Ghost Machine (2009)

Just what I expected

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Firstly, for a totally Independent and VERY Low-Budget film, they did a great job in putting it together. If you are the kind of person who likes these kinds of films, say like Full Moon's 'ARCADE' (which this one is FAR more polished) or 'THE LAWNMOWER MAN' (although this one here is WAAAAAAAY simpler and cost about 1% as much) then you should find this entertaining.The point is, is the film made well with what they had? Is the acting decent? Is the script and direction okay? If so, then you have a decent, entertaining film that does PRECISELY what it is supposed to do. I really liked the way it ended too; nice touch...If you like these kinds of films and you go in realizing that this is just a VERY simple Low-Budget Sci Fi Thriller, and you are NOT expecting ultra-realism and as I am always saying, if you have a good imagination and can easily suspend disbelief, and you don't mind a few Phantastical elements thrown in, then you should enjoy it. Believe me... there are TONS of horrible, lousy, and EXTREMELY Painful Sci fi / Horror films out there (just check out the Syfy channel. Or better yet, DON'T... :)Definitely a strong '6'...

When a group of military advisers sneak into an abandoned prison to test an experimental virtual reality combat simulator, they find a vengeful ghost has infiltrated the software looking for revenge and must stop it before they become victims of its wrath.This was a pretty enjoyable effort that has some pretty decent things about it and a lot more than would be expected for such a film. The atmosphere here is incredibly well-done, using an abandoned prison which is filled with disused equipment, dust-covered surfaces and long, dark hallways which are nicely done to maximize the creepy factor, and once the ghost gets involved it's got a lot more to like about it there. The back-story here and generally original feel of the plot make for a good time, and the film never really lags so it's got some pretty decent action to keep it interesting. The main problem here is the film's rather tame kills, which while dished out in the virtual world allow the CGI gore to be truthful and realistic, aren't used for the main characters at all and leave their deaths feeling rather shallow. The other problem here is the final half, which is totally out-of-place, missing a lot of the impact they should've had considering storyline developments and really missing what could've been a great punch to what's going on, mainly through the writing which leaves motives totally lifeless, shallow and the ending as a whole pretty weak. Otherwise, this one wasn't all that bad.Rated R: Graphic Language and Graphic Violence.

If it weren't for the language and gore, this would look just like your typical SyFy channel movie of the week. The plot (described elsewhere on this site) is hackneyed and uninspired. The ending is particularly predictable.Don't get me wrong, the film is at least competent, it's just that the producers didn't have the talent, budget, or script to produce anything impressive.Adding to the distaste is the political slant of the director and writer(s). You know...all noncommissioned officers are sex perverts and sadists, acting openly to molest female enlisted personnel and torture prisoners to death; each female soldier is worth ten male soldiers due to her commitment to having to "prove" herself throughout her military career; and the government routinely captures and tortures female terrorists, which would be a bad thing even if they are in fact murderous bitches, but it might be a good thing, too....who knows? What it boils down to for me is that this film is made with some skill, but I never cared about what was happening to the characters. This is in direct opposition to some other films that are made rather poorly, but which have compelling characters and a decent story.Choose this one if you don't bore easily.

i think I've made it plain that I found Ghost Machine to be as stock and uninspired as its title, but about a half an hour in, there are some cool death scenes. I was encouraged, thinking maybe the film would rally and keep up a good pace. Unfortunately, that was not the case.If you have seen Doom, Stay Alive, Death Row, Gamer, etc., etc., ad nauseam, you have seen Ghost Machine. There are some cringe-inducing moments of violence, I'll give it that. And Rachel Taylor makes the movie watchable for awhile, but even she can't save it from the murky camera work, hackneyed storyline, and gawdawful CGI. (as my friend stacilayne told me its a simple waste of time indeed.)