Displaying items by tag: Nic Mathieu

SPECTRAL

US, 2016, 107 minutes, Colour.

James Badge Dale, Emily Mortimer, Bruce Greenwood, Max Martini.

Directed Nic Mathieu.

There are quite a number of spectres in Spectral.

The setting is a blend of the present and the future, arms developments in the United States, experiments, but a civil war in Moldava, the past with the Russian connection, uprisings, devastation.

The film opens with the soldier on patrol, encountering a spectral appearance, white and ghostly, which overcomes him, killing him. The general, place by Bruce Greenwood, contacts Virginia and asks for advice, especially in expert, Clyne, played by James Badge Dale. He is a skilled inventor of defence systems, especially the camera. He is sent to Moldava, explanations from the general, immediately going out on the expedition with his camera, a team of soldiers, some very sceptical.

There are encounters with many spectres, especially seen through the camera, and with devastating effect on overcoming the troops. Accompanying the group is a political and arms adviser, played by Emily Mortimer. The group finds two children, some explanation that the spectres can be warded off by iron filings and other scientific aspects.

A buildup to a final confrontation with the spectres, devastating killings of the soldiers, an escape by helicopter – and the scientist then speculating, rationally, on the possibilities of what they could be, decides, with the help of some theories by Einstein, that the scientists have been speculating on condensation is, and experimenting with human beings, to develop the spectres as a fighting force.

The climax is going to the town, finding the science complex and moral decision about terminating it.

1. Title, expectations, science fiction, futuristic, supernatural themes, the ghosts?
2. The opening in Virginia, Clyne and his work, vision? The action taking place in Moldova, the Civil War, the ruined city, the military headquarters, venturing out into the streets, the buildings, ruins, the spectral experiences? The musical score?
3. The plausibility of the plot? Supernatural beings, or ghosts between life and death? The technology for cover-disguise? The revelation of the scientific advances, success, failures, consequences?
4. Audience response to the soldiers, the initial experience with Davis, seeing the spectre, overcome, his death? The sequence repeated throughout the film?
5. The general, his concern, contacting Virginia, the discussions with Clyne, his work, his advances? His going to Moldava, the explanations by the general? Fran and her presence, observing, her military perspective?
6. The decision to go out into the streets, setting up the camera, the tanks, the camera showing up the spectral vision, the consequences for the soldiers, the many deaths, the many creatures?
7. The finding of the children, their father, ceramics, the iron filings as protection? The finding of the soldier hiding under the tub? Joining the squad?
8. The squad, the commanders, the various personalities, suspicions, the experience of the spectres, their being overcome, the many deaths?
9. Contact, losing contact, the possibility for a helicopter, getting to the landing, exposing themselves to the spectres? The help from the children? The little boy going out, his death? Fran, her scepticism, change of heart, becoming involved?
10. Clyne, his character, dedication to his work, the camera, his rational arguments, setting up the camera as the searchlight, highlighting the spectres?
11. The buildup to the climax, the escape to the helicopter pad, the helicopter, the rescue? The headquarters gone, meeting with the general?
12. Clyne, the background of Einstein, theories of condensation, going to the plant, the huge process, the many spectres, experiments, on human beings, kept alive, the issue of pain? Clyne and his decision to terminate the experiment? Fran wanting the new knowledge?
13. The blend of fantasy and reality, military, military developments, science and rational explanations?