Movie Review: UltraViolet

Saturday afternoon we were browing the various and sundries stored on the ol' DVR and found, wasting away at the bottom of the pile, Ultraviolet. I can't say that this was something I'd ever heard of (at least not consciously) but Tim had thought it might be something that would interest me as well as him, and thus had recorded it.

The general background for the movie is a war, of sorts, between the hemophages and the "normal" humans. Essentially the hemophages are victims of a blood borne disease that, in addition to slowly killing them, modifies their physical characteristics - I think on a DNA level (can't say this was clearly explained in the movie, though in all honesty, it doesn't really matter beyond some are this way, some aren't. Those who aren't are trying to kill off those who are, lest they also be infected.) Also not particuarly relevant is that some of the modifications in some of the people end up with a Vampire-like adaptation. (But not all hemophages are vampires. I think. Again, not fully clear and not really necessary for enjoyment of the movie.)

The basic plot involves Violet (a hemophage) stealing a "weapon" designed to totally kill off the hemophages and then several twisty turns here and there as the humans try to get it back and different gangs of hemophages fight to control the weapon since it's believed that it may also hold the cure for their condition. (Wikipedia Plot Summary - Spoileriffic)

I really enjoyed it. The plot is perhaps weak and a tad predictable, but it's a fun, effect laden romp all the same, with a few twists to keep it interesting and fast paced. I would liken it to a cross between The Matrix and The Fifth Element. (However, I think the key to enjoying the movie for what it is is to go in with no expectations.)

4 Gravity Levellers out of 5