Cast: Kevin Zegers, Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton
Director: Jeff Renfroe
Country: Canada
Genre: Action | Sci-fi | Thriller
Official Trailer: Here
Editor’s Note: The Colony is out on Blu-ray/DVD today, October 15th. Special Features include: Behind the Scenes Interviews with Cast and Crew. For an additional perspective, read Ronan’s review (46/100).
The Colony is a surprising film. Initially you think you’ve seen it all before; we have a ragged group of humans struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world against mounting odds, there will be a brave and inspirational leader and you just know that something really bad is coming. The thing with The Colony is that it’s all these things, it’s just really good fun too.
This idea of a dystopian future isn’t entirely original but here it is handled extremely well and you are left in no doubt as to the plight of the survivor’s situation.
At some non-specific date in the future disaster has befallen the Earth. In an attempt to combat rising temperatures, scientists had invented enormous cooling towers that inevitably went wrong. Instead of restoring a manageable, controllable environment the Earth has been plunged into another Ice Age and what remains of mankind has been forced to shelter in huge bunkers. Tensions in these bunkers run high as the outbreak of a common cold could be fatal and Briggs (Lawrence Fishburne) struggles to control his paranoid charges, as the fate for developing symptoms can be expulsion or even death. This idea of a dystopian future isn’t entirely original but here it is handled extremely well and you are left in no doubt as to the plight of the survivor’s situation.
When contact is lost with a neighbouring bunker Briggs and young protégé Sam (Kevin Segers) set out to investigate leaving the potentially psychotic Mason (Bill Paxton) in charge, something which is bound to have troubling consequences. When they reach the silent bunker there is a real shift in the tone and style of the film. Up until this point The Colony has been tense and uncomfortable but now it launches into its second act as a survival horror, complete with feral humans adapting to life in this newly desolate world by feeding on their fellow man.
Up until this point The Colony has been tense and uncomfortable but now it launches into its second act as a survival horror, complete with feral humans adapting to life in this newly desolate world by feeding on their fellow man.
Jeff Renfroe has taken familiar horror and action film tropes and themes and blended them into what is an enjoyable and interesting addition to the genre. Once the story changes tack from dystopian drama into survival horror it becomes relentless in its visceral brutality and unflinching gore filled set pieces as the remaining survivors battle against the feral humans bent on their extinction. The film raises questions about how anyone would react when pushed to the limits of nature and extreme pressures but doesn’t linger too long, never allowing sentiment to intrude too far into the dramatic reaction.
The performances are strong across the board with Fishburne brooding and serious in his role as leader and Segers earnestly wholesome and idealistic until circumstances demand otherwise. Paxton appears to be have a great time as the unhinged Mason but is perhaps a little underused in what is very much a supporting role. The strongest performance however comes from the location. Renfroe has been able to film in a former NORAD bunker and the bleakness and desolation of this setting perfectly enhances the futility of the character’s struggles.
The Colony is a film that will no doubt attract a strong following on DVD and On Demand. It is a perfect film for Friday or Saturday night in with a few beers and a takeaway. Little thought is required to enjoy, although it does raise some interesting questions, but it is a rollercoaster ride of bloody horror that everyone will enjoy, but may not live long in the memory.
[notification type=”star”]75/100 ~ GOOD. Jeff Renfroe has taken familiar horror and action film tropes and themes and blended them into what is an enjoyable and interesting addition to the genre. Once the story changes tack from dystopian drama into survival horror it becomes relentless in its visceral brutality and unflinching gore filled set pieces as the remaining survivors battle against the feral humans bent on their extinction. [/notification]
