Habitat (1997)

User Rating:

4.5/10   

Director:

Rene Daalder

Writer:

Rene Daalder (writer)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Fantasy

Tagline:

It'll Grow On You!

Plot:

In a future world where Earth's ozone layer has been completely destroyed, a brilliant but obsessed scientist...

Plot Keywords:

Switchblade | Male Nudity | Female Nudity | Skinny Dipping | High School Romance

Cast

Balthazar Getty	...	Andreas Symes
Tchéky Karyo	...	Hank Symes
Alice Krige	...	Clarissa Symes
Kenneth Welsh	...	Coach Marlowe
Laura Harris	...	Deborah Marlowe
Brad Austin	...	Blaine
Christopher Heyerdahl	...	Eric Thornton (as Chris Heyerdahl)
Kristen Holden-Ried	...	Daryl (as Kris Holdenried)
Daniel Pilon	...	Strickland
Lynne Adams	...	Tara Fisher
Susan Almgren	...	Ellen Bark
Amanda Blitz	...	Chris
Gouchy Boy	...	Soldier #2
Daniel Gautier	...	Soldier #3
Terri Hanauer	...	Myra Johnson

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, language and some violence/gore.

Runtime:

USA:103 min (Cinémathèque Québécoise print) | Canada:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

Canada | Netherlands

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Germany:16 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | USA:R

Company:

August Entertainment

Trivia:

This is the only theatrical movie filmed in Sony's early analog High Definition format. Sony donated the equipment and technical support in an attempt to popularize the format. The High Definition video was then transferred to film for release.

Quotes:

Coach Marlowe: You ever heard of hygiene? Even animals lick themselves clean! I spend a lot of time with my boys in the shower, and I teach them that even body odour isn't just smell: it's bacteria, it's germs.

Soundtrack:

Tradedy

Takes a familiar set-up and develops it in a truly offbeat way.

Fairly intense sci-fi horror with a touch of teen angst. It's set in a world of the future in which the ozone layer has disappeared and moving about during the day is a dangerous proposition for people. Young Andreas (Balthazar Getty) is tired of the lifestyle to which his odd duck parents, Hank (Tcheky Karyo) and Clarissa (Alice Krige) adhere; Hank's a scientist with crazy ideas about "accelerated evolution" and has an accident that turns their home into a living, breathing, rain forest environment with vegetation, bogs, and every kind of biological kitchen sink imaginable.

Naturally, in their new neighborhood, some of the supporting characters are ignorant, mean, brutish stereotypes (Andreas's classmates as well as his domineering coach, played to the hateful hilt by the excellent veteran Canadian character actor Kenneth Welsh) who dislike the new kid without wanting to give him so much as one chance. And their attitudes are only enforced when they encounter Clarissa and enter their house of wonders.

An interesting effort for Rene Daalder, responsible for the 70's cult favorite "Massacre at Central High", "Habitat" espouses far from subtle messages about Mother Nature striking back with a vengeance, and about how it's all for the best when individuals can be at one with her. The movie's art, photography, and special effects departments go all out in their creation of an indoors rain forest; it's simply amazing to look at. Of course, it's true that it's got its share of gross out moments as well, so caution is advised for some viewers.

The fanciful story is rather intriguing and moves along very well, with some poignant moments along the way. The performances are generally good, with enticing young Laura Harris (who would go on to appear in the major production "The Faculty") an appealing standout as Andreas's love interest Deborah.

Sometimes it's just too drippy but overall is worth a look for curious viewers.

7/10