The Surface (II) (2015) User Reviews

Woman on a mission

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 2 March 2019]

"The Surface" is an American English-language 20-minute live action short film from 2015, so almost 5 years old now, maybe more depending on when you read this review. The writer and director is Willem Kampenhout and this is his only filmmaking credit, even if he has been fairly prolific in other fields. But looking at how good the quality here is, it is a bit disappointing that he has not directed more works. As for the cast, there are no big name actors included. It was not a very expensive production and the money went elsewhere, which is perfectly fine because the actors in here still did a decent job. This is the story of a dark future, in which mankind has fleed into the ground and left the surface to a supernatural threat. So bleak surroundings and background for sure. One woman, however, needs to get back up on the surface to get a certain kind of medicine for her ailing, possibly dying son. What is she gonna run into up there? Will she make it back safely ad maybe even be able to help her child? Watch for yourself. I am generally not too big on science fiction I must admit, but this one here worked nicely for me. It all kinda fits. The story most of all. And the plot works well with the running time too. It is neither too much nor too little and the film is a success in its own right. We get enough background information to also appreciate the aspects we don't really known in detail about and the core plot is very efficient too and there is an interesting story line connection eventually that shows us that the creatures up there may not be too different compared to us when it is about those things that matter the most. I liked it. I would not really say it had the emotional impact on me I hoped it would, but it is definitely worth seeing. There is not a single production value here that disappointed me. Some are even better than 3 out of 5, my final rating for the film, and that includes the cinetography most of all. So give this one a go. I think it is very much worth checking out, especially if you like the genre more than I do.

If you like post-apocalyptic.

[gimailito · 5/10 · 4 October 2018]

Well crafted but in the end and for my taste too dramatic.

What Does It Mean to Be Human?

[leitmotif3 · 7/10 · 13 April 2021]

This is a short story. It is well crafted, and doesn't waste any of your time with unnecessary special effects, mindless action, explosions, etc.

The theme is one told before in innumerable other films, both long and short, as well as in other media, such as short stories, novellas and full length books.

So, if you're looking for something entirely new, you'll be disappointed.

That takes nothing at all away from this story, though. It is graceful, simple and compelling. The author, actors and film crew should take pride in what they've accomplished.

Because--until people get the message--it is a story worth telling over and over and over again.

This was a great short film

[c-jezeski · 8/10 · 2 April 2018]

I quite enjoyed this. The acting was great and scenery was excellent. I did, kind of see the end coming, but it was well executed. I would highly recommend.

Wish this was a series

[oceansd021 · 10/10 · 1 April 2019]

What a wonderful short film. This could definitely be a great series. Hope it gets made.

Enjoyed It

[rex-109-171035 · 9/10 · 9 September 2020]

Fulfilled the old show biz adage often attributed to PT Barnum:

Always leave them wanting more.

Feature Length Vs. Unnecessary

[willard-138-283663 · 10/10 · 13 April 2021]

A comment was made that individual hopes this film "gets made." It was made.

Why do we have the need for every great movie to be feature length. This film was excellent in that it told a whole story, told very well, with a very understandable message, in a short-film version.

Now, more shorts from these profs at BYU? Sure.