Event Horizon *** ½ (out of four)

Rating: 8/10 (4 November 2002)

Event Horizon *** ½ 1997, 97 min., R (for strong violence and gore, language and some nudity)
By Andrew Kramer
Paul Anderson's Event Horizon is one of the best-made horror films I have seen in a long time. It ranks up there with films such as The Shining, Aliens and Halloween, and yet it feels somewhat lacking. That one aspect prevents it from becoming a true horror classic, but fortunately the mildly mediocre sections of the film are made up for by the film's rollercoaster ride of terror. Event Horizon is probably the most unpleasant, violent and depraved film I have ever viewed, only because it is unflinchingly truthful to the genre. Unlike many other horror films, which lower the fear factor by placing moral characters and happy endings within their screenplays, Event Horizon knows how to terrify an audience. It knows what will scare us and constantly place the characters within situations that will make the heart palpitate with dread. And the characters are not scoring below 75 on the I.Q. test, unlike other characters in recent horror films. They approach each situation like a normal person would approach it.
The story: In the year 2047, a massive space ship, known as the `Event Horizon', has just reappeared in the vicinity of Neptune after being lost for seven years. A salvage team is quickly sent out to investigate the return of the lost vessel on a research craft known as the Lewis and Clark. The team is constructed of (for the most part) engaging, but not widely known actors. They include the captain of the research team, Miller (Laurence Fishburne), Dr. Weir (Sam Neill), who built the Event Horizon, and many others including Joely Richardson, Kathleen Quinlan and Jason Isaacs. One of my favorites out of all the characters was Richard T. Jones, who played the smartass Cooper and did a fine job as a comic-relief (`So, would like something hot and black inside you?' which is only one of his best lines.) Most of the other characters all seem as if they have something to share, whether it is from their past or their way of thinking, but nothing than is truly incredible. Hands down, the best performance in the film is by Sam Neill, who goes effectively fanatical after the thrills start to increase in numbers. What they find on the ship, I will leave to you to discover, but let me tell you that you will be proved wrong at many points, and then chuckle at how efficiently a scene was composed.

Consider, for example, (and I won't reveal anything to spoiling), the tunnel scene, where you are just about positive that there will be a sudden shock, but your not quite aware when it will pop up, then. BOOM! Almost ever other scary sequence in the film literally leaps off the screen at you, and you never expected it because you were too preoccupied with figuring out when and how the scare was going to manifest. The way terror is conveyed is absolutely riveting, but there is one characteristic in this film that stands alone, in sheer brilliance. And that is the Event Horizon. The actual ship design is incredible: it looks as if it's been constructed entirely out of pieces of monasteries and cathedrals. Not only are the models dazzling, but the structure of the Event Horizon itself actually depicts a true sense of foreboding and evil (If you don't believe me, take notice to the number inscribed on the airlock door where the Lewis and Clark docks with the Event Horizon).
There are, however, some gripes that I had with the film and the first and foremost was that I didn't feel I enjoyed it as much as I could have, due to the overall graphicness and somewhat loose plot. Now I have no real trouble with gore and splatter at all (however, if you do then this film is definitely not for you), but I admit that even though I enjoy horror, I am not a true diehard like others. This film is extremely disturbing: it is the kind of film that stays with one for a very long time, regardless of who you are. The insights that it has make it incredibly (and sometimes uncomfortably) aghast, such as themes dealing with hell and death. The violence is very bloody, but usually if you are not squeamish, than you should be able to handle it. The other major gripe is the plot, which seems not meandering, but a bit unoriginal at times. It occasionally feels like the director ran out of ideas of his own, and therefore had to steal some from other movies. But remember that these are only minor complaints.

Event Horizon is an odd, shocking, thought-provoking film that ponders the deepest and darkest realms of the human soul, and proves that the world is not made up of heroes and villains. It is mostly a film to be celebrated for its intense terror, powerful direction and high production values. See it and enjoy it: you will not be let down.