This is one of those movies that you would slate if you paid money to see it on the big screen...but as a made-for-TV film, it ain't half bad. Bobbie Phillips is gorgeous and has a real presence. She deserves to go on to bigger and better things. The film itself is nothing original and attempts to be all things to all viewers...part action, part drama, with a touch of sex thrown in for good measure. I'd give it a go, if you're in the mood for nothing substantial. 6 or 7 out of 10, in my opinion.
14 Reviews
A Nice Television Show
claudio_carvalho5 January 2004
Kam (Bobbie Phillips) is a kind of android 99% human and with the power of camouflage of a chameleon. She was created for seducing and killing men by the IBI director Cortez (Philip Casnoff). In order to control her, she must take periodically some drugs. She receives the assignment of recovering a chip which permits the owner to have unlimited credit. When the inventor (Aede) of the chip and his family is trapped by the IBI agents, Kam rescues and saves Aede's son Ghen (the boy Eric Lloyd). Her maternal instinct raises and she protects the boy and she decides to carry him to the field in her motorcycle. The evil Cortez sends some special agents to chase Kam. This action and sci-fi television movie is not bad. Indeed is a good entertainment, with good performances of Bobbie Phillips and the boy Eric Lloyd. Fans of sci-fi movies will not be disappointed. My vote is six.
Bobbie Phillips barely saves this one
Vomitron_G26 April 2006
Since this is a made for TV movie, I'll be mild in my judgement. It's not really bad or something. The acting is okay. The few digital effects are okay. But over-all the story is pretty thin. There's not much action or fighting and the pacing is rather slow too. But if you like watching made for TV sci-fi/crime stuff, then I guess you could do a lot worse than watching this first CHAMELEON installment.
The main thing (for me) to like about this movie was actress Bobbie Phillips, of who you feel she has some pretty decent acting skills, but she isn't really allowed to show them in this movie. She has a bit of that Ashley Judd-beauty and a bit of that Kari Wuhrer-toughness going on there. Anyway, she plays Kam and actually she isn't a cyborg. She's a 'sub'. A genetically altered human clone with improved senses and the ability to take the color of her surroundings, rendering her almost invisible. She drives a groovy motorcycle and wears a slick chameleon-like outfit. But the best scenes are the ones where she takes off that outfit. On no less than three occasions you can see Bobbie Phillips do some naked hot stuff with random males. Now that might sound appealing, but don't expect too much, 'cause it's all kept rather decent and respectable, in order not to upset any younger viewers. So no frontal nudity, folks.
And what about the story? Well nothing special there either. Kam is a member of the IBI (a government-controlled police force or something). Some rebels, the Liberators, have produced a chip that could destroy all economy. Kam must get it, but falls for the charms of a boy who has the chip. She takes him under his protection and they decide to flee the city. Needless to say that the corrupt creator of Kam (also a member of IBI) isn't happy with this and wants to retrieve the chip at any cost.
So this could have been a fun movie with a lot of action, chases and shoot-outs. But after a promising start, the movie slows down in the middle part (when Kam and the boy arrive at the country-side). Then the script sets up for a final confrontation in the big city, but this is also a bit of a let-down (in terms of a spectacular ending). It's a pity, 'cause there was some potential to insert some more action and thrills, but it's clearly that the (rather small) budget didn't allow that. But like I said: you could do a lot worse with made for TV garbage and I hope the other two sequels are a bit better. I've already read the synopsis for the third installment, and that one seems to go over-the-top nicely. Oh, well, as long as Bobbie Phillips is in it, I'll be giving them a watch.
The main thing (for me) to like about this movie was actress Bobbie Phillips, of who you feel she has some pretty decent acting skills, but she isn't really allowed to show them in this movie. She has a bit of that Ashley Judd-beauty and a bit of that Kari Wuhrer-toughness going on there. Anyway, she plays Kam and actually she isn't a cyborg. She's a 'sub'. A genetically altered human clone with improved senses and the ability to take the color of her surroundings, rendering her almost invisible. She drives a groovy motorcycle and wears a slick chameleon-like outfit. But the best scenes are the ones where she takes off that outfit. On no less than three occasions you can see Bobbie Phillips do some naked hot stuff with random males. Now that might sound appealing, but don't expect too much, 'cause it's all kept rather decent and respectable, in order not to upset any younger viewers. So no frontal nudity, folks.
And what about the story? Well nothing special there either. Kam is a member of the IBI (a government-controlled police force or something). Some rebels, the Liberators, have produced a chip that could destroy all economy. Kam must get it, but falls for the charms of a boy who has the chip. She takes him under his protection and they decide to flee the city. Needless to say that the corrupt creator of Kam (also a member of IBI) isn't happy with this and wants to retrieve the chip at any cost.
So this could have been a fun movie with a lot of action, chases and shoot-outs. But after a promising start, the movie slows down in the middle part (when Kam and the boy arrive at the country-side). Then the script sets up for a final confrontation in the big city, but this is also a bit of a let-down (in terms of a spectacular ending). It's a pity, 'cause there was some potential to insert some more action and thrills, but it's clearly that the (rather small) budget didn't allow that. But like I said: you could do a lot worse with made for TV garbage and I hope the other two sequels are a bit better. I've already read the synopsis for the third installment, and that one seems to go over-the-top nicely. Oh, well, as long as Bobbie Phillips is in it, I'll be giving them a watch.
Seemed to Falter a Little After the First 20 Minutes
Uriah4313 November 2014
Filmed in a futuristic setting "Kam" (Bobbie Phillips) is a female cloned by genetic research who happens to possess special attributes which include keen eyesight, an enhanced sense of smell and the ability to camouflage herself into the surrounding environment much like a chameleon. She was created this way for the express purpose of allowing her to get close to whatever targets her supervisors deemed appropriate in order to steal important objects--or to kill them if necessary. In one particular instance she is instructed to accompany a commando unit and acquire a secret microchip from a revolutionary named "Aede" (Anthony Simcoe). Unfortunately, the mission doesn't go according to plan which results in both the revolutionary and his wife choosing to commit suicide rather than being captured. However, just prior to that they manage to transfer the microchip to their young son named "Ghen" (Eric Lloyd) with instructions to escape into the country to avoid capture. As a result of his escape Kam is sent to track down Ghen but when she finally catches up to him her instincts cause her to change allegiances. So now she decides to protect the boy from those who wish to do him harm. At any rate, rather than disclose any more of the story and risk ruining this film for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this movie started off pretty good but seemed to falter a little after the first 20 minutes or so. Additionally, other than the performance of Bobbie Phillips I didn't see anything else that was necessarily that remarkable or noteworthy. In any case, I suppose this was an adequate film for the most part and I rate it as about average.
Nice All-Round
F1-GTR2 July 1999
Chameleon, starring Bobbie Phillips was a Tour de Force. Special effects were astounding, the acting was top notch. Bobbie Phillips was THE only choice to play Kam, the way she went from "maternal" to "assassin" to "maternal" to "assassin" and so forth, was well played. Gan(the boy) was a fresh dose of reality, so innocent etc.... I will surly watch Chameleon 2 when it is aired. I give Chameleon an 8 out of 10.
Ooooh...this blows...
nitedrive738 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Another late night bad movie I happened to watch without intention=) I laughed out loud several times because it was so incredibly ridiculous. First I couldn't put my finger on why.The acting?Okay,it wasn't good,it was like the actors read their lines from a piece of paper.But okay for a B-movie. The story?Yeah,that must be part of it.The story is like a concoct of The Matrix,Terminator and Blade Runner topped up with some William Gibson,all gone bad.And all poorly done.Why the flickering green numbers and Japanese letters in front of people's faces for no obvious reason?Because it looks futuristic and "cool",and to give it some Blade Runner vibes?And headsets won't save a character's credibility either,PLEASE only put headsets on a character when motivated by the circumstances!!It will look really,really stupid otherwise. When Kam is presented as genetically engineered with falcon,chameleon and cougar genes I couldn't keep myself from laughing out loud. And what about the rubber suits,black leather and shades?To make Kam look like a sexy Molly Millions?Come ON!This movie makes me wonder why some scripts are picked up at all.It's obviously low-budget,and even if some visual effects are okay(it's hilariously funny/ridiculous to watch Kam blend into the background due to her chameleon genes,but the visual effect in itself is decently done),the story is crap,much like a really bad and cheap video game. Blade Runner is a classic,Ridley Scott knows how to direct a sci-fi story with nerve,darkness and atmosphere.Stuart Cooper obviously don't. If you have seen Blade Runner before,see it again instead of wasting time on Chameleon.Or read a Gibson novel.
Kick ass flick
clauds18 April 2020
Talky and dull B-movie, though Bobbie Phillips looks great
gridoon202423 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Bobbie Phillips has the potential - and the body - to be a great action heroine (for further proof, look no further than a little movie called "TC 2000"), but she is disappointingly underutilized in "Chameleon": she begins as a killing machine but, unfortunately, she becomes the guardian and protector of a little boy, which brings out her maternal instincts. If you want to see Bobbie Phillips bonding with a kid for 80 minutes, this is your movie; if you want to see her kicking butt, you're outta luck. I fall into the second camp, so I found the movie - though technically competent for its obviously low budget - talky, dull and unfulfilling. *1/2 out of 4.
Oddly spellbinding, keeps you intrigued right to the end.
fgunther22 December 2001
Any SciFi fan who has read Robert Heinlein's classic "Friday" will feel at home with this very gripping story, which is yet very different.
A young woman, a laboratory genetic creation (a "sub" in this movie), moves outside the parameters of her merciless programming to protect a young boy from her own agency.
She has been programmed as the perfect Federal agent, naturally with some enhanced abilities, and a total incapacity to feel emotion. Bobbie Phillips excellently portrays the conflict as she goes against everything she has been taught, and begins experiencing the feelings of a human being. Probably the most poignant part of the movie is watching her awaken as a lover; she had been taught to use sex as a tool, nothing more.
The movie is well-paced, with a pleasant minimum of gore. There are some minor inconsistencies, (lasers barking like .44 handguns?), but the effects are very well done, and the acting, on the whole, far better than average.
I gave this movie a 9; take off a couple of points if you don't like SciFi. But this movie passes the most important test - I would definitely watch it again.
A young woman, a laboratory genetic creation (a "sub" in this movie), moves outside the parameters of her merciless programming to protect a young boy from her own agency.
She has been programmed as the perfect Federal agent, naturally with some enhanced abilities, and a total incapacity to feel emotion. Bobbie Phillips excellently portrays the conflict as she goes against everything she has been taught, and begins experiencing the feelings of a human being. Probably the most poignant part of the movie is watching her awaken as a lover; she had been taught to use sex as a tool, nothing more.
The movie is well-paced, with a pleasant minimum of gore. There are some minor inconsistencies, (lasers barking like .44 handguns?), but the effects are very well done, and the acting, on the whole, far better than average.
I gave this movie a 9; take off a couple of points if you don't like SciFi. But this movie passes the most important test - I would definitely watch it again.
Muy Excellente!!!
Taram14 November 2000
This is one of the better sci-fi/super hero movies made in the 1990's. Though the blatant use of sex could have been toned down, it did serve the purpose of highlighting the main character's evolution from an unfeeling "machine" to a very caring, heroic woman the viewer was ready to cheer for all the way to the bitter end. Bobbie Phillips, who played "Kam" the re-engineered woman who saves a young boy, really made this movie the gem that it is and was ably assisted by her co-star Eric Lloyd, the boy who played "Ghen".
If you like this movie, you will also like the X-Men, Xena, and the Queen of Swords. You may also like Wonder Woman and some of Ray Bradbury's works.
If you like this movie, you will also like the X-Men, Xena, and the Queen of Swords. You may also like Wonder Woman and some of Ray Bradbury's works.
A very good night at the movies.
servofan13 June 1999
"Chameleon" features excellent acting by Bobbie (Dr. Bug Lady from the X-Files) Phillips whose buff muscle-play reinforces her role as a genetically engineered human. The young actor who portrays Gan, the kid, also displays an accomplished flair for drama--very rare. The effects including a cool skin camouflage are used judiciously and successfully. The intelligent script relies heavily on the characters--which is always a good thing in my book. I get the feeling UPN was considering this movie as a pilot. It's a shame they didn't run with it.
Bobbie Phillips Saved the Show
pavlik-220 May 2000
Bobbie Phillips made the day for this movie. She portrayed smart, strong, sexy Kam projecting her quite confidence and inner conflicts very well. If you like the genre of Wonder Woman, Xena, or Supergirl, then you'll like this movie.
Unfortunately, Kam's special abilities, the anchor of the movie's plot, were seldom exploited in the storyline. Bobbie Phillips had only a few chances to show off Kam's special abilities, but when she did have a chance, she was flawless.
There is talk of UPN making Chameleon into a series. It would be a smart move. Perhaps people are ready to see women in tough action roles without having to make appalingly stupid VIP and Cleopatra 2525 cheesecake type shows.
Unfortunately, Kam's special abilities, the anchor of the movie's plot, were seldom exploited in the storyline. Bobbie Phillips had only a few chances to show off Kam's special abilities, but when she did have a chance, she was flawless.
There is talk of UPN making Chameleon into a series. It would be a smart move. Perhaps people are ready to see women in tough action roles without having to make appalingly stupid VIP and Cleopatra 2525 cheesecake type shows.
UPN so it's good
robert-macc11 February 2024
I haven't really seen the movie but it looks good from the looks of it, and Bobbie Phillips is a great actress and a queen of the art. If Annabella Sciorra and her bros, and Miley Cyrus and her bros are the epitome of hitting it hard in all they do, then Bishop is thee female equivilent. This, btw, was released by Village Roadhshow Pictures, and while not Warner Bros., it primarily distributes WB movies overseas. And to those morons who think Tribune and The WB are truly Warner Bros., UPN was airinging Warner Bros. stuff far more than The WB, and it was more popular too. And this is a gold mine.
UPN/Warner Bros./WB flagship, FTW.
PS, this is very similar to a female revenge story, from 1992, that was Australian, also released, in Australia, by WB. Possibly via Village Roadshow.
UPN/Warner Bros./WB flagship, FTW.
PS, this is very similar to a female revenge story, from 1992, that was Australian, also released, in Australia, by WB. Possibly via Village Roadshow.
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