Seed (Unrated)

(3.5 stars out of 5)

The Good Things
*Includes the PC game "Advent Rising." Don't really know why, but it is a nice bonus (and it is a game I always wanted to check out).
*Video/sound quality are great.
*Includes a few special features; deleted scenes, some making-of footage, and trailers.
*The movie is downright disturbing, both graphically and brutally. Expect lots of blood, gore, and torment.
*Production design is not bad. Includes some interesting costumes, make-up effects, and some really wicked footage of living things decaying really fast.
*Cameramanship is interesting. It is a little shaky and jittery, but also very fluid at other parts.
*Acting is not bad. Writing is not bad, and utilizes one or two interesting ideas. Has a few good lines.
*Music is not bad, as I recall.

The Bad Things
*Definately not for the squeamish, especially since the brutality is so strong.

The Questionable Things
*The storyline is rather thin, offering very little development in the events or the characters. But, it is simple, straightforward, and moves along at an immersive rate.
*Includes some segments at the very beginning that appears to be actual PETA footage of animals being tortured. It is very sick and disturbing. But, it is very successful at invoking an emotional response.
*Very abrupt ending that leaves everything wide open (and may also leave you wondering what will happen next).
*The cover is kind of misleading, because the character you see there doesn't really appear anywhere in the film. This, combined with the free PC game, makes the whole thing feel a little gimmicky.

It's an Uwe Boll film, so get ready for some screaming. Fortunately, it won't be screams of anguish over the quality of the film; it will be genuine terror, because this film is extremely wicked, brutal, and somewhat invoking. Granted, it still has a very weak story with a cast of weak characters. But in the same league as "Saw" or one of the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" films, this film is simple, straightforward, and incredibly disturbing. If you can stomach it, it is worthwhile seeing at least once. At the very least, it will make you feel bitter and violated (which is good, because it invokes an emotional response, and brings up some good questions about humanity. This is more than what can be said about most movies).

Say what you will about Uwe Boll, but the much maligned director knows how to garner one reaction or another from people. Seed, a film that actually isn't based on a video game (although the PC game Advent Rising is included with the DVD here, no idea why) tells the story of mass murderer Max Seed (frequent Boll star Will Sanderson), who was electrocuted twice in the chair, and lived. After being buried alive, Seed is out for bloody revenge against those who put him in the ground, most notably being the detective (Michael Pare) that busted him. What sets Seed apart from the typical serial killer flick, and typical Boll flick, is that you really don't know what to expect to happen next. When a movie starts out with a warning from PETA and shows actual footage of animal torture, you know you're in for something different. Whether Seed is worth watching depends on how much you can stomach (the opening scenes are incredibly hard to watch), but Boll's film arguably says more about man's inhumanity to life than all the Saw's and Hostel's put together. Definitely not for everyone, Seed is surprisingly daring, and the denouement will actually stay with you after the credits are done rolling.

Don't watch it...unless you're a veteran horror film connoisseur. "Seed" exceeds any horror fanatic's expectations. It goes beyond the limits of true horror and may set a precedent for a new genre' of film...one that only few will dabble in. HORRIFIC! EXPLICIT! DISTURBING! UNSETTLING! STOMACH-TURNING! So much terror that it brought tears to my eyes. Honest! I kept telling myself as the scenes unfolded..."no way...he's not going to do that...he's not going to do that!" But he did...he did...again and again.

This is no joke. "SEED" is the ultimate terror...horror...graphic...sick commentary on how insane criminals can have no remorse...no limit on pain and suffering...for life and limb...humans, animals...AUGHHH! This film will make your skin crawl and you may never have another "good night's sleep". Keep it away from the kids...the grandkids...people you love...even people you hate.

And to add insult to insanity, the DVD features a short film entitled "Criticized"...about a horror movie reviewer (duh). This 15-minute ditty was a perfect follow-up to the full-length feature. It has changed my perspective on being critical of one's achievements...life or death.

One last warning. No matter how much of a horror fanatic you may believe you are, be prepared for the next level if you venture into the "Seed". I cried during a horror film? They were tears of sheer terror. But I give it a solid "5" because it achieves everything that horror stands for...

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