A British made post-apocalyptic offering done the way of the independent route, Edge of Extinction (at one time known as The Brink) may have a budget similar to many blockbuster's lunchtime catering options but it doesn't stop Andrew Gilbert's overly long feature film from being one that isn't going to let budget restraints hold back it's big ideas.
Originally envisioned as a short film and developed into a near two and half hour epic that follows Luke Hobson's nameless lead try and survive in a world that has failed to recover from World War 3 15 years previously, a job made tougher when he comes across Georgie Smibert's "The Girl" and Chris Kaye "The Man" who like Hobson's character are doing anything they can to survive.
This bleak and dangerous world in which our main trio find themselves in is a world where like many post-apocalyptic offerings we've seen over the journey is filled with marauders, murderers, cannibals and the odd kind-hearted soul, many scavenging for food, company and game in a universe that has long lost its humanity and grace.
There's nothing unique about this space that Extinction plays out in and it ends up taking a familiar route of revenge and violence when the human threats of the tale become more apparent and the trio at the centre of the film must forget their kindness and grace if they are to survive in a cutthroat game of life and death.
What is impressive about the film is its collection of impressive performances from its main cast with Hobson, Smibert and Kaye all investing themselves into their roles and while the characters themselves may be relatively thinly drawn and without much backstory to lay-hold on, their commitment to the cause is impressive in such a DIY affair.
The other bonus to this tale is the work of its location and technically work. The abandoned schools and farm lands of Bedfordshire England make for a great setting for this futuristic world that feels more real than ever considering the time we are in today in this global pandemic space, while the bone crunching violence and set pieces that litter the film are memorable in their nature, making this a journey not for the squeamish.
At days end there's nothing ground-breaking about Extinction and it was in dire-need of a harsher edit with the plot line of the film taking 2 - 3 unnecessary detours but for a film of this ilk, there's much to enjoy and much to admire.
Final Say -
A familiar take on the post apocalyptic sub-genre of sci-fi/thrillers done by the way of its ever apparent independent roots, Edge of Extinction is a solid attempt at bringing a harsh, potentially true to reality future to the feature film market.
3 unappealing meal preparations out of 5
Originally envisioned as a short film and developed into a near two and half hour epic that follows Luke Hobson's nameless lead try and survive in a world that has failed to recover from World War 3 15 years previously, a job made tougher when he comes across Georgie Smibert's "The Girl" and Chris Kaye "The Man" who like Hobson's character are doing anything they can to survive.
This bleak and dangerous world in which our main trio find themselves in is a world where like many post-apocalyptic offerings we've seen over the journey is filled with marauders, murderers, cannibals and the odd kind-hearted soul, many scavenging for food, company and game in a universe that has long lost its humanity and grace.
There's nothing unique about this space that Extinction plays out in and it ends up taking a familiar route of revenge and violence when the human threats of the tale become more apparent and the trio at the centre of the film must forget their kindness and grace if they are to survive in a cutthroat game of life and death.
What is impressive about the film is its collection of impressive performances from its main cast with Hobson, Smibert and Kaye all investing themselves into their roles and while the characters themselves may be relatively thinly drawn and without much backstory to lay-hold on, their commitment to the cause is impressive in such a DIY affair.
The other bonus to this tale is the work of its location and technically work. The abandoned schools and farm lands of Bedfordshire England make for a great setting for this futuristic world that feels more real than ever considering the time we are in today in this global pandemic space, while the bone crunching violence and set pieces that litter the film are memorable in their nature, making this a journey not for the squeamish.
At days end there's nothing ground-breaking about Extinction and it was in dire-need of a harsher edit with the plot line of the film taking 2 - 3 unnecessary detours but for a film of this ilk, there's much to enjoy and much to admire.
Final Say -
A familiar take on the post apocalyptic sub-genre of sci-fi/thrillers done by the way of its ever apparent independent roots, Edge of Extinction is a solid attempt at bringing a harsh, potentially true to reality future to the feature film market.
3 unappealing meal preparations out of 5