MUTANT CHRONICLES

US, 2008, 111 minutes, Colour.
Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, Devon Aoki, Sean Pertwee, Benno Furmann, John Malkovich, Anna Walton.
Directed by Simon Hunter.

Something of a glum experience. We are back in the future and a grim future it is. The map of the world shows, not countries, but divisions based on corporate organisations. They are at war with each other – and the film uses the model of trench warfare in World War I for fifteen minutes to show the horrors and the bloodshed. But, an explosion opens up a hole in the earth's crust letting out a race of mutants whose be-all and end-all seems to be to capture as many humans as possible and take them down into the interior of the earth to a machine that will transform them all into mutants. A dismal prospect for the human race so many are escaping to Mars.

A monastic order (with plenty of vocations it seems) holds the secret book and stone which can lead to the destruction of the mutant-making machine, so Brother Samuel (Ron Perlman) sees himself as the leader of the mission to fulfil the prophecy of a coming saviour. He enlists the help of several soldiers led by Hunter (a less than charismatic Thomas Jane). Down they go into the earth just like the board game that the film is based on, down and down with many levels at each of which as many mutants must be graphically disposed of as possible. The team must use all kinds of ingenuity and force of arms to proceed to the next level.

So far, what you might expect and a story not all that interestingly told.

The set design for the caverns and tunnels is impressive it its way. However, the film-makers have opted for a colour design that is basically grey-green which means that the proceedings look particularly drab. There are splashes of bright red for blood which do punctuate the monotony.

Not a futuristic adventure with great appeal.

1.The appeal of this kind of futuristic film? Science fiction? Retro presentation of World War One-style battles? Future technology? Religious dimension?

2.The origins of the story in a board game? The goal of the game, the fights, the different levels? Reproduced in the film?

3.The colour design, the grey-green, the splashes of red and scarlet for blood? The grim dark look of the film? The heavy score?

4.The title, information about the future, the humans and the world collapsing, the migrations to Mars, the battles between the four corporations, seeing the corporations covering the map of the world?

5.The war sequences, the trenches, the images of World War One? Nathan Rooker, his command, Mitch Hunter and their friendship? The war and its imagery? The shell opening the hole? The mutants arising? Dragging the humans to transform them in the machine?

6.The monastery, the large community, the silent woman, Samuel, his role as leader, the rituals, the talk of faith and prayer, prophecy and Samuel seeing himself as the fulfilment as the saviour? The book, the machine, destroying the machine and (**? in?) the mission?

7.Assembling the group, Hunter and his type, his collecting the tags of the dead? His past friendship with Rooker? Encountering him in the depths, trying to save him, discussions about saving his children, his merciful shooting him? Hunter as tough, not having any faith, capacities for leadership? His achievement, almost becoming a mutant? Fulfilling the prophecy? The final battle with Samuel?

8.The group, Steiner and his Germanic stances? The black Englishman? The Asian? The white members of the group? Valerie Duval and her agility? Severian and her silence? Her finally speaking? The bonds with the group, their working together?

9.The journey, going through the Earth, the different levels, the shafts, ledges, falling, the ropes, bridges, fire?

10.The visualising of the mutants, their attacks, dragging Rooker away, the attack on Mitchell? The shooting of the mutants? The fights, Samuel transformed?

11.The remnant, getting to the machine, Hunter and his escape, going across the bridge?

12.The women, their heroics, participating in the rescue? Steiner and his giving himself for the others in death?

13.Samuel, his return as a mutant, the fight, Hunter destroying the machine, issues of faith or not? Hunter’s final attitude? Samuel and his final words – achievement?

14.The picture of the humans, the leader, Constantine, his decisions, the plans to take people to Mars? The humans being saved?

15.The usual themes of this kind of futuristic film – how well and interestingly presented?