Surpassed my expectations

Rating: 7/10 (15 March 2002)

I had to admit that I was a bit concerned about the whole super-computer element of the script, but I think that the movie came off rather nicely.
The movie does deviate a bit from the games. However, I don't think that fans of the game will be disappointed with what they see. Many of the major "dead" characters are in the movie. I generally like the set of (living) characters. However, Michelle Rodriquez is _very_ one-dimensional as the pouty I-got-beat-up-by-my-older-brothers-a-lot-and-if-you-mess-with-me-I'll-teach- you-the-meaning-of-the-word-pain soldier. I liked Milla's character a lot, and I think Milla does a great job.
The movie is usually very claustrophobic which I think is one reason I really liked it. Anderson makes great use of cluttered closed-in spaces. I don't think the movie is particularly scary, but with how tight the sets are, I think it adds to the anxiety of the situation. There's very few options when something comes down on your head.
The biggest flaw I have with the movie is the music. It sucks. I like loud music as much as the next person, but I think it is just too loud and takes away from the movie. It turns into a stupid MTV video. I think the music could have added a lot to the creepiness of the film... very minimalistic stuff... but as soon as any action happens, it turns into a stinking SlipKnot album. I don't know what the best option would have been, but I think the music could have been done better.
Anyway, on the whole, a very good effort.