Search - Absolon on DVD

CAN THE FUTURE BE SAVED?

Mark Turner | 03/13/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Christopher Lambert has found his niche and it is nowhere near the one that many of us expected to find him in after the double whammy of GREYSTOKE and HIGHLANDER. Lambert has found himself relegated to playing small time straight to video action star. He does a fine job in most, but the potential he showed at one time is a spark that has died and in its place is someone walking through far too many similar roles as if he were there for a paycheck and little more. Sure, he turns in a credible performance, but he could always seem to do better.

The movie starts after a virus has wiped out nearly all of humanity. The supplies left on Earth will keep those who have survived going for at least 100 years. There is still electricity and cars around, but the virus still affects people. Only a cure known as Absolon keeps people from falling victim to the disease.

As the movie opens, a scientist sitting behind his desk hides a disc when a masked intruder enters and kills him as he sits. This turns out to be a hologram that Detective Norman Scott (Lambert) is watching. The case is his and he has already begun looking for clues when a government agent (Lou Diamond Phillips) gives him an all access pass and the instructions to keep him informed.

Lambert finds the disc, passes it along to his team and then heads out to interview the scientist's assistant. Bits and pieces are garnered from this conversation but it isn't until the second time they speak that Lambert discovers that the pair were working on a cure for the disease that would not require people to take Absolon on a daily basis. And after revealing this information, the assistant's head is blown off and Lambert kills two agents dead.

The government organization behind the killings is now aware that Lambert has been made aware of the possible cure, something they do not want. If a cure is found then the money and control brought about by a dependency would collapse. Framed, Lambert is on the run with these agents in tow.

As he is about to be killed, a car pulls up driven by a scientists who worked at the same lab. They pair make their escape and she informs him that they found the cure but it works in two parts. And Lambert is carrying the first part in his own bloodstream, administered by a glass of tea he was offered.

The rest of the film has the pair avoiding the agents who keep popping up with the help of a satellite and a bugged chip. Along the way in search of the second part (without which Lambert will die) they encounter several people and have more than one near mishap with Phillips and crew.

Will Lambert find the cure? And who is the real killer? Not to mention who are the mysterious members of society that keep helping this duo?

The movie starts off slow but develops gradually until it makes a satisfying action thriller that holds your interest. Is it Oscar material? No way. But it does make for an interesting viewing. For Lambert fans and people who enjoy a little action with their sci fi, you should enjoy this one on a rainy night.

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