To the viewer this 4 hours of entertainment almost seems like two movies because of the spectacular revelations that occur in the second half, providing two layers of understanding of the events, like Russian dolls hidden within one another.
Initially the viewer is treated to a relatively down to earth story where a journalist who has lost his wife and daughter in a plane crash tries to uncover the truth behind the tantalising indications that his loved ones have survived, beyond all reasonable hope. The dark secrets behind the event are revealed later in the story, explaining the brutal deaths occurring to anyone who is close to the heart of the matter, and the truth of the stories of surviving the unsurvivable. The way the themes of the second half of the movie were developed justifies my high rating. I should declare these are sci-fi themes that are close to my heart as someone who, like many others, has at many times in my life had experiences of telepathy, and would dearly love to believe in the healing power of the mind. Of course the villains of this movie are exaggerated, but that makes us all the more keen to see them get their just deserts in the end. I am reminded of "the Net" another movie that is successful in getting the viewer involved with the central character and invested in the final outcome.
To those who commented negatively on this movie, based on reasons such as having short attention span or not liking Billy Zane's hair (no kidding), I imagine you have never found a wild bird staggering around close to death, picked it up in your hand and breathed warmth into it, and then seen it fly away full of energy. (Yes, I have). To anyone who would like to do so, I recommend this movie.
Initially the viewer is treated to a relatively down to earth story where a journalist who has lost his wife and daughter in a plane crash tries to uncover the truth behind the tantalising indications that his loved ones have survived, beyond all reasonable hope. The dark secrets behind the event are revealed later in the story, explaining the brutal deaths occurring to anyone who is close to the heart of the matter, and the truth of the stories of surviving the unsurvivable. The way the themes of the second half of the movie were developed justifies my high rating. I should declare these are sci-fi themes that are close to my heart as someone who, like many others, has at many times in my life had experiences of telepathy, and would dearly love to believe in the healing power of the mind. Of course the villains of this movie are exaggerated, but that makes us all the more keen to see them get their just deserts in the end. I am reminded of "the Net" another movie that is successful in getting the viewer involved with the central character and invested in the final outcome.
To those who commented negatively on this movie, based on reasons such as having short attention span or not liking Billy Zane's hair (no kidding), I imagine you have never found a wild bird staggering around close to death, picked it up in your hand and breathed warmth into it, and then seen it fly away full of energy. (Yes, I have). To anyone who would like to do so, I recommend this movie.