Visually impressive, narratively incomprehensible.

Rating: 3/10 (27 November 2001)

Disappointing sci-fi/horror tale that looks great but unfortunately promises more than it delivers.
The premise is fine: a revolutionary spaceship prototype that is designed to test a new faster-than-light drive. However, it vanishes from normal space and is gone for a number of years before inexplicably returning with no one left on board. What happened to its crew? Did it travel to another universe? Another dimension? Perhaps Hell itself?
The latter begins to seem the most likely answer, but if you think that it will be explained to your satisfaction you will be very wrong. Some excellent production design, an effective atmosphere of dread, and fine acting by Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne) are ultimately wasted.
This brought to mind the similarly good-looking, big-budget SUPERNOVA, also a big letdown. Cinematic science fiction deserves better!