Babylon A.D

Based on the book BABYLON BABIES by author Maurice G. Dantec; BABYLON A.D. is a movie that it’s own director was very unhappy with the final cut of the film that the studio released. It’s said that the studio cut up to seventy minutes of director Mathieu Kassovitz cut of the movie to bring the running time down to ninety six minutes. Due to the disagreements between the two parties, the movie received almost no promotion and was never screened for film critics. Thus, the movie was barely noticed when it hit theaters in this past August. The movie was made for sixty million dollars and only pulled in a little over twenty-two million; and to think Vin Diesel passed on the lead role in HITMAN to act in this movie.

BABYLON A.D. stars Vin Diesel as Toorop, a mercenary and smuggler hiding out in a post Russian country. However, he is found by a crime boss named Gorsky ( Gérard Depardieu). Gorsky has a big job for him, one that will land Toorop a half a million dollars if he accepts. The job is to smuggle a girl named Aurora (Mélanie Thierry) and her mentor sister Rebeka (Michelle Yeoh) into America and get them to New York City. Toorop agrees and the dangerous adventure begins. Toorop however does not know that Aurora is holding a secret within her, one that will be used to control the world shall it fall into the wrong hands. Now with danger around every corner, and enemies on their tales the trio must try to get to New York.

While I found BABYLON A.D. to be a movie that was at least watchable, and a lot better than it’s own director said it was; the movie still had it’s issues. I found the storyline when the movie first started out to be easy to follow for the first half of the movie, until we really got into the origin of Aurora and I was lost as to what the whole deal was with why she was so important. I got it towards the end of the movie, but was left trailing in thought by the movies ending. The script has it’s ups and downs, and I don’t really know if it was the studio cut that made the movie confusing or if it was just the way the script was written. But as far as this cut goes, unless your paying close attention you’ll miss certain hints and plot points that make the movie all but confusing. The script also has some dialogue that at times made my eyes roll, but overall it’s an alright script, that does have it’s issues.

The films overall acting is alright. I’m not going to sit here and say the performances were out of this world or anything. Out of all the roles I’ve seen Vin Diesel play throughout his acting years I’d have to say this is probably his weakest performance, although I’m not going to say he was bad; he was alright. Gérard Depardieu’s role he can only be given half credit for, as his voice was dubbed with someone else’s voice from what I read, so you know how that’s a crapshoot. The rest of the cast was jut alright, nothing great, but not half bad either. I really think what affected the performances was the script and the dialogue as I mentioned above.

The movie’s strong point was it’s great production value which had a lot of great sci-fi elements. First off the post apocalyptic set designs, and the great costume deigns really help the movies look out and make you feel like your really part of the movie. The special effects also look and work well with the film, making it that much more better and believable. I think the only thing that looks odd is a futuristic looking New York City, which looks like a giant billboard for all the latest trendy products. Speaking of which; once our characters make it into the United States, the movie does become very commercialized. Not sure if this is something the director was trying to say about our culture or if this was the studios way of getting money for the film though advertising.

Overall, BABYLON A.D. is one of those sci-fi pictures that seems it could of been a better movie if both parties involved in the making of this movie agreed on the way the movie should of been filmed and edited. It’s a great story, but the overall production of the movie seemed rushed and we where left using our imagination to fill in the blanks. It’s not a bad movie, but it does have it issues. I think the story line is good, but I don’t think the whole story was presented to the audience the way it should have been. I think this movies a toss up, some will like it, and other won’t care for it at all.

– Horror Bob

DVD DETAILS:

DVD:

The Babylon A.D. dual single- disc includes both the theatrical and unrated cut, is presented in widescreen (1.85:1 aspect ratio) and features English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish and French Dolby Surround with English, Spanish and French subtitles. Bonus Features include:

– Babylon Babies –How author Maurice G. Dantec’s novel went from page to screen

– Arctic Escape – An inside look at the snow mobile chase

– An inside look at Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia

Special Edition DVD With Digital Copy:

The Babylon A.D. Special Edition two-disc unrated cut is presented in widescreen (1.85:1 aspect ratio) and features English 5.1 Dolby Digital and French Dolby Surround with English, Spanish and French subtitles.

The Special Edition DVD also features Digital Copy. Bonus Features include:

– Babylon Babies –How author Maurice G. Dantec’s novel went from page to screen

– Arctic Escape – An inside look at the snow mobile chase

– Fit For The Screen – A featurette about the martial arts and stunts of the film

– Flight of the Hummers –The exciting Humvee chase is dissected

– Genesis of Aurora – A graphic novel prequel to Babylon A.D.

– Still gallery