The Convenant
The trailers got me intrigued and this weekend I decided to head to the
cinema to see "The Convenant. Overall, I feel like I could have stayed home
and waited for the TV show spin-off.
The story is about four teenage boys who are decendents of powerful witches
once sought by local townfolk. Believing they are the only ones left,
things start to heat up when unexplained events occur and they discover the
fifth bloodline may not have disappeared after all.
In short, I felt like I was watching a Tv pilot. The intro to the film was
basically a cheap knock-off of the intro to the show Charmed. I have rarely
seen a movie intro that 'advertised' the movie. When they do convert it
into a TV show, at least they can just keep the same intro. The rest of the
movie also had the film, acting and story quality of a TV show. I know I am
harping on this one, but it is really how I felt. The story didn't lend
itself to warrant a movie. It could have been told in 1 hour, with
commercial breaks. The special effects were alright but I have seen better
on Charmed (which is a fantastic show if you haven't seen it). The acting
was typical 'we are young, hot and teenage girls want us so we are cuter
than we act.'
I am not saying the movie was a total bust. I was entertained and I have
seen worse. However, it was so obvious, to me at least, that they were
simply trying to gain a following so they could start up a show in the Fall
or Winter, that I felt like I paid $8 for a TV pilot and that will never
make me happy.
To discuss how it could be better I would have to say start by making a movie, not a pilot. Then, focus on really developing the story and
characters more. They had the 'blond punk kid' who was the wild one. The
first half of the movie you spent wondering 'What will he do now?' but then
they just dropped him completely. He never did anything. There was so much
unfulfilled that it seemed like a waste. But again, in the TV show I am
sure he will have a bigger role.
Overall, I feel I need to give this movie two grades. As a 'movie' it gets
a C. As a potential TV show it gets a B+.
I would give The Covenant a grade breakdown as follows:
Story: B. Overall the story wasn't the problem, the follow through was
where this movie failed.
Acting: B. Again, the actors were chosen more for their looks than theirtalents. Something that appeals to young, teenage girls but me at 31, I
need a little (not much) substance.
Visuals: C. They were about TV quality. Alright but not great. The
trailers showed the best bits. The fight scenes left a lot to be desired. Masters of evil and the best they had was special 'water balls' that they
threw back and forth at each other?! Please, take a page from Yoda and
Gandalf and shake things up a bit.
Originality/Innovation: C. Same basic 'decendents of evil now must suffer
for the past of their ancestors' plot idea that I have seen a ton of times. Nothing new really.
Enjoyability grade: B-. I didn't fall asleep but I wouldn't rush to watch
it again, recommend it highly nor rent it. May check that TV show I so
anxiously anticipate coming out now though, that may be worth checking out.
Overal grade: Again, C for a movie. B+ for a TV show.
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