I've had it up to here with the false advertising. This isn't a zombie movie. It almost works as a good build up to one but even then it's barely worth mentioning and that isn't the way it was marketed. The movie looks bad. The movie sounds bad. The movie is bad. The only thing about it that makes me give it two stars is that most of the actors were good. That's it. That's the only thing it has going for it.
16 Reviews
The beginning of the walking dead
Stanlee10710 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This feels like a cheap & modern version of Frankenstein. The acting is ok. The mad scientist is so clichéd from the mad narcissistic scientist that plays god to try saving his terminal wife, his failed unethical experiments... the fact that he somehow manages to create a laboratory in his garage without his boss knowing, etc... The list goes on and on... So does this film unfortunately...
This is another example of a film done wrong & we do not need any more films that blends the late George Romero's living dead series and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein if this is the result!
This is another example of a film done wrong & we do not need any more films that blends the late George Romero's living dead series and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein if this is the result!
Been done better a million times before
kaefab1 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Well nothing new here, scientist wants to save a dying love one, and goes on a killing spree to find what he needs.
The difference with this movie is that its cheap, you see the lack of budget and the way its filmed it sucks look super amateur.
I hate that today anyone can do movies i miss the 80
The difference with this movie is that its cheap, you see the lack of budget and the way its filmed it sucks look super amateur.
I hate that today anyone can do movies i miss the 80
Tries hard, but comes up short
lemon_magic10 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A lot of care, craft, hard work, and talent obviously went into making "The Scientist"...but it comes up short as a horror or suspense film.
I will give kudos to the lead actor on this movie - he labored mightily to sell the role, and he has talent and range. It would be interesting to see him in something else. However, there are lots of problems with "The Scientist", and the cast can't save it.
The biggest problem is the pacing. I realize the screenplay is all about building a sense of doom and dread, and to be fair, the last 10 minutes are almost worth the wait. But only almost. Most of the scenes in the first 2/3rd of "The Scientist" just seem to drag on and on. I think the director had enough on the ball that he was going for some kind of stressing of our hopes and goodwill...but he overplays that hand.
Also, while the screenplay tries to be sensitive and show some human feeling during the scenes involving the dying wife, sometimes it turns into Lifetime Movie Network material instead of a horror movie. I will give it credit for trying to capture a sense of tragedy and loss; I just wished the movie didn't come to a dead stop so often just so we could watch the actors emote.
As you can probably tell, I wanted to like this movie more than I actually did. It tries something a little different by "documenting" how a zombie apocalypse might happen (rather than plopping us in the middle of one), it does a good job of portraying a well meaning man's descent into madness, and the last few minutes are good fun. But the whole was less than the sum of the parts this time around.
I will give kudos to the lead actor on this movie - he labored mightily to sell the role, and he has talent and range. It would be interesting to see him in something else. However, there are lots of problems with "The Scientist", and the cast can't save it.
The biggest problem is the pacing. I realize the screenplay is all about building a sense of doom and dread, and to be fair, the last 10 minutes are almost worth the wait. But only almost. Most of the scenes in the first 2/3rd of "The Scientist" just seem to drag on and on. I think the director had enough on the ball that he was going for some kind of stressing of our hopes and goodwill...but he overplays that hand.
Also, while the screenplay tries to be sensitive and show some human feeling during the scenes involving the dying wife, sometimes it turns into Lifetime Movie Network material instead of a horror movie. I will give it credit for trying to capture a sense of tragedy and loss; I just wished the movie didn't come to a dead stop so often just so we could watch the actors emote.
As you can probably tell, I wanted to like this movie more than I actually did. It tries something a little different by "documenting" how a zombie apocalypse might happen (rather than plopping us in the middle of one), it does a good job of portraying a well meaning man's descent into madness, and the last few minutes are good fun. But the whole was less than the sum of the parts this time around.
Avoid .. or you waste your time
homeflash2 March 2021
If I could give 0 or -negative start, i would give -10 for this movie.
It is bad everything.
I am surprised in 2020, people would make this kind of movie. it is worse than b movie.
first 5 minutes, you will see the bad acting, bad casting.. .then bad plot, bad story.
again, everything is bad.
Slow paced, but not as bad as to be expected...
paul_haakonsen1 October 2020
Right, well I had no idea what I was in for when I sat down to watch the 2020 movie "The Scientist", aside from it being a horror movie, and that its poster/cover was actually interesting enough to catch my attention. And with it being horror movie that I hadn't already seen, I needed little persuasion to sit down to watch it.
And while the storyline was rather slow paced, I will say that "The Scientist" actually turned out to be entertaining enough for what it was. For me, personally, it was the last half of the movie that really mattered, as this is where things started to pick up and become interesting. The storyline was pretty straight forward, truth be told, but it was for the most parts a bit too slow paced.
Now, I will not classify "The Scientist" as a zombie movie, but it is a prequel to such, in a way. I mean, this movie deals with the events that lead up to a potential outbreak of zombies. And that was definitely an aspect of the movie that worked for me, especially the last 10 minutes of the movie, that was just all worth it. I was definitely liking the ending of the movie, no doubt about it.
It should be said that the acting in the movie, for the most part, was shoddy, if not dubious. You are not in for a movie of Shakespearian performances when you sit down to watch writer and director Derrick Granado's movie, "The Scientist".
"The Scientist" is not a movie that is making heavy use of special effects, but luckily this is not the type of movie that needs to bedazzle the audience with a spectacle of grand special effects.
I am rating "The Scientist" a five out of ten stars. It was watchable, sure, but it wasn't a grand cinematic moment.
And while the storyline was rather slow paced, I will say that "The Scientist" actually turned out to be entertaining enough for what it was. For me, personally, it was the last half of the movie that really mattered, as this is where things started to pick up and become interesting. The storyline was pretty straight forward, truth be told, but it was for the most parts a bit too slow paced.
Now, I will not classify "The Scientist" as a zombie movie, but it is a prequel to such, in a way. I mean, this movie deals with the events that lead up to a potential outbreak of zombies. And that was definitely an aspect of the movie that worked for me, especially the last 10 minutes of the movie, that was just all worth it. I was definitely liking the ending of the movie, no doubt about it.
It should be said that the acting in the movie, for the most part, was shoddy, if not dubious. You are not in for a movie of Shakespearian performances when you sit down to watch writer and director Derrick Granado's movie, "The Scientist".
"The Scientist" is not a movie that is making heavy use of special effects, but luckily this is not the type of movie that needs to bedazzle the audience with a spectacle of grand special effects.
I am rating "The Scientist" a five out of ten stars. It was watchable, sure, but it wasn't a grand cinematic moment.
Boring
taramgoerlich26 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie sucks. There was barely anything interesting and they "killed" the only nice character! All this movie is this dude going to extremes trying to save his dying wife and his transformation from a normal dude to a freaking lunatic. This is just so bad.
It is what it is
Shemhamforash66626 July 2020
This is a strange movie, because it technically isn't too good but to say that it didn't hold my interest would be a lie. The greatest aspect was the idea of the events leading up to a zombie outbreak instead of focusing on the outbreak itself, which I don't think is a spoiler since the movie is clear from the beginning that said outbreak is coming. This is a unique way to tell a zombie tale.
The production value is what it is. It isn't necessarily bad but it's far from good; perhaps boring would be the proper choice of word here. That said, the film maintains itself through a compelling performance from its leading actor Robb Hudspeth. He portrays a wide range of emotions throughout and he is mostly convincing at all times, which is a must since he is in nearly every scene of the movie.
It isn't a complete winner and it isn't something I would even go so far as to recommend, but it's just compelling enough that I look forward to seeing what Derrick Granado does next.
The production value is what it is. It isn't necessarily bad but it's far from good; perhaps boring would be the proper choice of word here. That said, the film maintains itself through a compelling performance from its leading actor Robb Hudspeth. He portrays a wide range of emotions throughout and he is mostly convincing at all times, which is a must since he is in nearly every scene of the movie.
It isn't a complete winner and it isn't something I would even go so far as to recommend, but it's just compelling enough that I look forward to seeing what Derrick Granado does next.
Worst movie ever
aleshayeager6 August 2021
read this
victorkafantaris25 August 2021
A pretty good movie
kurt782528 February 2021
Before the apocalypse
amitchmcleod19 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This was an entertaining movie and something of a rarity among zombie lore. Whereas most movies of the genre place you smack dab into the zombie apocalypse or the aftermath of such an event, this one gives you an unexpected look into the events leading up to it.
I don't typically watch trailers and I went into this one blindly and I'm glad I did as it left me surprised and when I realized what was going on and what it would ultimately lead up to I found it to be a rewarding experience.
I can't say there were any cast members that didn't deliver, but the standout performance was that of leading man Robb Hudspeth. The range that he expressed throughout this film showed that of dedicated and capable actor that we should all look forward to seeing more from.
I don't typically watch trailers and I went into this one blindly and I'm glad I did as it left me surprised and when I realized what was going on and what it would ultimately lead up to I found it to be a rewarding experience.
I can't say there were any cast members that didn't deliver, but the standout performance was that of leading man Robb Hudspeth. The range that he expressed throughout this film showed that of dedicated and capable actor that we should all look forward to seeing more from.
Gets 3* Cause There Was Some Descent SFX
Fox_Prime14 June 2022
The story isn't all that bad, wife gets terminal disease, guy happens to be a scientist and begins attempting to make a cure for her.
Where it falls apart is the terrible acting, mainly from the main guy, the scientist. Not only does his acting suck but he looks 20 years older than his wife and he's really hard to look at as well as he talks weird.
Then, when he's ready to test his crud on a human lab rat, he gets a bandanna with what I'm assume has chloroform on it. He gets his butt kicked my a super old homeless man then, at a bar, this 20 something starts giving him the hey how you doing eye. GIVE ME A BREAK! This guy is not attractive, zero game. He just walks up to her, whispers in her ear for like half a minute, we are not privi to what he says to her and she just walks off with him and ditches her friends for the guy who's old enough to be her grandpa and 10x as ugly. Yeah, he can't even get the upper hand on her either, she almost escapes before he ends up just having to strangle her. So, what was the point of his stupid chloroform? Didn't work on either people he tried to use it on.
Next he goes after the families hospice nurse which is beyond messed up cause she has been nothing but superb to him and his family. Now, this woman is curvy and black and I just like I didn't believe some young hot coed would have givin this joke of a guy the eye in a bar I sure as hell don't believe that this hospice nurse couldn't have beat the living crud out of the guy. Oh, almost forgot to mention he uses an inhaler too, that's how sorry a sack of poo he is.
The bad casting and worse delivery of the movie ruined any chance it had of being acceptable cause like I said, the actual story wasn't completely terrible.
So yeah my advice, skip it.
Where it falls apart is the terrible acting, mainly from the main guy, the scientist. Not only does his acting suck but he looks 20 years older than his wife and he's really hard to look at as well as he talks weird.
Then, when he's ready to test his crud on a human lab rat, he gets a bandanna with what I'm assume has chloroform on it. He gets his butt kicked my a super old homeless man then, at a bar, this 20 something starts giving him the hey how you doing eye. GIVE ME A BREAK! This guy is not attractive, zero game. He just walks up to her, whispers in her ear for like half a minute, we are not privi to what he says to her and she just walks off with him and ditches her friends for the guy who's old enough to be her grandpa and 10x as ugly. Yeah, he can't even get the upper hand on her either, she almost escapes before he ends up just having to strangle her. So, what was the point of his stupid chloroform? Didn't work on either people he tried to use it on.
Next he goes after the families hospice nurse which is beyond messed up cause she has been nothing but superb to him and his family. Now, this woman is curvy and black and I just like I didn't believe some young hot coed would have givin this joke of a guy the eye in a bar I sure as hell don't believe that this hospice nurse couldn't have beat the living crud out of the guy. Oh, almost forgot to mention he uses an inhaler too, that's how sorry a sack of poo he is.
The bad casting and worse delivery of the movie ruined any chance it had of being acceptable cause like I said, the actual story wasn't completely terrible.
So yeah my advice, skip it.
READ THIS
victorkafantaris25 August 2021
Don't Easter your time watching this movie the first 10 minutes I turned it off ... it's literally just plain out sucks.. terrible movie... are usually don't write comments about movies but this one was so bad I just had to...
Too much build-up with too little pay-off
Woodyanders20 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Desperate scientist Steve Unger (a solid and sympathetic performance by Robb Hudspeth) eschews moral and legal protocol in order to stop his terminally ill wife Darlene (an appealing portrayal by Kristin Keith) from dying. Naturally, Steve's unethical experiments beget dangerous side effects.
While writer/director Derrick Granada warrants some praise for developing two main characters that the audience truly cares about, he alas lets the often dull and uneventful story unfold at a painfully plodding pace as well as fails to generate any essential tension or creepy atmosphere. The game cast do their best with the blah material: David Dittmeier as concerned coworker Robert, Shannon Denay as sweet nurse Betty, Cassidy Kennedy as sexy bar pick-up Minnie, Addison McGarry as adorable daughter Lily, and Vincent Schuurman as disapproving superior Dr. Berry. A really tedious clunker.
While writer/director Derrick Granada warrants some praise for developing two main characters that the audience truly cares about, he alas lets the often dull and uneventful story unfold at a painfully plodding pace as well as fails to generate any essential tension or creepy atmosphere. The game cast do their best with the blah material: David Dittmeier as concerned coworker Robert, Shannon Denay as sweet nurse Betty, Cassidy Kennedy as sexy bar pick-up Minnie, Addison McGarry as adorable daughter Lily, and Vincent Schuurman as disapproving superior Dr. Berry. A really tedious clunker.
Dreadful version of a standard horror/science-fiction theme
blerpnor21 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is the old fundamentally-decent-scientist-driven-to-evil-deeds-in-an-effort-to-save-his-wife plot, and it would have worked 1) had the lead actor had a shred of charisma 2) had the lead actor not been so unattractive by movie standards (I mean, this guy picks up a pretty young woman in a bar?), 3) had the lead character not abandoned all morality in the space of a couple weeks (a more gradual plunge into evil was called for), and 4) had it made an ounce of sense to use the serum/drug on his dying wife when, up to that point, the mixture had only succeeded in producing blank-eyed, mindless, and dangerous walking-dead creatures. Other than that, this is a masterpiece of carefully and logically presented suspense/horror. We can only wonder if sheer awfulness was the filmmakers' goal here.
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