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Overall Rating : 7/10
Directed By : Hal Barwood
Sam Waterston (Law & Order (TV) )
Kathleen Quinlan (The Hills Have Eyes (2006) )
Yaphet Kotto (Alien)
Jeffrey DeMunn (The Shawshank Redemption)
Supplied By : Anchor Bay Entertainment
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : May. 22, 2006
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| PLOT In an ultra secret laboratory for the developing of biological weapons, covered as "Biotek", a research center for agriculture, a serious accident occurs, spreading a sinister bacteria in the laboratory. The security guard of the complex, closes and seals the building, with all the personnel inside, making very difficult the struggle for survival, not to mention the actions that the relatives of the enclosed people are thinking to do. |
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| THE REVIEW In WARNING SIGN, it is a normal day of testing at Bio-Tek Agronomics, or so it seems, That is until a secret chemical is spilled on to the premises, spreading some sort of virus through out the building. It turns out that this chemical is one that has been secretly held by the head scientists - it is an experimental drug in which a human will become extremely violent and feel the urge to attack if exposed. At the height of the bio-hazard scare, the security guard for the facility, Joanie Morse, wife of Sheriff Cal Morse, has sealed off the whole building, but this only proves to both spread the toxin and infuriate the friends and family of those inside, The Sheriff is puzzle along with the rest of the crowd and when Major Connolly, a leader of an accident security squad shows up the two are at odds. Major Connolly's investigation is going nowhere by the looks of it and Cal only see's one solution, and that is to go it alone and save his wife, who seems to be immune to the deadly infection. The Sheriff then tracks down a former employee, Dan Fairchild who was once developing a cure for this plague. In the end Cal Morse, and the once reluctant Fairchild breach their way inside and fight off the infected in order to try to perfect a new antidote. WARNING SIGN, is what i'd call an 80's "gem", and it is probably one of the first of it's kind. Made in 1985, this was before films like RESIDENT EVIL, about the only film I can think of right now that closely resembles it. It first I thought how the outbreak started in WARNING SIGN was cheesy and far fetched, it begins when a worker gets a sticker label caught on his suit therefore a test tube becomes attached to that label - it then later falls to the floor and then stepped on moments later. Once you get past this however, the film becomes something that is enjoyable and fun. I wouldn't call this film a zombie film, although the infected become enraged abd their skin begins to break down...they become more maniacal as they still have their intelligence and can also communicate well. I also loved the fact that it keeps you wondering as to why Joanie is immune, and she is able to be in contact with the infected, it's later reveled that her estrogen is high and that she is pregnant, this really elevates the climax of the film as it becomes far more emotional and meaningful for the main character's survival - truly well delivered! This film may be of disappointment to gore fans, as their is gore present, just not a whole lot. The level of suspense is high however and that is what kept me intrigued and interested. What it all boils down to is that the acting is what made this a great film, it is fantastic! Sam Waterston from TV's LAW & ORDER, is here as Cal Morse -(minus the gray hair) and he is absolutely outstanding, during the course of the film you really like Cal and care for he and his safety. I rarely see LAW & ORDER, but I have seen him on the show and have always been impressed - truly a great actor! Delivering an emotional performance is Kathleen Quinlan, who is great, she brought here a performance of emotion and believability and made the film that much more suspenseful. Rounding out the main roles is veteran Yaphet Kotto from film such as, ALIEN and FREDDY'S DEAD : THE FINAL NIGHTMARE, I absolutely love this guy, as he always shows poise and determination in every single role he portrays. To be honest, when I saw the trailer for this on another Anchor Bay disc, I knew i'd like it and new it would be a great nostalgic film. But what I did't know is just how good, and I must say I really liked it! |
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| GORE
METER 4/10 As mentioned, the gore is kept to a relative minimum, but, with the strong acting, I feel it wasn't really needed. |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 3.5/10 Well, this is an 8-'s film and the score is just that, an 80's sounding synthesizer score. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM I highly recommend this film, I really enjoyed the story, I think some mature fans of RESIDENT EVIL (not the teenie boppers) will like this, as I see it as "RESIDENT EVIL with brains". |
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