Android Apocalypse – Extended Version

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: C-     Telefilm: C-

 

 

As if a bunch of sequels to Universal Solider and the interesting Soldier were not enough, here comes the Sci-Fi Channel’s version, Paul Ziller’s Android Apocalypse.  This time, it is Joseph Lawrence (yes, Joey from Gimme A Break, which you will be saying after the first five minutes of watching this mess) as the title character, DEECEE, though you’ll find more intensity from The Bee Gees.  He is a defective machine (we’ll skip the plethora of obvious jokes, including about Lawrence’s attempt at a music career) handcuffed to a criminal (Scott Bairstow as) JUTE, getting the punishment he deserves.

 

Made in Canada, it looks so generic and has no character whatsoever, but the only thing keeping it from being a total bomb are a few unintended howls.  Otherwise, Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme have nothing to worry about.  If you need to see a good Sci-Fi B-movie, try MST3K or some double feature from the 1960s.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is soft and color challenged between its digital effects, stylizing and being shot in digital HD in the first place.  The visual effects are dated upon arrival and lame.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has some healthy Pro Logic surrounds, but they only tend to drown out the bad dialogue and script anyhow.  The only extra is a very short making of piece (five minutes) than is more of a montage.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo