Starship: Apocalypse

Starship Apocalypse is the sequel to Starship Rising. You do need to watch the earlier film to understand the enormous story that Neil Johnson is telling. But if you don't want to watch Starship Rising first you will receive a small introduction at the beginning of Starship Apocalypse which provides some of the basics about the previous story and where the characters were left, but you do yourself an injustice. This is an epic story which has been made on a miniscule budget. I would love to see what Neil Johnson could do if provided with the funds he needs to make a blockbuster. However, these films are what they are and in truth much of the production is rather ordinary simply due to budgetary constraints. Some of the acting is ordinary (I'm being kind) and the sets are very basic. The production is loaded with special effects - some of which are quite good, although the space craft do seem to behave strangely, changing directions far too quickly and awkwardly. But the story in Starship Apocalypse is much better paced than the earlier film, and it is far easier to follow the plot. There is also more explanation of the relationship between the Federation and Terra Nostra - something that was lacking in the first film. And by the end most of the plot threads were brought together leaving a satisfying end to the saga. This film benefited from a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack (the previous film had a stereo track only) and this worked quite well with a nice balance between the music and speaking voices. If you like science fiction in space and are prepared to forgive the limitations forced by a small budget, you might enjoy Starship Rising and Starship Apocalypse.

Has the potential to be wonderful BUT the editing is bizarre jumping from one location to another in the blink of an eyes. Awful and disorientating in the extreme,full of obscure characters to even more obscure characters with whom you can develop no real affinitygiven the poor nauseating intercuts, breaking continuity throughout.Muddled, brittle sound totally overwhelming the dialogue most of the time and the uneven characterisations combined with some sincere acting and some really poor acting from the extensive female supporting cast, make the film unsatisfying in the extreme.Graphics (computer generated and blue screen also) are visually stunning though presented with a graphic-novel harshness that irks the eyes over time. Bewildering. Beautiful. Disorientating. Inaudilble voicetracks, Overwhelming music and special effects audio. Lead roles are poorly acted for the most part and the script seems as if written by a nerdy socially inept street kid with erotic fantasies.Biggest problem, one that pervades so many many dvd releases in the last couple of years is lighting. I think they could only afford one lightbulb for the set, nearly everything is in darkness or dark with more darkness, even the interior of all the spaceships is dark. Very very poor lighting and some woeful dialogue.Had, has great potential. This version needs a total reworking as, done properly and using at least 3 lightbulbs and sincere competent acting and script, it could be something extraordinary. As it is it is only to be recommended to you if you are deaf and can see in the dark!!!

Why give a 4 star review for a film which so many people hated? Because I liked it, and I liked the first one as well. It may have its budget and resource limitations rather visible throughout, but really, have you done better? These people managed to put together two sci-fi movies with an epic narrative and some really impressive effects sequences with almost no budget. If you prepare yourself for some zero-budget indie sci-fi rather than something which matches the blockbusters, these flicks are just fine. Sure it has issues, but it also has its heart in the right place and some genuinely gripping space sequences. Just try not to look too closely at the script, the acting or the sets ;)

Script a bit confused and light on character development, but I still found this an enjoyable watch.Bit like Dune in throwing many different planets / factions at the viewer, but I liked the treatment of the AI and the final twist does show the AI as more considerate / grown up than the main human character.Essentially a comic book on the screen, but if you want scfi and space battles for a rainy afternoon then this fits the bill.

good

Not as good as first film bit of a let down , it seem to lose the plot disappointing sequel.

Pretty good B scifi movie using old school kit bash model space craft and blue screen scenes with an interesting story that followed on from the first movie.

Quite reasonable CG Images, moderately attractive buxom women cast, a storyline that I haven't a clue what's it about. Quite good.