Release Date: March 3, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of violent action throughout, partial nudity and language
Written and Directed by: Kurt Wimmer
Starring: Milla Jovovich, Cameron Bright, Nick Chinlund, William Fichtner, Sebastien Andrieu, Ida Martin, Ricardo Mamood
Plot:
Set in the late 21st century, a subculture of humans has emerged with a genetic mutation causing enhanced speed, incredible stamina and acute intelligence. As more people are infected and the government becomes increasingly terrified of their growing power, those with the mutation are treated as outcasts, subjected to terrifying tests and put into quarantine. The government sets out to destroy them, but one woman is determined that that doesn't happen: ultra-beautiful, ultra-lethal Violet. With eye-popping martial arts skills and chameleon-like abilities, Violet becomes a rogue warrior bent on protecting her new race -- and seeking revenge on those who created it.
Review:
Its hard to imagine that Director Kurt Wimmer of the sci-fi hit Equilibrium is behind this film. Ultraviolet is a waste, a CGI overload that will drop your IQ in its first few minutes. With Equilibrium, a powerful story was told, the visual effects were stunning and the actors were solid. With Ultraviolet, Wimmer is lacking in story, character development and at least a bit of realism, this is not a film, its a videogame.
Take a ton of weapons, make up a world where humans are disliked, add an attractive actress and there you have Ultraviolet. Thats not exaggerated either, this is Ultraviolets base. Playing this character is Milla Jovovich who is mostly known for her roles in the Fifth Element and Resident Evil films. Millas acting hasn't changed, she is still, well, average at the very best. One of the key problems with Violets character in this film is the fact that she hardly shows emotion when in fact she a very tough childhood.
Emotion is besides the point though, because this film is interested in being exhilarating with action that doesn't seem to come to an end. Something worst than a lot of action is unimpressive action and thats one of the failures of Ultraviolet. I can say that some action scenes were interesting, but there was nothing new or groundbreaking than what we have seen before. The action is over the top, but its in a world that we will never understand claims Milla Jovovich.
The Matrix came to mind when witnessing the action in Ultraviolet, but comparing the two would be an injustice. Matrix is of course far superior, but the point here is that it has been done and done in a better and more professional fashion. Complexity fails in this film as it merely tries to plot itself as a battle of survival for Violet. If a little boy is hurt or killed then Violet dies, the connection here, is beyond me.
The little boy here is actor Cameron Bright who just recently turned thirteen years old, but looks like he is eight. He has been in Running Scared, Thank you for Smoking and Ultaviolet of course, so far this year. A very minimal amount of dialogue is given to him here because he is supposed to act confused or inhumanly. Ultraviolet uses this boy as the plot in a film that never gets off gear one.
Ultraviolet is a failure, if I were to name the positives it would be Milla's appearance and the costumes. For that, I could just look at pictures of Milla in costumes than to endure an hour and a half of pain to the eyes and ears. Its unfortunate for a director like Wimmer to downgrade to something poor. The studios might have had some say in the final product, but the direction is still awful. Ultraviolet is a bad superhero film, it follows the footsteps of 2004's Catwoman. Whos better Halle Berry or Milla Jovovich? Acting wise, I'd say they are about even.
