The Awakened and Stirring Sci-Fi: A Movie Review

Writers: Adrian DeLude and James Marlow.

The Awakened is a High Voltage Production, a sci-fi thriller and worthy of mention, for its quick pacing, early exciting double-hook and an open ending, which has already set the foundation for a sequel. This film will have a World Premiere at the 2010 Shriekfest Film Fesival and this first review for the picture is provided by executive producer Mike Stasse. Slightly comedic, intriguing and full of interesting stunts, The Awakened needs to be on every sci-fi fans top five list for 2010!

The film begins with a bang, as a alien spacecraft spirals out of control and into the Earth's atmosphere. 200 years later an isolated farmer digs up this alien spaceship after excavating his large property. Here things get a little intense, as four alien, angry explorers resent their awakening and focus their energies on disabling everyone in the local vicinity. A local town is put into danger and a cover government ops team, known as the Dreamland Project, do their best to antagonize an already hostile situation. Where is a hero when you need one?

Most notable of actors is the reknowned Robert Picardo, who plays an unusual role as the villain in the picture. He seems under utilized in the picture and many others including Peter Quartaroli, Richard Gross, and Kara Hamilton must create the foundation on which The Awakened's story is built. These actors and others are up to the challenge. As well, James Marlowe's screenplay adds a lightness to the characterizations, with many characters adding comedic lines about broken down generators and being taken advantage of by the local Sherrif, who has one too many errands for his Deputy to perform.

Also important to the enjoyment of the film is the early double-hook, which is enhanced by computer generated imagery. A spaceship crashes into a local wilderness and right into the title credits and a moment later a Deputy is doing his best to stay alive during an alien attack. The initial two scenes jump back and forth along a timeline, which helps to create excitement and curiousity early. The film takes a brief pause after these two incidents to develop characters, but always directors Adrien DeLude and Eric Nichols are emphasizing the more adventuristic aspects of the film.

There are only some minor frustrating scenes that are not fully developed, as musical compositions seem unusually absent in the first third. This challenge for viewer's is only temporary and quickly forgiven once the tense action of the film resumes. The battles between townsfolk and an invading species are given a more rousing score. Also, the mysterious outcome of a drowning greyish monster is given some interpretation by the film's dramatic musical composition, which lets viewers know that this is not the final scene in The Awakened series.

Often causing laughter from sharp, snarky pieces of dialogue, The Awakened will not be forgotten once the title credits roll. The film is never boring, nor mundane and the inclusion of a government conspiracy theory is only one of many stirring elements, which will make viewers desire more. And more they shall have at this year's Shriekfest. Also, more details on The Awakened 2 are sure to develop once fans see many of the horrifying scenes within this first film from High Voltage Productions.

The film's website and an example of the film's dramatic and energizing score can be found here:

http://www.theawakenedmovie.com/

The film's premiere and launch date are here at Shriekfest 2010:

http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/39772/la-shriekfest-2010-announces-line