Film Review: DEAD SPACE: DOWNFALL (2008)

Director: Chuck Patton
Writers (Screenplay): Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Running time: 71 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

Genre: Animation/Horror/Sci-Fi
USA Release date: 28^th October 2008

Watched on DVD Sunday 8^th April 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is an animated film that was made to fill in the back-story of a video game and as such it does a pretty good job of setting up the scenario that’s played out in the game. For the record, I’ve never played it. Although not very original, the plot did move along at a decent pace with plenty of gore to keep the splatter fans happy. Here’s a brief summary, after which I will give you my thoughts.

In the far-distant future, a mining colony on the planet Aegis VII has unearthed an alien artefact. Before a ship can arrive, most of the inhabitants are dead; infected by a deadly virus that changes them at the genetic level. The ship, the USG Ishimura, has been tasked with returning the artefact to Earth at all costs. It has some significance to a religious organisation, although it’s all a little vague in the film. Unfortunately for the crew, one of the miners manages to crash-land a shuttle on board. This can only mean one thing, and up steps security Chief Alissa Vincent and her team to try and save the day. I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police (sci-fi division) will be throwing me out of an airlock (again).

The animation has a very retro feel to it and I found that quite disappointing, knowing the quality of in-game animation today, I expected something better. The performances were all ok (I guess), but then the dialogue wasn’t exactly groundbreaking. So honourable mentions go to the voice talents of; Nika Futterman as Alissa Vincent, Keith Szarabajka as Dr. Kyne, Jim Cummings as Captain Mathius/Farum, Kevin Michael Richardson as Samuel Irons/Pendleton/Miner, Kelly Hu as Shen and Bruce Boxleitner as Colin Barrow.

On the minus side; the story was far from original (see Alien and you’ve virtually seen this) and the plot did get a tad confusing in several places. Add to that the way the story was structured made it look like you were playing a game version of the film. What I mean is that a problem area was identified and Vincent and her team were dispatched to sort it out; this happens at least three times. On the plus side, there is plenty of gore splattered about the place and that’s what people want to see… right? Not one I can recommend I’m afraid… Unless you like plenty of gore, that is.

My score: 5.3/10.

IMDb Score: 6.2/10 (based on 5,121 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1267379/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: NO SCORE YET (based on 2 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 52/100 (based on 2,451 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dead-space-downfall/

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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Dobbs: There's a lot of blood in this room, but no bodies.
Shen: Sounds like one of your parties.
Dobbs: Or your sex life!

Hansen: This shit's getting weirder by the second!
Dobbs: Sounds like a date with Shen.
Shen: Fuck you, rookie!

Alissa Vincent: This is no time to be a hero, Irons!
Samuel Irons: I'm not a hero, just a man.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://deadspace.ea.com/
Trailer: