07-04-04 The Covenant (2006)

Seen: March 31, 2007
Format: Blu-Ray
Rating: 6

First, turn off your brain. Doesn't that feel nice? Now start the flick and practice your stupid grin.

The Covenant is simple, and that's not a bad thing. We have good guys, bad guys and guys not so sure. We have most of the seven deadly sins and their appropriate polar opposites. We have some stylized fantastical settings, thinly based on some vaguely documented historic events. It all seems a little hinky, but remember, you've turned your brain off, and simple things are best.

This is a comic-book film, directed by Renny Harlin. You remember him, Die Hard 2, Cutthroat Island, that guy. It's all about the tension, the action, the broad emotional strokes. And to be fair, it doesn't preted to have ambitions beyond that. The only thing that could be considered allegorical is the effect and ramifications of addiction, and even this is more a plot element than a theme. We're here for a thrill ride and that's what we get.

The reason that it all works, and it does work, is that it's consistent. The rules are simple and clearly defined. The characters play by the rules. The world runs by the rules. No matter how fantastic, as long as the rules govern, we can let our own reality go and live in this one for a while.

Characters are also simple, but not un-interesting. Chase, the bad guy, is probably the least well defined, maybe because his badness is all that's really important. There are some sterotypes here, but who really cares?

It's nicely sylized, an interesting mixture of old and new. It's generally dark, and the night scenes interestingly lit. Its generally pretty and slick, which works. The action is appropriate, not too over-the-top considering the subject matter. The effects are a bit bold, but generally fit the story without overwhelming it. There are a few simply great effects moments.

It's a simple good vs. evil, order vs. chaos flick. Characters redeem themselves, or not. Battles build and rage. The hot chick and the stud make out, but in PG-13 fashion.

Don't forget to turn your brain back on before you go to bed, or drive.

The Good: Witches with a conscience

The Bad: Addiction allegory get lost in the action

The Ugly: Spiders