Someone created jobs, putting a lot of actors and studio people to work, and also endorsed (perhaps indirectly) some pretty good products. Other than that, there's really not much to say about this movie. While it does have its moments, it's not one I'd knock down the doors of the video outlet to get to. In fact, this is one of those movies you'd watch when you've already viewed everything else in the store.
It's the story about people who live in the small town of Baxter, California (population 87). A truck has overturned spilling a mysterious chemical, and the driver of the truck dies. Investigators believe he died from whatever the chemical is. Soon the FBI arrive and quarantine the entire town, leaving everyone wondering whether or not they are going to live or die a horrible death. A man and his daughter who came to sort of sight see while on their way to an audition, end up along with the townspeople, unable to travel further since the FBI have set up road blocks around the area. What will happen to these people? You'll need to get the movie and find out.
The film does have an array of interesting characters. One of them, a deputy who wants to be a sheriff in another town tends to make mountains out of mole hills. It's ironic in that I actually know policemen and women who are just like his character.
If you're a Christina Ricci fan, you're sure to love this movie in that she is peppered throughout it. Roles are played well, and hers is the most unigue of the bunch. She's definitely a girl you would not want to make mad, and when you see the movie you'll understand why. In a way, the movie has two plots. One of course is the story of what's going to happen to the quarantined people, the other is finding out the facts concerning a mysterious fire at a motel. I did like the dialogue in that it was at times thought provoking. As the people tried to go about their daily activities as normally possible, they brought up interesting outlooks on life, and on what could be their last days alive.
There is a minimum amount of action in this film. It is a movie for people who enjoy dialogue. There is no nudity, no overt sexual situations, but it does have strong language. There is romance, but not to the point to where you would want to cover the eyes of your kids. One of the "highlights" of the film is where the teens of the town get into an orange war, then one part where someone gets shot trying to leave town. I own the movie, and I've watched it once, and perhaps I will again, still, this is not a grand epic action packed film.
