SUBTERANO

Australia, 2002, 95 minutes, Colour.
Alex Dimitriadis, Tasma Walton, Alyson White, Chris Haywood.
Directed by Mort S. Seben (Esben Storm)

Subterano is based on a computer game. Like all the computer game movies, it is highly contrived, gives us stock characters, puts them in situations of danger where some of them are killed progressively and others escape to the end. There are no surprises in this film.

The action takes place in an underground parking centre in the distant future. The world is a dictatorship. Armed troops hunt down revolutionaries. The myth about the benign aristocrat who founded the society is not true. Rather, he massacred 8000 people in an arena and the two central characters are the sole survivors, orphans of the revolution.

Alex Dimitriadis gives a strong presence to the central character hero. Chris Haywood does another character study. The film has some moments of gory action, but not nearly as strong as those in American films or Asian films based on these games. Direction is by Esben Storm (Deadly, In Search of Anna, and many children's films). Here he has used the anagram of Mort S. Seben.

1. The popularity of films based on computer games? The interest of the audience, the age range of the audience? The situation of the game the desperation of the character, chase and pursuit, deaths and survival? The ability to use one's wits and confront the enemy and win?

2. The future world, outside, the cars and limousines, the ferals? The fun fairs, the myth about the mountains where the orphans of the revolution lived - and the glimpses of the mountains? The underground car park - contemporary yet futuristic?

3. The special effects, especially for the controller of the game, the particular weapons and their destruction? Bloodthirsty attitudes? Gory sequences? The atmosphere, songs, musical score?

4. The opening situation, Conrad as an orphan of the revolution, escaping from prison, overpowering his guard? His trial on television, to be executed? His finding Grace, disillusioned with her, the guard telling him that she had informed on him? (And the later explanation of the blackmail for the destruction of their child?) Conrad using his wits, the confrontation with the sheriff, finding the feral kids? His assuming leadership of the group? Using strength of mind, reluctant to use the guns? His relationship with Grace, bonding with her, the revelation of the truth about their parents, their relationship, their son? His finally overcoming the weapons and winning the game? Finding his son, Grace and their son and Angie going to the mountains? Game over?

5. Cunningham in his limousine, the advertisements for Subterano? His angers, sacking Cleary? His son, the son wanting his father's approval, controlling the game? Wearing the virtual reality suit, executing his friends, confronting Conrad, writhing when Conrad attacked the virtual reality persona? The end and his finding new victims while his father was too busy to listen?

6. Grace, her background, helping Conrad, in the action, her son, the revelation of the truth?

7. The parking attendant, his being killed after making his date? The first victim of Cunningham's son? The arrival of the sheriff, her perfume, sternness, taking guard? Discovering the truth about Conrad, wanting to take charge, not able to use the gun? Her attitudes during the game, her final confrontation with the controller, with Conrad?

8. Mr Cleary, being sacked, losing his car, his being an alcoholic, going with the group, drinking, giving it up? The confrontation and his brutal death?

9. The feral kids, at the fairground, playing Subterano, their appearance, the punk style? Their responding to Cunningham's son? Their being victims? The girl in the toilet and her disappearance, the boy in the lift? The second boy putting his head in the globe and being killed? Angie and the torture, her being released? Going to rescue the child? Surviving for the mountains?

10. The popularity of this kind of film? The computer game mentality and its competitiveness, violence and brutality? Competitiveness and winning?