By Jamie Ruby
End of the World, Syfy's newest original disaster movie, premieres tomorrow night. The film is somewhat different from the usual fair. Many of the Syfy Saturday originals are campy, whether they are meant to be or not, but this one is different. It's the ultimate disaster movie to end all disaster movies, almost a spoof of the genre, if you will. And it's really funny, paying homage to science fiction and disaster movie fans everywhere.
The film revolves around two such fan boys, played by Neil Grayston and Greg Grunberg, who work at a video store. Their world is turned upside down when their small town becomes a disaster of its own, with plasma rain that causes power surges and reduces people to ash.
The two must use their knowledge of disaster movies (along with great quotes and references) to save the world from obliteration. This also involves breaking a mental patient (Brad Dourif) out of the hospital to help them (all why fawning over his genius).
Sometimes I am a fan of parody or spoof films, though not always; it depends how well they're made. This one manages to come out as not just a spoof but an actual disaster film, therefore is not just empty laughs. The movie references are abound and really entertaining – including a reference to the "actor from
Heroes," which was my favorite line.
The cast is fantastically funny and work well together. Syfy fans will be happy to see
Eureka's Grayston again and fans will recognize Grunberg as Matt Parkman from
Heroes.
Many know Dourif as the voice of Chucky from the
Child's Play franchise, or from one of a myriad of film roles or guest spots on series such as
The X-Files or
Once Upon a Time.
Surprisingly the effects were also pretty great considering the budget the movie was made on. They were well spent on the weather effects.
All in all, it's a delightfully funny and fun movie to watch Saturday night, especially if you are a fan of science fiction or disaster movies. I definitely recommend you tune in.