Let me be the first to admit that maybe even a 3 out of 10 rating is being a bit generous. Considering I was laughing for more of this movie than I was scared, and considering the fact that poor Kim Basinger thought that she could actually be considered for an Oscar for her performance. But that's not even the worst of it. Christina Ricci is getting main billing (above the main character, Holliston Coleman (Cody), yet she's only in the movie for about 7 or 8 minutes at most. Add to that the fact that Jimmy Smits left NYPD Blue for acting in movies and he comes out with this and the fact that Ian Holm got suckered into this movie and it's even more depressing that this movie was even made.

The first question we need to ask is why? Why was this movie made? Why did Kim Basinger take this project? And what the heck was the whole movie even about? Firstly, the movie was made to make money. Paramount found out, most likely through test screenings, that what they had was a certifiable piece of crap on their hands - so at the press screening, for the first time in 7 years (so I'm told), they presented the press with Kettle Popkorn and sodas. Presumably, they were trying to lull us into a false sense of security, but alas, it didn't work on any of the critics attending.

Secondly - Kim - what were you thinking? The script couldn't have looked good, but yet, you take the project and rather than concede defeat, you try and put forth the most un-convincing, over-dramatic performance I've seen for a while. With the camera going back and forth during a conversation, every single one of your lines seemed out of place and overdone. But hey, it's back to your pre-Oscar days of crap and if you like doing this kind of movie, more power to you.

Finally, what the heck was this movie about? Well, it seems that Cody was born on a special day where the supposed Star of David appeared some 2000 years after the birth of Christ, and on this day another savior of the world was born. Eric Stark (Rufus Sewell), a devil worshipper decides that it would be best if she were turned to the dark side rather than saving all of mankind from whatever was coming in the future. And of course, this has to happen before a certain date, and because Erik procrastinated, he's only got a couple of days for the transformation. Yes, the fate of the free world coincidentally comes down to a day in New York and New Jersey (a la Dogma). Right about this time, the police, led by special agent John Travis (Jimmy Smits) are getting close to finding the killer, so everything seems to come together at the right time. How perfect. Once things are set in motion, the movie goes in it's own direction with many things not making sense (of course we were told we would have to believe some far-out stuff by Agent Travis earlier in the flick). Ultimately, the ending makes absolutely no sense, with nothing being accomplished - I'd love to say more, but then the movie would be ruined - not like you should plan on seeing it anyways.

Like I said to start the review, 3 out of 10 is quite generous. I'm reluctant to give it one because it wasn't quite that bad, although it came close and a 2 would just be mean - because it did actually startle me a couple of times and some of the effects, although obviously CG, were semi-believable. With the myriad of films out in theaters right now as the summer movie season winds down, there are plenty of other choices - many of which, no matter how bad they are (Hollow Man) are worse than this.

In conclusion: Stay away - stay very far away.

Click here to see scans of the Press Booklet.

Genres: Thriller, Horror, Fantasy
Rated: R
Runtime: 110 minutes
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