Sometimes I wonder why certain films don’t get the the theatrical release they deserve. With the case of this film; THE LAZARUS PROJECT, I can understand why it didn’t get a major push, but at the same time it’s such a wonderful film. But from watching, and it’s confusing storyline, the normal average moviegoer probably won’t get the story. Thus, I can understand the studio’s decision to put it direct to DVD and give it a limited release, rather than giving it the Hollywood royal treatment.
THE LAZARUS PROJECT stars Paul Walker (The Fast & the Furious) as a young father named Ben Garvey living the simple life with his wife and daughter. He works at a local brewery where is loved by both his boss and his co-workers. However, he has a past, one that will come back to haunt him and eventually cost him his job. With a family to support, and his brother recently being released from jail, he agrees to pull a robbery with his brother in order to not only make some money, but also save his brothers life. Things go horribly wrong during the pursuit and people lose their lives. Ben is convicted of causing the murders due to his involvement and is sentenced to death. However, fate has another ides for Ben and he wakes up as the grounds keeper of the Metal Hospital. However he can’t see his family and this disturbs him. He has been given a new life and Ben can’t figure out if this is his real life and the life he had with his family was only a good dream gone bad. But, maybe there is someone or something else involved in this odd event that has happened in Ben’s life, and he will try to find out the truth.
The script for this film is not half bad. It has plenty of good moments and is knee deep in character development, especially with the character of Ben Garvey, as we get to know him from the inside out. It does slow down a bit in the middle of the film, but once we get past the establishment of the story and into the mystery that’s where the film begins to pick up. For the most part it’s a very well written script.
The film’s acting is very good. Regardless of what anyone say’s Paul Walker is a great actor. I’ve always liked the guy in just about every film he has been in, so I may be a little biased, but I like the guy’s work, and he spares no expense at giving us his all in this film. The film also stars Piper Perabo (Coyote Ulgy) as Ben’s Wife, Bob Gunton (Dead Silence) and Linda Cardellini (Scooby-Doo). The supporting performances are all pretty good, but it is Walker who is the main focus and star of this film.
The film has very good production value despite that it’s many locations are your basic, building, houses and work places. It is very well edited and is shot pretty well. The pacing and action is pretty good, but it is slow at times in the middle of the film. There is no visual effects or any kind of gore or blood of the sorts so you can’t look at the film as being a horror like thriller with blood and so on. Sure there is murder involved and a bizarre storyline that borders on fantasy and science fiction. But it’s a film that’s basis is revolved around a good mystery.
Overall, THE LAZARUS PROJECT is a very well put together film that has a great storyline and is full of many great plot twists that will keep you thinking the whole way though. This is a film that many people, mainly adults will enjoy. It has a sci-fi kick to it, but it works primarily as a mystery thriller. Well worth checking out on DVD and renting at your local video store.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
