Update 1/8/05:  After I posted this review I learned that there were production problems with the first batch of DVDs.  So all references to the poor sound quality should be taken with a grain of salt as they say.  I am working on getting a new DVD with the correct sound mix and I'll update this review and add my thoughts on the extras at that time.

MS

"A Killer Within" is a straight up whodunit murder mystery with some new age twists.  Directed by Brad Keller, it stars C. Thomas Howell, Sean Young, Dedee Pfeifer, Giancarlo Esposito and "Farscape" star Ben Browder.  The copy I received and will be reviewing is a special edition created for Farscape fans as a way of promoting the film.    In this first section I will review the film itself and the DVD presentation.  In the second section I will give you my take on the extras.  So, on with the show.

I'll start with the DVD presentation of the film first.  The video quality is really good especially considering how quickly this edition was put together and without big studio money to back it.  The audio quality however is another story.  The soundtrack and score sounded complete but the mix could have been better.  There are points throughout the film where the dialogue volume drops significantly and the music overpowers it.  Then in the next scene it's back to normal.  This isn't a huge problem but it was enough of a distraction that I noticed it and it took me out of the film until I got used to it.  I will say that this is most noticable in the first half of the movie before the action picks up.

The Film

Now the film itself was really really good.  The casting was perfect in each of the main parts with the exception of the kid.  In his few speaking scenes it looked like he was waiting for his cue to say his next lines.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I thought the kid looked the part and had the budget been a little bigger they probably could've gotten a more seasoned actor.  But the kid doesn't have many lines and really does a decent job.  C. Thomas Howell as Addison gives a broad performance and his range is really showcased here.  Everything from joy and playfulness to sorrow and rage.  Sean Young is absolutely perfect in a role that could easily be played over the top and manages to make the character believable.  Dedee Pfeifer is so loving and caring in her performance that you can't help but feel for her.  Ben Browder sheds a whole new light on his skill as an actor with a character that is far from Farscape's John Crichton.  There are some similiarities but Sam is clearly a different character in a different situation.  He's the perfect best friend and really makes you wish he was your best friend too.  Giancarlo Esposito shows up relatively late in the film compared to the others and he plays the character of Vargas with an ease that makes it look like he's been preparing for this role his whole life.  The other smaller parts were done very well including the lead detective assigned to the investigation.  I really didn't like that character and we aren't supposed to and that works.

The story starts off in a kind of weird "indy" film sorta way but once the characters are established the story takes off.  Like I said earlier, it's a murder mystery with some suspense and a few twists thrown in for fun.  I figured out pretty early on what one of the twists would be but I was pleasantly surprised when they threw me a couple more after what I thought was the big reveal.  I would have liked a little more character development scenes at the beginning, but the performances and dialogue fill you in on who these people are and where they are in their lives.  The story moves very well with the suspense and action balanced fairly well with the character moments although I would have liked to have a few more of those character moments because they were that good.  The ending is rather ubrupt but it fits with the tone and pacing of the film and to be honest I think it works.  There are plenty of twists to keep people guessing and after I figured out the first there were still a couple more that caught me off guard and I like that in a movie.  It let's you think you've figured things out and then yanks the carpet out from under you.  In this way, I think Farscape fans will enjoy the movie.  The music seemed a little off with the tone especially at the beginning but started to flow better as the story moved along.  There was a least one piece that I recognized and even though normally I don't like existing music in a film, this piece worked.  The cinematography was great and the locations looked good.  For an independent movie you can see that a lot of the money is on the screen.

All in all, for an indy movie "A Killer Within" is a fun ride and definitely not your typical small film.  Brad Keller and the crew put in a lot of work and the cast poured there hearts into their roles.  Ben's part isn't as large as I'd expected but the character works and I think any more would have ruined it because I found myself cherishing those "Ben" moments even more because he wasn't in every scene.  I really hope this film gets a distributor because it needs to be seen.  If you get a chance, check it out.  You won't be disappointed.

Extras

Coming soon!