If you have the feeling you've been here before, you have.
Rodriquez keeps the action moving quickly forward, which is the film's major virtue, but in the process this momentum effectively diminishes much sense of suspense. For instance, the kids discover the alien plot about twenty minutes into the film, and thereafter they're merely running around. Also, the violence relatively is subdued, at least for a Rodriques film. There are a few stabbings, some dismembered fingers, but not a lot of blood or gore. In one scene that's moderately effective, and straight out of John Carpenter's "The Thing," the heroes must test each other to see if any one of them is an alien being. This scene works because it creates danger and tension; but it doesn't last long and then it's back to the chase.
Fortunately, the special effects are pretty good. Digital monsters are all the rage these days, and the one at the film's climax is worth the wait.
Video:
Buena Vista's picture quality is much like all their DVD transfers. It's colorful and vibrant in a glossy kind of way. There is good definition, there are few flickers, and there are no digital artifacts to be seen.
Audio:
The sound, although Dolby Digital 5.1 feeding five discrete channels, uses the rear speakers less than I would have expected in a film of this type. There is practically no low bass, but there is a lot of loud. Rodriquez loves loud, and every time there's a thrill to underscore, which is about every two minutes, the music swells up through all five channels. It becomes grating.
Extras:
To add insult to injury, BV again offer no real bonus materials on their DVD. Of course, they are not alone in this practice. Paramount and Fox seldom include any extras, either. This might be all right if the film could stand on its own, but "The Faculty" needs all the help it can get. There are scene selections and a trailer, but these are givens in this day and age.
Parting Shots:
"The Faculty" is intentionally unoriginal, meant to remind us of other fright films, but to little purpose. It isn't very suspenseful, frightening, or satirically funny. It's a notch above "Disturbing Behavior," thanks largely to its appealing cast, but that's not enough for an outright recommendation.
Fortunately, the special effects are pretty good. Digital monsters are all the rage these days, and the one at the film's climax is worth the wait.
Video:
Buena Vista's picture quality is much like all their DVD transfers. It's colorful and vibrant in a glossy kind of way. There is good definition, there are few flickers, and there are no digital artifacts to be seen.
Audio:
The sound, although Dolby Digital 5.1 feeding five discrete channels, uses the rear speakers less than I would have expected in a film of this type. There is practically no low bass, but there is a lot of loud. Rodriquez loves loud, and every time there's a thrill to underscore, which is about every two minutes, the music swells up through all five channels. It becomes grating.
Extras:
To add insult to injury, BV again offer no real bonus materials on their DVD. Of course, they are not alone in this practice. Paramount and Fox seldom include any extras, either. This might be all right if the film could stand on its own, but "The Faculty" needs all the help it can get. There are scene selections and a trailer, but these are givens in this day and age.
Parting Shots:
"The Faculty" is intentionally unoriginal, meant to remind us of other fright films, but to little purpose. It isn't very suspenseful, frightening, or satirically funny. It's a notch above "Disturbing Behavior," thanks largely to its appealing cast, but that's not enough for an outright recommendation.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]2154[/release]