Today’s quick review: Doomsday. In 2008, an outbreak of the Reaper virus devastates Scotland and turns it into an enormous quarantine zone, walled off from the rest of the United Kingdom. In 2035, following a fresh outbreak of the virus in London, Major Eden Sinclair (Rhona Mitra) is tasked with entering the quarantine zone to locate a cure. Her only lead is Dr. Kane (Malcolm McDowell), a government scientist who disappeared years ago.
Doomsday is a sci-fi action movie set in a dystopian Scotland ravaged by plague and isolated from the rest of the world. The movie pits Major Sinclair and a team of soldiers against a country full of cannibals in search of a cure that may not even exist. Doomsday features a promising setup, a capable lead in Rhona Mitra, and plenty of violent action. However, its inconsistent tone and uninspired stunts keep it from reaching its full potential.
Doomsday has the makings of an entertaining action movie. Rhona Mitra has the stage presence of an action heroine and does well in her fights. The oppressive government of post-Reaper virus Britain serves to drive the plot and set up twists later in the film. The walled-off ruins of Scotland are a gory playground for the film’s action scenes, with Sol (Craig Conway) and his band of crazed cannibals determined to hunt down Sinclair and her team.
But Doomsday has a better setup than it knows what to do with. Eden Sinclair is never given the chance to shine, with a plot that bounces her from incident to incident without the chance to show much resourcefulness or cunning. The stunts are serviceable and don’t skimp on the gore, but they’re let down by choppy camerawork and a lack of memorable set pieces. The tone itself seesaws between gritty and goofy, undermining the film’s tension.
The end result is a decent sci-fi action movie that doesn’t make full use of the tools at its disposal. Action fans looking for a simple, violent watch should consider giving Doomsday a shot, as it has just enough in the way of action and creativity to entertain. But those hoping for a gripping plot, unique stunt work, or the full realization of an interesting setting should keep looking.
For a female-led dark sci-fi movie with better action, try Resident Evil or Underworld. For a sci-fi action movie a similar premise and an 80s vibe, try Escape from New York. For a zombie movie with a more personal tone that’s also set in a ruined Britain, try 28 Days Later. For one with a lonely atmosphere and more action,t ry I Am Legend.
6.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent action marred by issues with its tone and plot.