A couple of years ago, when the news bulletins in Europe were stuffed with updates regarding the 'mad cow disease', I was actually wondering how long it would take before some clever scriptwriter would come up with the very first horror movie revolving on this disturbing illness! As far as I'm aware, this potentially interesting movie never came until the Irish director Billy O'Brien invented something similar, namely a rather far-fetched tale about genetically altered calves running amok on a remote farm in the Irish countryside. "Isolation" is probably also the ONLY horror film ever to have "stolen" an idea from the grotesque animated series "South Park"! How's that? Well, I think it's in the very first episode that Cartman & C° encounter cows that were mysteriously turned inside out, and that wicked phenomenon also features here in this seriously intended and occasionally eerie low-budget horror flick! "Isolation" is a very slow-paced film that doesn't feature many spectacular moments, but it's nevertheless a bit creepy and compelling enough to hold your attention. Especially the first 45 minutes or so are mysteriously build up. There's something the matter with the pregnant cows in farmer Dan's stables. We're told that he agreed to be part of a small-scaled scientific experiment that messes with calves-fetuses, but no details are given at all. Then there's also a young couple perpetrating the farm in their camper. Jamie and Mary are obviously hiding some secrets as well but, again, no details are given. The mysteriousness of the experiments along with the ominous farm-setting really stimulates your curiosity and you want to know where this will all lead to, especially because ordinary cattle aren't exactly the most menacing horror monsters. Sadly enough, "Isolation" turns into a mediocre and slightly dull creature-feature once the truth behind the genetic experiments gets revealed and the actual cow-monster is on the loose. The last half hour, including the film's climax, are a weak imitation of Ridley Scott's legendary "Alien", with the last couple of survivors trying to avoid confrontation with a rarely seen monster. I don't know how they managed this, but Dan's farm suddenly even looks exactly like the Nostromo; the mother-ship in "Alien"! There's only five characters in the film, so don't expect too many gruesome death sequences or sudden twists. The best things I can say about "Isolation" is that it's an atmospheric and well-made film, benefiting from its dark & depressing locations (the rain never seems to end in Ireland) and a genuinely creepy musical score. The creative basic storyline and the patient building up of tension definitely make Billy O'Brien a name to remember.
