Hostile Dimensions

Not the worst film ever. But with such a good premise, the execution of it leaves one wanting. Dodgy acting, some silly effects, and a stupid ending. But for a budget indie movie you get what you expect.

Wow, not a bad effort at all! Hostile Dimensions is about as Indy a film as I've ever seen, apart from that similarly themed 2010 effort by The Moldy Peaches' band member, Adam Green, 'The Wrong Ferrari' the first feature length film shot entirely on iphone and in which likewise, every time the protagonists go through an incidental door, it takes them to some otherwordly place thoroughly unconnected with the last. In Green's film this device majorly serves no particular objective purpose other than to maintain the continuity of conversation, with the characters often oblivious to these scene changes, whereas Hostile Dimensions takes this idea and makes it a full blown elemental device of the core plot. Hostile Dimensions contains the regulation, at least one, jump scare, a few genuinely chilling moments of worrisome confusion guaranteeing to spook, and plenty to keep that average horror/sci-fi genre viewer happy, if they're not too picky about the slighlty obvious special effects budgetary constraints, over come in a splendid manner through its overall charismatically charming presentation of a great idea for a story (without which you've really got nothing!) Mercifully, Hostile Dimensions does not contain that singularly over used, cliched device that is the strange and over the top, prematurely horrifically fatal encounter with some inexplicably terrible 'thing', incredibly horrible in nature and ultimately turning out to be only a nightmare as, during the 'big reveal', the protagonist rapidly sits bolt upright in bed, waking, panting and sweating. Too bad it didn't have a modicum more special effects funding and an extended running time (72 mintes just isn't enough for material aspiring to and, at times achieving, such heights). Another 30 minutes run time might have served to build up some of those elements which begged to be further expanded and explored. Such as, greater exploitation of the different worlds of the imagination encountered by the protagonists-an aspect standing at genius level for its potential, (and its delivery of) amazing spectacle yet, sadly, left somewhat wanting, given its potential for greatness. Also i found it hampered to an extent with the presence of characters (forced by run time constraints(?) hardly introduced, under developed and thereby slightly puzzling for their relevance, presenting them thusly as slightly beguiling for their role within the overall story. Some of the otherwise, well used supernatural elements present also felt under utilised, their lack ultimately detracting from the whole. But still, despite these few relatively minor faults, Hostile Dimensions trumps the average low budget horror genre catastrophy level production cliche salad and inspires for what it achieves with what it obviously found handy, standing as a prime example of what can be achieved when powerfully imaginative intellectalong with creative and motivated minds and wills brimming wih talent and skill, determination and courage combine to produce a film on the producers' own terms and the best they could, under the circumstances, where it seriously over delivers! Imagine what this crew could achieve with the backing of a streaming seervice with little to no creative interference? I'd hazard a guess that embryonic masterpieces are already waiting. It's no blockbuster, but I'd daresay it contains more plot content and skillfully presented characterisation than most vastly extravagent blockbusters in which, out of the primary overarching fear of not recouping their capital, they strip away every formerly unique and significantly unusual element of the script, until it hovers at the level of absent mindedly thumbed through, Saturday afternoon kid's generic comic strip book intellectual level, caused by that gutting of the striking, imaginative ocntent that saw it initially considered feasible for production in the first place, instead wholly left bleeding on the cutting room floor. Where those films hope this does not matter and rely on placing their trust in its eventual fiscal success as a result of its myriad firworks display of spectacular special effects taking center stage, Hostile Dimensions has that which defines all great art, the elemental triggers unlocking the imagination of the audience challenged by it to join in on the adventure, and no matter how much you over spend, there's no amount of money that could ever explode as brightly and brilliantly!

three stars, but a very enthusiastic three stars

three stars

Really enjoyed is something a bit different explored something interesting would love to see more in the vein don't expect a AAA ride though its a great indie film