Review of Echelon Conspiracy (2009) by Bill D — 04 Feb 2010

This had the earmarks of a "B" film from the beginning but the presence of some bigger names (Martin Sheen) made me check it out. And in spite of numerous "B" elements (oft-times bad dialogue/acting sequences and ho-hum screenplay) it actually captured my interest until about 2/3 of the way through where it totally fell apart in plot (a computer developing a consciousness and will of it's own is a plot that I can never buy into), as well as in every other way.

The 'climatic' shoot-out while protagonist convinces computer that it shouldn't upgrade itself and thereby take over the whole world bordered on laughable.

Of course the implied political statement is the bad-guy conservatives want to control and big-brother everyone (similar to enemy of the state, though that wasn't a B-grade film).. I always find that message annoying in view of the reality that it's the libs that want total state control/socialism... Couldn't wait for it to be over.