinion it is actually how a film of this subject matter should be shot. The look of the film is accompanied by many locations through out including the US Afghanistan, Israel, and England, all of which were actually shot in both Morocco and Washington D.C. - I have to really hand it to the filmmakers here as they have made all of the locations authentic looking in both appearance and feel. THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT, does have it's good moments, and great performances by it's ensemble cast(most importantly here by The Asylum veteran Rhett Giles), I too like others find the film at times to hard to follow. The film presents a slew of characters, most with names hard to remember or keep up with and quite a few theory angles and it isn't too hard to get lost. Luckily the film ends with sort of a flash back, to help some of who get lost out a little, by piecing together some of the film's key elements. Honestly, a film like THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT normally would not belong on this site as it is more of a dramatization and not at all, Horror, but since it is a film by The Asylum and I have a ton of respect for Writer/Director Leigh Scott, I have made a kind exception. With that being said, I know for a fact that not all of our visitors here will enjoy this, but for some it should bring out a little curiosity, I enjoyed this film, mostly because it does not chose to focus on the actual attacks. I feel that, that issues is a horse that has been beaten to a bloody pulp already, and to be honest I believe that any movie depicting these heinous attacks should never be made unless the families of the one's lost would benefit. Here, Leigh Scott and crew do a fine job of examining the happenings that lead to an event that changed our nation forever, in a way that, up until now, was yet to be shown. |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| GORE
METER N/A But there is a scene in which a foreign agent, played by Jennifer Lee Wiggins, tortures a man in means to get answers with pliers....anyone see "THE NUTCRACKER"? |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| MUSICAL
SCORE 6/10 The film boasts a finely crafted score by cast member Eliza Swenson, who uses a perfect blend of harmonies and rich dark tones to set the film's dramatic nature from both start to finish. |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM Overall, yes I did enjoy this film, I have not read the actual report for myself but from what I have heard, the film follows it very closely. Great performances by virtually the entire cast, most of whom are Scott's regulars, the film also introduces a few new faces as well. This film like I have mentioned earlier is probably one of The Asylum's most straight-forward presentations to date and may catch some fans of The Asylum's usual stuff off guard - but this does in fact prove that The Asylum Home Entertainment, can be more than just a "genre company". |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| STILLS | ||||
|
