A New World Order   Starring: Stefan Ebel and Siri Nase Distributor: Reel 2 Reel Films RRP: £TBC R2R020 5 037899 084151 Certificate: 15 Release Date: 23 August 2021

In a dystopian future an on-going war is raging between mankind and the machines. Thomasz is a war deserter who has seen many of his compatriots wiped-out with little effort. Instead, he finds a remote abandoned house and sets up a forcefield around it, amidst nightmares of the past. When the barrier is compromised he fears it is by the machines; however, it is a young woman who wants to access the plans and electronics in the house. Initially untrusting of him, she renders Thomasz unconscious and bound, but Lilja is the survivor of a resistance group and drags him into her fight. To speak is to invite destruction, though it can also prove to be a useful diversion. Thomasz discovers a way in which he can make a difference in this war. But is it enough...?

This Reel 2 Reel Films DVD movie is the directorial debut of Daniel Raboldt. It employs elements of A Quiet Place, in that no one can speak without fear of death, as the machines appear to be attuned to the reception of speech and blast the area where it has been detected without hesitation. Of course, this aids a fledgling film, because there's next to no speech – and so no dialogue scripting and coaching, only movement direction. It is not really explained how the world came to this moment. There is a shot lasting mere moments which shows the recording of a news presentation featuring a newly created machine, so in this respect it borrows from Terminator and a little from Robocop and Transformers, too.

For some reason the film seems overly long; certainly the premise is a simple one and it takes its time showing us any meat on the bone, so to speak. There is a lot of wandering around with a gun, ducking under overhangs and behind trees, and walking great distances. The budget is plainly spent on the special effects of flying or walking machines of destruction – and very nice it looks – but the acting and machines seem clumsily separate, like a child playing soldiers in the playground and imagining an enemy monster. The setting is good. It was filmed beyond the arctic circle in Finland, and this aids the climax. However, the machine war is described as a worldwide disaster, so the conclusion of the film must only solve a local problem. Nevertheless, it’s of light interest and far from being the worst director debut I’ve seen. No Extras.

5

Ty Power