Kyle MacLachlan and Elisabeth Shue play Matthew and Annie, a fairly well-off couple with an infant daughter. They soon find out how far they're prepared to go in order to survive when an unexplained power outage hits their whole city. Among other things, they invest in some protection (buying a rifle from a pawn shop), steal some much-needed medication for the child, and get into trouble with a stranger (Michael Rooker) who's determined to get a ride. Dermot Mulroney plays Matthews' brother Joe, a combination third wheel and third point of a love triangle.
Partly inspired by an episode of an old TV series called 'Connections', this film marked the directing debut for busy screenwriter David Koepp ("Jurassic Park", "Spider-Man" (2002), "Stir of Echoes", etc.). It begins by illustrating how humans don't show other humans consideration under ordinary circumstances. So naturally things are only going to get a lot worse during a time of crisis. "The Trigger Effect" does touch upon recurring themes from this sort of story, specifically how normal human decorum and morality tend to go out the window. But it's never really as compelling as Koepp intended, mostly because this viewer didn't think THAT much of the script, and didn't find himself caring a lot for the characters. But by the end, it does show a glimpse of hope, when one character decides that he will trust another, and the favour is returned.
The actors have been better utilized in other things, for sure, but that doesn't mean that their performances are bad, either. The attractive star trio is well supported by a variety of character actors such as Richard T. Jones, Bill Smitrovich, Mr. Rooker, Philip Bruns, William Lucking, Richard Schiff, and Jack Noseworthy. Koepps' filmmaking debut is reasonably competent - at least, he held this viewers' attention for 95 minutes - without being particularly stylish.
While I wouldn't excoriate this minor thriller the way that so many moviegoers and critics did, it's not a total waste of time, having some effective stretches here and there. Unfortunately, although it wasn't a big budget picture, it still under-performed at the box office and became a "forgotten" film over time.
Go in with no real expectations, and you might be entertained for a little over an hour and a half.
Six out of 10.
Partly inspired by an episode of an old TV series called 'Connections', this film marked the directing debut for busy screenwriter David Koepp ("Jurassic Park", "Spider-Man" (2002), "Stir of Echoes", etc.). It begins by illustrating how humans don't show other humans consideration under ordinary circumstances. So naturally things are only going to get a lot worse during a time of crisis. "The Trigger Effect" does touch upon recurring themes from this sort of story, specifically how normal human decorum and morality tend to go out the window. But it's never really as compelling as Koepp intended, mostly because this viewer didn't think THAT much of the script, and didn't find himself caring a lot for the characters. But by the end, it does show a glimpse of hope, when one character decides that he will trust another, and the favour is returned.
The actors have been better utilized in other things, for sure, but that doesn't mean that their performances are bad, either. The attractive star trio is well supported by a variety of character actors such as Richard T. Jones, Bill Smitrovich, Mr. Rooker, Philip Bruns, William Lucking, Richard Schiff, and Jack Noseworthy. Koepps' filmmaking debut is reasonably competent - at least, he held this viewers' attention for 95 minutes - without being particularly stylish.
While I wouldn't excoriate this minor thriller the way that so many moviegoers and critics did, it's not a total waste of time, having some effective stretches here and there. Unfortunately, although it wasn't a big budget picture, it still under-performed at the box office and became a "forgotten" film over time.
Go in with no real expectations, and you might be entertained for a little over an hour and a half.
Six out of 10.