The Sender

source: The Sender

Moviecut—The Sender

The Sender

Granted, this isn't the greatest sci-fi film ever made, but it's not the worst, either. Yes, the plot is derivative, but how often do you see an original plot these days? Sure, it's not an excuse, but in a small picture like this it all works out. The weakest thing about this movie is that the whole "wow" in characters' reactions to the aliens is missing. However, I like the warm feeling this relatively low-budget flick gives you, and the action scenes are not bad at all.

OK...so we're not talking Zanuck here. No Oscars, Golden Globes.....it will never be shown at Cannes. But, it's a fun movie with little budget and a lot of heart. There's just enough pathos to make it involving, and enough action to make it absorbing. I don't know...maybe I just go for the cheap movies that help me pass a couple of hours every now and then. CERTAINLY is worth a rental, and is NOT a waste of time! (7/10)

THE SENDER is a cheesy and unintentionally funny late '90s sci-fi thriller, clearly made to tap into the success of THE X-FILES around that time. Hell, it even has Steven Williams ('Mr. X' from the show) present, complete with ridiculously dyed white hair. Sadly this is a goofy messy of a movie, only worth watching to laugh at. Michael Madsen continues a trend of appearing in cheap B-movie action flicks and gives what can only be termed a wooden performance. There are some surprising faces in support, including Robert Vaughn and R. Lee Ermey, but it's no surprise that the characters they're playing are so stereotyped. THE SENDER adopts an action template throughout, with lots of senseless shoot-outs and some ridiculous vehicle chases to enjoy. Also, you can play 'spot Madsen's stuntman' throughout. Worst of all is the female alien, who turns up wearing a silver lame dress and glitter wig. At this point, you just know you're not going to be able to take this film seriously anymore.

This has got to be the worst I have ever seen. It should have been named "The Cliche". How they could cram so much bottom level stupid stuff from every movie ever made is beyond belief. If it weren't played so straight it would have been great camp. Robert Vaughn is 68 and shows it. Dyan Cannon even is beginning to look her age. Seeing them reduce themselves to this garbage is worse that watching Michael Jordan trying to turn back time.

This was an intriguing movie from PM Entertainment. I personally like Michael Madsen. He has that comical way of looking at someone sideways like the doggies in commercials when a human does something stupid. I also really like R.Lee Emory. This guy is your resident slickster/quasi-military hardass/part-time mercenary (just like the part he played in "On Deadly Ground). He's always hard-core and looks crazy. Plot was derivative (as other viewers pointed out), but the chases and scenes inside the alien spacecraft were not bad at all. Especially for a flick of this type. The actress portraying the alien was very pretty. Seen her before but don't remember where. Stephen Williams was over the top, with his white hair and eyebrows. Another viewer commented that no one seemed freaked out over the alien presence. A valid point that dilutes the story a bit. Especialy Madsen. And that's what makes him a Grade A "Straight To cable" guy! Just too cool!

This film is typical of what the Americans seem to like - to their shame. Lots of car chases, a very high body count and leading characters possessing an immunity to machine gun bullets whilst making every shot from their handguns hit its target. Also I believe that automatic pistols do need reloading before firing 100 shots. The plot was OK but there were many loopholes. The only thing making this film worth watching is Shelli Lether who is very easy on the eye. Glamour is one thing that the Yanks do well but how many times have we seen immune heroes like Rambo dodging multiple machine gun fire with no damage! 1/10(for Shelli Lether)

Granted, this isn't the greatest sci-fi film ever made, but it's not the worst, either. Yes, the plot is derivative, but how often do you see an original plot these days? Sure, it's not an excuse, but in a small picture like this it all works out. The weakest thing about this movie is that the whole "wow" in characters' reactions to the aliens is missing. However, I like the warm feeling this relatively low-budget flick gives you, and the action scenes are not bad at all. 8/10