Storage 24 (2013)

I've been waiting a few years before watching this movie, because I wasn't sure I would like it. When they showed it on TV recently I picked it up and decided to give it a shot. I didn't find it entirely bad, but it's not a great movie either. Special effects aren't super good but because this is a rather low budget British sci-fi movie, I don't mind that. What I really enjoyed though and is worth mentioning, is the soundtrack! There are some scenes that are better due to the music!

Though this movie gets immediately into the plot, it moves rather leisurely after that. The first scene,very obviously a painting, shows this is London. There's nothing to set up the premise except that Storage 224 is somewhere on the outskirts, and a plane has crashed in the city cutting off power.Cue the ominous music.Once we get all the characters introduced and the dialogue out of the way, what action there is starts and it consists mostly of crawling through ducts into various units. There's a smart bit in which they break into another unit looking for weapons and find children's toys and the monster is distracted by an animated toy dog which barks and walks. The dog is used in another interesting way later on.There's a surprisingly lack of gore and the "monster" isn't particularly horrendous in comparison to some. We've seen those interlocking jaws many times before.This story's more about the character and ingenuity of those locked inside the building. It's well acted after the required introduction of the characters is done, and there are some familiar faces...Noel Clarke, who stars and produced, was in some Dr. Who seasons, Colin O'Donoghue has played "Captain Hook" on Once Upon a Time for several seasons.This is an enjoyable film which won't give you nightmares but might evoke a few discussions about some of the characters and scenes. Just don't expect "Alien" or "Predator" or anything of that grandiose ilk and you'll be fine.An entertaining movie which seems shorter than it actually is, and is fairly mild as this genre goes, it has the feel of a TV pilot or first episode of a series, kind of expository in nature, as if there should be more to come.

There seem to be far too many negatives immediately attached to a film just because it was made on a "low budget." It is as though costs alone represent the film's value. Today, very good movies can be made at remarkably low cost due to the broad availability of high quality HDV cameras, the lessened need for extensive lighting setups, reduced space for sets and equipment, and the ease of mobility from place to place. Additionally, skill bases such as Cinematographer, Camera Operator and Director can be combined into one person as can other skills. The result is a need for fewer crew members. There is an abundance of extremely good, easy to use, digital editing and special effects software one can use at home or office. The number of people who have gained film skills, from pre-production through post, is extraordinary. All this saves money. What is left is how well those film makers spent it and the end result.Storage 24 is an example of talented people doing just that. They've managed to make a suspenseful sci-fi thriller with some class. It is entertaining - and, in the end, isn't that what it's all about?Storage 24 has a good script by Noel Clarke, a capable Director in Johannes Roberts, and solid production values. The cinematography, by Tim Sidell, is commendable, as is the editing by Martin Brinkler. The dialogue, though not worthy of Shakespeare as some would demand, is believable. The acting is realistic and not over the top as in many films - Noel Clarke, Colin O'Donoghue and Ned Dennehy offer solid performances. The special effects are good while not saturating the film. The creature is… well, a very scary creature.All in all, this is a well made film, with an interesting story line. I recommend it… but lay aside any assumptions you may have about "low budget" films.

(11%) A bottom of the pile cheapo monster flick that somehow, for reasons beyond all logic, got a pretty wide UK cinematic release. This truly belongs within a cinema screening as much as a loose fully grown tiger belongs in a busy shopping centre. The plot here is lame and unoriginal, the monster/alien is largely an actual practical effect, not a badly formed CGI creature, but it's on screen far too little, as way too much of the focus is on the dull characters and their TV soap likened side-plot. This isn't good enough to be worth a look for anyone, but the fact that this ever saw the inside of a multiplex is borderline criminal.