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5

TyranianMay 5, 2020

Somewhat intriguing premise but doesn't really do anything interesting with it.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

TheWaffleDec 31, 2016

A good, sci-fi war movie. It was entertaining throughout and had several moments that made me go "that was really cool". There are plenty of well-worn tropes in Spectral, but they're executed well. If you like movies like Dredd, Red Dawn, orA good, sci-fi war movie. It was entertaining throughout and had several moments that made me go "that was really cool". There are plenty of well-worn tropes in Spectral, but they're executed well. If you like movies like Dredd, Red Dawn, or Aliens, you'll probably enjoy this one too.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

juliankennedy23Mar 28, 2018

Spectral: Spectral is about American special forces fighting the remnants of government troops during a civil war in Moldova. During the battle, the special forces are attacked by what appears to be ghosts and call on a DARPA scientist (JamesSpectral: Spectral is about American special forces fighting the remnants of government troops during a civil war in Moldova. During the battle, the special forces are attacked by what appears to be ghosts and call on a DARPA scientist (James Badge Dale) to come investigate and help the US Army counteract this new threat.
The Good: Spectral pulls off a neat trick. It is a movie about science and technology and the hard-working scientists behind it. Despite all the hoo-rah action scenes, it is the thinking men that will get them out of this mess. The movie sets this tone well and keeps it throughout the film. The fact that it manages to do this without talking down to the audience too much is an amazing feat.
The solid acting across the board and a solid science fiction foundation are matched with a good pace and good action scenes. The film does manage some very nice set pieces with good practical effects mixed with the CGI.
The Bad: If one goes a looking there might be a plot hole or two. (You need a hundred laser cannons using brand new tech? I am going to need half an hour and some duct tape). In addition if while the film certainly uses science throughout I wouldn’t exactly quote some of those theories on Friday's physics exam.
Actual citizens of Moldova can also feel free to criticize the wrong city, wrong language and ridiculous description of your government.
In Conclusion: Though marketed as a Netflix original; Netflix actually picked Spectral up on the cheap from Universal/Legendary who was unhappy with all the science stuff and possible realized too late that Emily Mortimer is not going to open a summer blockbuster. That said one can certainly see the not inconsiderable budget on the screen.
How Universal shelved this film and opened The Mummy is a mystery for another day. Solid Sci-fi actioner with an elevator script sounding like a cross between Black Hawk Down and Aliens. A fun film that is better than one might suspect.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

RichardGonciJan 3, 2017

While much better than many films with similar plots (the CGI is top notch) Spectral suffers from an inherent problem of this "genre," to wit, if the enemy is categorically "soulless," for whatever reason, they are categorically lessWhile much better than many films with similar plots (the CGI is top notch) Spectral suffers from an inherent problem of this "genre," to wit, if the enemy is categorically "soulless," for whatever reason, they are categorically less interesting as an enemy. Same problem I have with puerile "Zombie Apocalypse" movies. I want my protagonists battling antagonists who are evil incarnate... and, to be that, you have to have free will and a soul... even a very dark one.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

TryASummersaultDec 13, 2016

For a netflix original film, this was a solid effort with some really innovative ideas. An interesting action/paranormal/scifi with great effects and awesome visuals. While in the end it's essentially a syfy original with better effects andFor a netflix original film, this was a solid effort with some really innovative ideas. An interesting action/paranormal/scifi with great effects and awesome visuals. While in the end it's essentially a syfy original with better effects and acting, it was worth watching.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

Truth_of_PiscesMar 1, 2018

Cool concept, but it doesn't quite execute it an innovative or interesting way. The characters are rather cut and dry and don't have a lot of depth, but they service the story(what little there is) sufficiently. The special effects are theCool concept, but it doesn't quite execute it an innovative or interesting way. The characters are rather cut and dry and don't have a lot of depth, but they service the story(what little there is) sufficiently. The special effects are the only real high point of this film. Watching it, it honestly feels like it would have made a better video game than a film.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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10

WiseForeignerMar 31, 2019

I'm giving it a 10/10 for the willingness to tackle a different sci-fi topic, which is so hard in an age where sci-fi is cluttered with established franchises long past their expiration date. I hope they keep going.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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10

RennoDec 12, 2016

Starts slowly but slowly becomes frenetic in action and special effects. The subject gives for a second movie, I got lost in the explanation of how this energy matter is created.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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3

EraldDec 13, 2016

I don't understand how anybody is talking about this being a copycat of Final Fantasy: The Movie. Same premise with a weaker execution.

Some nice visuals and better-than-average acting for a TV-Movie, that's all.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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4

shoulderoforionDec 17, 2016

nah, it gets minor ups for the special effects but overall the story was trite, the reaches far, and the overall experience wishing i had those two hours back

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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3

andrewhannemanDec 12, 2016

This movie had a very interesting concept, but it wasn't able to pull it off. Once I started watching it I was very interested, but throughout watching the film I felt that it fell into a lot of cliches. I just feel like there was a lot ofThis movie had a very interesting concept, but it wasn't able to pull it off. Once I started watching it I was very interested, but throughout watching the film I felt that it fell into a lot of cliches. I just feel like there was a lot of wasted potential, because the idea behind the movie is interesting, but it falls short and just turns into another average action movie.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

hyrulewaspDec 24, 2016

Pretty OK scifi with some interesting ideas that are only scratched and sometimes implemented badly. Nice CG effects. It should probably have been better as a mini series

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

PipotipoJan 13, 2017

Mal... Mala película... El concepto es muy interesante, la trama puede ser impresionante, pero se desarrolló de manera simple, intuitiva y lo peor que puede tener una película: OBVIA. Uno se imagina el final, es predecible qué va a pasar conMal... Mala película... El concepto es muy interesante, la trama puede ser impresionante, pero se desarrolló de manera simple, intuitiva y lo peor que puede tener una película: OBVIA. Uno se imagina el final, es predecible qué va a pasar con los personajes, las batallas no generan nada... Triste porque podría ser TREMENDA película y es una mala.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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6

DukeJonMar 26, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An ok supernatual/action flick. Decent performances but nobody really stands out. Starts off as a ghosthunting movie. Initially we don't know what the "ghosts" are and the tension is ramped up nicely until first contact. Then it turns into a kind of action movie reminiscent of "Aliens". with a small squad of jarheads being led by two scientists types (I was expecting a romance between the two scientists but it doesn't happen). There's a part in the plot which let everything down imho. The lead scientist suddenly figures everything out; what the "ghosts" are and how to defeat them. Then he takes a few crates of random equipment and within a single montage he has designed and built enough plasma rifles and advanced power armour to equip a small army. It really is quite ridiculous. We then have the climactic battle scene. CGI is top notch and some of the scenes were quite thrilling, but the fact that none of the leads really stand out and we lack a main antagonist (the "ghosts" are only partially explained) leaves everything feeling a little flat. Decent effort but don't expect to be blown away like you're watching "Aliens" for the first time.… Expand