When bad dialogue happens to good actors
Pamela R. Heath | Bay Area, CA | 03/15/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I really felt sorry for Michael Shanks as Dr. Thane in this movie. Not because of what he goes through, but because his dialogue is about as stiff and unoriginal as I've heard in a very long time. I rather liked the monster, but the script, directing, editing, and bulk of the acting were terrible. Most of the Aztec warriors looked like pale Canadian extras with bad fake tans. Except for Shanks, all of the actors regularly seemed to miss their beats. There would be just a pause too long or a pedestrian delivery. Even Michael Shanks seemed to struggle at times with his delivery. However, to give him credit, Shanks was able to pull it off better than the others. Any fans who force themselves to sit through this film will be rewarded by a number of small moments in the movie, when Shanks somehow manages to rise above the terrible writing and draw us in with a look or a smile. However, for the most part, I was cheering when every character died because it meant one less actor trashing his or her lines.
That said, there are a couple scenes that I enjoyed. One is watching Michael Shank's archeologist character ride up to the rescue on a mule carrying an umbrella like a parasol. I couldn't help wondering if it was a nod to Elizabeth Peter's intrepid character of Amelia Peabody, Egyptian archeologist. I also give the writers credit for surprising me at the end with a moment I didn't see coming, which made me laugh in delight.
It's a shame the dialogue was so bad. This really could have been an interesting story if handled better. Dr. Thane (played by Shanks) is not your usual hero and has the makings of a really fun and intriguing character. Unfortunately, one actor, no matter how good, cannot rescue a truly bad movie.
In some ways, the movie could have been summed up in one line of the dialogue, where Shank's character is asked, "What are you doing?" and he simply says "I don't know." Poor guy. I hope he was well paid.
I debated giving the movie one star, but because of Michael Shank's character, and a few choice moments, am giving it two stars."
Mildly entertaining
cyclista | the Midwest | 01/03/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Researchers for the Smithsonian working in the Grand Canyon discover an Aztec city. Susan Jordan (Shannen Doherty) leads a team to find her father and his colleagues, who are trapped in the city by Aztec warriors and their serpent god. Michael Shanks from Stargate SG-1 is a member of the search team. Co-starring in the movie are J R Bourne, Toby Berner, Heather Doerksen, Duncan Fraser and Peter New. The movie was filmed in Kamloops, British Columbia. (I wonder why they didn't film it in the Grand Canyon?) The scenery is beautiful. Oddly enough, Kamloops is the town where Michael Shanks grew up! "The Lost Treasure of the Grand Canyon" is a made-for-TV period movie that has aired on the SCIFI channel.
I like this type of movie and had high hopes for a couple hours of entertainment. I thought Shannen and Michael deserved a better dialogue and special effects. I don't expect a lot from movies, only to be entertained. The acting was decent, given the movie's other limitations. I thought that Michael and Shannen had some chemistry on-screen. That said, the movie was mildly entertaining. I do recommend it for fans of the genre like myself, but only if you have nothing better to watch."
DEAR GOD NO!!!!
B. S. Guevara | Boston, Ma USA | 04/17/2010
(1 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is Horrible!!!!!! it is way awful to be this long. The effects suck. The Kills suck. I mean come on the name says it all.
The ONLY way this is a "good" movie is if you're into really bad movies that are so bad they're comedies--the reason I Picked it up. Even going in with that attitude it is a bad movie. save your money.
The monster looks like a lame invisible(predator style) power ranger"