When are people going to learn that derelict spaceships and the bending of space time are never a good mix.
Event Horizon, which gets a polished 4K Ultra HD update in this fancy re-release, is perhaps no more proof than anyone needs. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson of Resident Evil franchise fame, this science fiction horror fest is headlined by Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill. Two actors who have consistently walked the fine line between mainstream blockbuster and intimate indie fare for decades now.
In 1993 with the Tina Turner biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It, Fishburne established himself as an Oscar contender playing Ike Turner opposite Angela Bassett’s equally Oscar worthy Tina turn. Sam Neill pulled off the same trick that year, by featuring in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park before segueing into The Piano opposite Holly Hunter. Arthouse indie darling Jane Campion would reveal something different in Sam Neill, which broadened his appeal to audiences and made Event Horizon a viable option.
On paper Event Horizon promises the world, sitting on a cusp between practical effects and CGI, where those computer-generated images pale in comparison to some truly astounding practical elements. The gravity drive which sits in the centre of this ship is one such example, being both imposing and genuinely awe-inspiring.
Production designer Joseph Bennett, who would go on to work his magic with Deep Blue Sea, does some truly incredible things in Event Horizon. Crispian Sallis, set decorator on Aliens, also brings some exceptional elements into play, which hark back to Ridley Scott’s original rather than James Cameron’s guns and ammo follow-up.
After the initial crew introductions and inevitable effects shots of ships drifting through the inky black, writer Philip Eisner does a good job in sketching some broad archetypes on screen. Medical officer Peters (Kathleen Quinlan), first officer Starck (Joely Richardson) and pilot Smith (Sean Pertwee) work hard alongside tech expert DJ (Jason Isaacs) to ground this sci-fi before things get hellish later on.
Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) and blackhole expert Weir (Sam Neill) round out this eclectic cast, as they head off into the ether. However, once they dock with the Event Horizon cliches come thick and fast, as strange visions start to haunt crew members, terrifying audio recordings spout cryptic Latin and things turn abstract.
Aside from the gateway to Hell side line, Event Horizon gets by on creepy visuals, bleak atmospherics and a cast who sell it with real conviction. Practical make-up effects also go some way to making this film a truly unsettling experience in the latter stages. With oversaturated reds and buckets of gore shown in subliminal flashbacks, director Paul W.S. Anderson really goes for the throat as things ramp up.
If the film falls into any traps, they are ones created through predictable narrative choices. As experts go insane, supporting players get sucked out of airlocks and chaos reigns supreme. Not something which should put off anyone looking to buy this in its spanking 4k Ultra HD format, since Event Horizon is still an entertaining, if not entirely original sci-fi shocker.
3.5 Stars
Event Horizon is out on August 8th in 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Limited Edition Steelbook
