Understanding that The Wheel is a low - budget, Australian made variant on The Universal Soldier type theme, which kind of succeeds in spite of obvious production drawbacks, may assist potential viewers in deciding whether to watch it or not.
On the downside, it's one of those increasingly common films, that are just terribly lit from the somewhat irrelevant prologue, which doesn't involve the major characters, to the more interesting ending. The film is clearly designed to appeal to a martial arts type audience, but lead actor Jackson Gallagher, whose dramatic performance is quite competent, is no Van Damme fighting skills or charisma - wise. On top of this, many of the action scenes, leaving aside the murky lighting, are filmed in close - up, with choppy editing.
On the plus side Gallagher, does develop a certain chemistry with female lead Kendal Rae, in the second half of the film, where circumstances, see their characters, thrown together. I notice others in this forum have been quick to criticise Rae, but its her performance as disbarred medico, Dr Alison Turner, that really makes The Wheel for me. She is able to realistically transition from creepy experimental, out there scientist, early in the film, to a woman seemingly regaining large doses of humanity, in the third act, which also includes a couple of perhaps unexpected, storyline twists which enhanced the predictable super - soldier narrative for me.
David Arquette is "the regulation name Hollywood actor", in a supporting role, to purely try to attract North American audiences to this independent feature. But the acting heavy lifting is done (and achieved IMO), by the 2 younger leads.
The Wheel is nothing spectacular, but I'm always interested in seeing how well these low budget sci - fi types succeed in creating their stories, derivative or not. In my view, The Wheel, which optimistically, sets up the ground for a sequel, that will likely never happen, gives itself a fair old nudge in the right direction.
On the downside, it's one of those increasingly common films, that are just terribly lit from the somewhat irrelevant prologue, which doesn't involve the major characters, to the more interesting ending. The film is clearly designed to appeal to a martial arts type audience, but lead actor Jackson Gallagher, whose dramatic performance is quite competent, is no Van Damme fighting skills or charisma - wise. On top of this, many of the action scenes, leaving aside the murky lighting, are filmed in close - up, with choppy editing.
On the plus side Gallagher, does develop a certain chemistry with female lead Kendal Rae, in the second half of the film, where circumstances, see their characters, thrown together. I notice others in this forum have been quick to criticise Rae, but its her performance as disbarred medico, Dr Alison Turner, that really makes The Wheel for me. She is able to realistically transition from creepy experimental, out there scientist, early in the film, to a woman seemingly regaining large doses of humanity, in the third act, which also includes a couple of perhaps unexpected, storyline twists which enhanced the predictable super - soldier narrative for me.
David Arquette is "the regulation name Hollywood actor", in a supporting role, to purely try to attract North American audiences to this independent feature. But the acting heavy lifting is done (and achieved IMO), by the 2 younger leads.
The Wheel is nothing spectacular, but I'm always interested in seeing how well these low budget sci - fi types succeed in creating their stories, derivative or not. In my view, The Wheel, which optimistically, sets up the ground for a sequel, that will likely never happen, gives itself a fair old nudge in the right direction.