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SYNOPSIS:
The only thing that Kelly Reyes (Keller) has ever thought
about was playing beach volleyball. Until one day when a mysterious
reporter named Holden (played by Brian Austin Green), comes
into her life and strange events start to happen to her, as
well as the people around her.
As
Kelly becomes skeptical of Holden, she must maintain focus
on what has always been essential to her and play beach volleyball
at her highest level. Is she being paranoid, or is there something
darker to this mystery man? This sexy and obsessive thriller
will keep you hoping for more.
MOVIE
REVIEW
Big screen ideas have a way of being regurgitated
for the small screen. And I have no qualms with it. The ride
may not be new, but at least it should be entertaining.
Unfortunately, Impact Point is not one such movie. Drawing
many parallels with what was arguably one of Tony Scott’s
lacklustre efforts The Fan, Impact Point takes one lukewarm
thriller and turns it even more tepid.
Much of this has to do with the script by Brett Merryman,
who can add this into his list of forgettable direct to DVD
releases, the likes of Bats: Human Harvest and Glass House
2. Though Impact Point counts as his third thriller so far,
Merryman has so far revealed no talent for the genre.
Just like his previous two movies, this is an entirely pedestrian
story right down to its heroine saves the day climax. Perhaps
acknowledging the threadbare nature of the script, the already
short 84-minute movie devotes an entire 10 minutes to the
finals of the AVP Championship Game, which does little to
advance the story.
To make things worse, the characters in Impact Point are just
as forgettable, especially Brian Austin Green’s stalker.
At least in The Fan, some attempt was made to explain the
motivations behind Wesley Snipes’ down and out salesman
turned obsessed fan. Unfortunately, Impact Point never allows
its audiences to understand why Green’s character is
so obsessed with Kelly. This is indeed the film’s largest
missed opportunity- to probe deeper into celebrity obsessions
and understand the psyche behind rabid fans.
With little challenge therefore, lead actor Green practically
sleepwalks through the role. Better known for playing Derek
Reese in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Green carries
a sufficient amount of menace to look convincing in the role.
But since the script gives little room for him to explore
his character, Green is practically forced to carry one expression
throughout the film.
The other actors fare no better. Melissa Keller, who plays
probably the meatiest character Kelly, does look good in tight
shorts and beachwear (which is her attire for more than half
the movie) but her dramatic acting skills are severely limited
especially in one hospital scene where her coach gets seriously
injured. Her co-star Kayla Ewell in fact does a better job
in the acting department, and with a longer list of credits
to boot, it puzzles me why the producers did not cast Ewell
in the lead role instead.
Perhaps the film’s only saving grace is its good production
values (well, at least by direct to DVD movie standards).
Taking advantage of the sunbathed setting, Impact Point does
boast some nicely shot scenery and neat editing.
Ultimately however for a film with such a title, audiences
will be expecting a little more action and much more suspense.
Little impact, and no point, Impact Point fails to deliver.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
There are two main featurettes included here. The
first, “Serve It Up: Training for Impact Point”
looks at how the film’s two stars, Melissa Keller and
Kayla Ewell, new to the sport of beach volleyball, prepared
themselves for their roles.
The second, “AVP: Pro Beach Volleyball Tour” is
basically a plug for the 25th anniversary of the AVP (Association
of Volleyball Professionals) and an introduction to the sporting
organisation which was first founded in 1983 by Leonard Armato.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
Presented
in five different languages, the film is available in Dolby
Digital 5.1 for its English, Spanish, Portuguese and Thai
language tracks and Dolby Surround for its French language
track. The 5.1 channel track is best experienced during the
volleyball game scenes in the movie.
The movie itself is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1).
Overall, a great visual transfer that compliments the film’s
golden sunbathed locales.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Gabriel Chong
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