Bai Ling is one of the
most beautiful Asian actresses I have seen in movies. Now she kicks butt too
in THE GENE GENERATION, a film with great action and excellent visual effects. THE
GENE GENERATION follows Michelle (the ever beautiful Bai Ling), a deadly assassin who kills DNA Hackers in the futuristic
city of Olympia. She keeps an eye on her brother Jimmy who is always in trouble with the city’s seedy underworld. Also she becomes involved with Christian (Alec Newman)- a DNA scientist (wanted by
his former employers- Hayden Industries) who lives in the apartment across the hall.
THE GENE GERATION is
carried by the atmospheric mood that is created by the excellent music score, the actors (except Faye Dunaway who is just
plain weird in this one), and the special effects that were created on a small budget compared to movies with much bigger
budgets. The action scenes are brief
(I hope the sequel has more complex and longer action scenes). The bond
between Michelle and Jimmy is there (and yet I have seen the loser brother who messes his life up in too many other films). The script isn’t going to win awards and yet THE GENE GENERATION is waiting
for it’s day as a cult film waiting to be discovered by many.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
two audio commentaries-
the first is with Director Pearry Teo and Actors Bai Ling and Parry Shen while the second is with Teo and Producer Keith Collea. The first track is the best of the two as you hear stories about the making of the
film from the director and two of the actors. I really want to see the director’s
cut which is 45 minutes longer.
Eight deleted scenes
include an alternate opening, an alternate end shot, and scenes that take the story in a different direction (some of the
material which probably featured in the director’s cut which I hope gets released one of these days).
Cast and crew interviews
with the director, producer Keith Collea, Parry Shen, Alec Newman, and the film’s composer. Also on the DVD are storyboard
to screen comparisons for a few scenes, and visual effects and concept art featurettes split up into three minute segments
that hint at the behind-the-scenes of the film’s visual effects done by a Bulgarian company.
Music video by Combichrist,
the original theatrical trailer, and the DNA Hacker Chronicles digital comic book round out the extras in addition to trailers
for other films out from Lionsgate.
FINAL ANALYSIS: THE GENE GENERATION is an atmospheric sci-fi film that blends interesting visuals,
a love story, and some action. It has the makings of being a cult film. I hope THE GENE GENERATION 2 does get made since Bai Ling has convinced the director
to write the script.
This DVD Review is (c)2-10-2009 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send
all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
