December 18, 2006
DVD Review: Pulse (or Wi-Fi Of The Living Dead)
For some reason, it's taken me a long while to actually see this movie. When I saw the first trailer, I really thought I'd dig the premise. Basically, dead people on the internet coming back and attacking the living (very silly... true, but just about on point as most of the other hack and slash thrillers coming out.). TV's Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell), bubble gum pop hottie Christina Millian and friends are haunted by creepy internet ghosts that some (silly silly) scientists set free with one of their cheesy experiments. Yes, wacky evilness ensues and they're all killed off one by one as they try to find a way to put the inter-ghosts back on the web page.
Now... first off, let me get this out: the overall premise, as stupid as it sounds... I LOVE! Taking an integral part of our daily life and turning it against us is a very useful plotpoint when you want a story that will grab out. Unfortunately, for "Pulse" the execution if HORRIBLE. The fact is, the move doesn't get engrossing until the last 5 minutes of the film (which turns out to be the epilogue/aftermath). I was more interested in the story AFTER the story. The movie seems to be some type of set up for the even bigger story which happens later.
Another thing, is the protagonist/villain. We see him (or at least a character that's suppose to represent the main evil), but never find out who he is... or what he wants. We 'kinda' get the idea of what's going on, but it's never given to us entirely. I'm not saying the movie has to hold our hand and spoon feed us the entire plot. But at least give the viewer and solid foundation on what's going on. In any case, it's never revealed who the evil is, where they came from, or what's their ultimate goal. It's just there killing people. OK... whatever...
On the plus side, the foundation of the story is SOLID! Kinda like a zombie movie, only instead of rising from the dead, the zombies attack you through your cable modem and your cellphone (I KNOW it sounds stupid, but with the right people, this could'a worked!). Anyway, the only way to get away from the "Modem Monsters" is to get away from anyplace that has internet or wireless capabilities. Judging from the world we live in, i think you could say that would be pretty difficult. I almost wish this movie did more than $20M as the box office. I think a sequel would'a really been good. But a'las...
Todd gives this move 2 points out of 5. I've seen worse...
If it's free on TV, take a look at it.
Posted by toddkelley at December 18, 2006 09:59 AM
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