Review of Mutant Chronicles (2008) by Lisa R — 26 Oct 2009

At the end of the Ice Age, The Machine came from the outer space with the purpose to change men into mutants. However, a hero defeated the device and a great seal was laid over The Machine. In 2707, the world is ruled by four Corporations: Mishima, Bauhaus, Capitol and Imperial that are in constant war. During a battle between Capitol and Bauhaus, the great seal is broken and The Machine works again transforming soldiers and civilians into hordes of mutants. The man of faith and leader of an ancient brotherhood Brother Samuel (Ron Perlman) is a believer of God and the Chronicles, a bible about the mutants. With the city under siege of the mutants, he visits the Corporations' leader Constantine asking for an aircraft and twenty men for a suicide mission to destroy The Machine, planting a bomb and a detonator following the knowledge of the Chronicles. He recruits Major 'Mitch' Hunter (Thomas Jane); the Bauhaus Lieutenant Maximillian von Steiner; the keeper of the Chronicles Severian that is under a vow of silence; Corporal Valerie Duval; Corporal Juba Kim Wu; Captain Michaels; Captain John McGuire; and Corporal Jesus 'El Jesus' de Barrera. Together they become the last hope of Earth against the evil mutants.

"Mutant Chronicles" is based on an old boardgame and I did enjoy this sci fi futuristic drama/actioneer. There is a resemblance to "Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow" in terms of the visual approach and the use of blue screens. However, the budget for "Mutant Chronicles" was obviously a lot smaller... But, even if some scenes have a spot on b-movie touch and look, I did not feel it dragged down the story or outcome that much. I liked the plot/story and I liked the look of a cross between something futuristic a la Metropolis and WWI. So, this is not that shabby as a sunday evening movie.