Event Horizon (1997)

To say that Event Horizon is the best Paul W.S. Anderson is the textbook definition of damning with faint praise. The film sees a bunch of astronauts investigate the titular Event Horizon spaceship which disappeared several years before. The film stars Alan Grant and Morpheus with the former turning out to be the creator of the machine that will help people go from a to z in no time at all.

The film has a great sense of atmosphere. Yes the science part doesn't make much sense in the second half of the film but for the most part the film manages to make science at least seem credible. There are clearly moments which seem to have been inspired by The Shining which isn't a smart thing to do but at least these are relatively subtle for Anderson.

Sam Neill is very good as Weir. He is the ‘expert’ and if he had just been that then I would have still liked his performance but the moment he starts to change takes the performance up a notch and becomes the physical antagonist of the film and seems to enjoying himself. Laurence Fishburne gives a typical Fishburne performance. He plays the leader type role rather well and gives what I think is an unintentionally hilarious delivery of ‘we’re leaving’ after seeing the horrific video diary. The film has other supporting actors with Joely Richardson ok as Starck, Jack Nosewrothy ok as Justin, Sean Pertwee delivering a great performance as Smith and Jason Isaacs being the best of the rest as D.J.

This film has a good two thirds but falls apart in the final third. A lot of it hasn’t dated very well but it is one of the few schlock movies that is actually quite fun to watch. It helps having the late Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne giving it their all and I think that the directing is somewhat standard which for a Paul W.S. Anderson film is still pretty good. He shows in this film that he is interested in how things come together and creating atmosphere and some impressive horrific moments unlike the latter Resident Evil movies. 

Event Horizon is the sort of film to watch and enjoy with your mates. At 96 minutes the film manages to pace things rather well and i dont think that it outstayed its welcome and the special effects have generally aged well although some have not so for a late 90’s film this should definitely be watched which shows that Anderson could actually direct.