Dante 01

Dante 01 for those who don't know is a French science-fiction film set in a psychiatric space facility orbiting the firey planet Dante 01 (see what they did there?). I very rarely talk about plot and character specifics when I review things and I won't be changing that trend here! All you need to know is that Dante 01 is a half-decent science-fiction film.

If you happen to like the likes of 'Alien 3', 'Event Horizon', 'Sunshine' and to a lesser extent '2001: A Space Odyssey' and 'Cube' then this film will probably entertain you to some degree, Though I don't rate it as highly as any of the aforementioned (apart from 'Cube' perhaps) it still isn't a half-bad film. It has some nice special effects and set designs and some interesting concepts (though they can't be classed as original). The acting does the job to.

The product contains the original French language with English subtitles in Dolby Digital 5.1 and good picture quality. The two extras on the disc include a trailer and a substantial 'Making-of documentary'.

My final verdict on Dante 01 is its a solid, diverting film but probably won't be remembered or talked about in the medium-to-long-term future. Three out of five (though it would be two and a half out of five given the option).

NOTE: I've noticed on the web when I've been investigating this film that a lot of negativity it get appears to be down to it's Christian undertones. Personally, just because a film (or video game or book for that matter) might favour a certain "view" that a certain audience member may not agree with that shouldn't deter one's enjoyment from the experience. I mean, when I read Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy I highly enjoyed the read, and that's taking into account that I don't agree with a lot of the opinions and themes that run through it. Think about it...

On first impressions this movie seems like just another sci-fi horror along the lines of "Event Horizon" but within a few minutes into "Dante 01" you have a very different proposition...

Set aboard a prison facility space station which is been used to experiment on "insane" criminals, a new arrival appears named "Saint-George" and begins to show strange (very strange!) powers and slowly causes disruptions with the other prisoners...

Directed by Marc Caro (this been his 1st solo directing venture) "Dante 01" is a definate mind mess as it heads into religious metaphor and acid trip visuals BUT it definatly falls into the category of fasinating with some superb visuals and good acting too :-)

Dvd wise; an excellent widescreen transfer plus a decent if short making of featurette and trailer...