14 DAY TRIAL // Simon Hunter’s “Mutant Chronicles” can safely be included in that category of films that spend several years in the making, having been pushed back repeatedly by numerous cast and script changes, and facing difficulties both in the budget and copyright departments. With all this, it is now completed and, what’s more important, it is gearing up for a US limited theatrical release – and what better way to do that than by releasing a red band trailer for it?
Loosely based on the role-playing game with the same title, this film is best described as what “Sin City” would look like if its aesthetics were applied to a war movie, it has been pointed out. As the red band trailer also shows, it plays heavily on atmosphere and action, to the detriment of character development and plot, which makes for an extremely interesting visual experience, with the ability of completely engulfing the viewer in the adrenaline rush shows onscreen.
Still, despite being a relatively modest production in terms of budget, “Mutant Chronicles” is one ambitious film, movie-oriented publications cannot help but notice. With a brilliant cast that is, itself alone, guaranteed to attract audiences, composed of Ron Perlman, John Malkovich, Tom Jane, and Devon Aoki, “Mutant Chronicles” promises much – and, by the looks of it, it will also deliver.
The film is set in 2707, when four grand corporations are fighting over Earth’s depleting resources. As an accidental bomb destroys an ancient seal, an army of mutants is unleashed, which prompts leaders to announce their intention of escaping to Mars, leaving millions of innocents to meet their death at the hands of the gruesome mutants. As expected, it’s up to a handful of brave soldiers to settle this and save mankind from its doom.
“Mutant Chronicles” has already been released and reviewed in a couple of countries across Europe, as well as in some theaters across the US and at film festivals. On March 27, 2009, it will come out on Video-On-Demand, while on April 24 it will open in select theaters. Below is the red band trailer just released. Please note that it is rated R for violence and is meant for restricted audiences only.