A strange mix of artfulness (gorgeous, rich cinematography & a screenplay with a high-concept philosophical bent) and schlock-horror (below par fx/music & TV movie acting - apart from Angela Featherstone, who is utterly hypnotic). Strange also that they try to pass Romania off as the USA (where the script was obviously originally set - why they didn't just tweak the screenplay I'll never know, as the European setting looks stunning). Top this off with multiple references to 'Taxi Driver' (Featherstone feels a similar need to 'wipe the scum off the street'; she even takes her love interest on a first date to a porn movie, and can't understand why this should make him so uncomfortable!). In short - unique. Awful ending though, as abrupt and underwhelming as Full Moon's other efforts from the same period. But, nevertheless, quite an achievement considering the budget (I believe a paltry $250,000!)........
Review of Dark Angel: The Ascent
