(SPECIAL NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)
In past quarter of century or so world has been bombarded by apocalyptic predictions about the effects of ozone layer depletion and global warming. Those predictions were taken quite seriously by authors of Habitat, 1997 science fiction drama film written and directed by Rene Daalder. The plot is set in not too distant future, when climate changes create variety of inconveniences for the mankind. Hank Symes (played by Tcheky Karyo) is a brilliant, albeit slightly eccentric, scientist who steals sensitive bio-material from government's lab and, together with family, escapes to small town surrounded by desert. Symes there starts experiments aimed at creating new life forms. One of those experiments would have unexpected consequences - Symes gets transformed into some kind of higher biological entity while the interior Symes' home turns into lush forest, much to the delight of Clarissa (played by Alice Krige), Symes' plant-loving wife. In the meantime, their son Andreas (played by Balthazar Getty) experiences problems in high school that usually revolve around tyrannical coach Marlowe (played by Kenneth Welsh). Those problems would become even more complicated when he begins noticing Marlowe's beautiful daughter Deborah (played by Laura Harris).
Habitat is one of many examples of path to hell being paved with the best intentions. In this case, Rene Daalder's intention was to warn audience about the ways in which nature can retaliate for mankind's abuse of this planet's resources and neglect of the environment. Unfortunately, good intentions weren't enough. Habitat lacked many things, including budget. While some special effects are impressive, it isn't hard to notice that the entire film was shot in studio. The impression is hardly improved by lame dialogue and atrocious acting, especially in the case of Kenneth Welsh as villain. Tcheky Karyo and Alice Krige, on the other hand, seem much more relaxed in their roles and provide film with few really entertaining moments. Few of them could match Laura Harris' skinny-dipping, which also happens to be the saddest scene in the film, at least for the more observing audience. After that it becomes clear that Habitat is going to be remembered for the wrong reasons.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.film.reviews on February 13rd 2004)
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