Descent (2005)

When the Ring of Fire starts heating up with an unprecedented amount of volcanic activity a team of scientists are gathered to prevent a global catastrophe.

Director:

Terry Cunningham

Writer:

Michael Konyves (as Michael Murphy)

Stars:

Luke Perry, Natalie Brown, Michael Dorn

Cast

Cast overview:
Luke Perry	...	Dr. Jake Rollins
Natalie Brown	...	Jen
Michael Dorn	...	General Fielding
Rick Roberts	...	Dr. Palmer Drake
Marie Ward	...	Dr. Karen West
Mimi Kuzyk	...	Marsha Crawford
Michael Teigen	...	Black
Mike Realba	...	Decker
Adam Frost	...	Captain Hayward
James Downing	...	Major McEwan
Jefferson Brown	...	Seth
Martin Roach	...	Man in Black
J.C. Kenny	...	News Reporter

Storyline

When the Ring of Fire starts heating up with an unprecedented amount of volcanic activity a team of scientists are gathered to prevent a global catastrophe. But one of the scientists realizes early on that the cause of volcanic reactions is most likely due to a secret government operation investigating alternative energy resources from deep within the Earth's mantel. So even though the mission is designed to save the planet, someone has to make sure the government's involvement remains a secret.

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Plot Keywords:

time bomb | scientist | fire | ring of fire | exploding body | 

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Taglines:

Go Deep!

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for disaster action, some sensuality and mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Sci-Fi Channel

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Descenso

Filming Locations:

Dundas, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinetel Films, Premiere Bobine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min (Ontario)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the final scene, Marsha Crawford says to the reporter, "It's time the public learn of the causes of these natural phenomenon." The plural of phenomenon is phenomena. Her character has a scientific background and should know this.

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Quotes

Dr. Jake Rollins: You guys ready to do your thing?
[i.e. place a 4000 megaton nuclear bomb]
Major McEwan: Tell us where you want it; we'll set the activation.
Dr. Jake Rollins: I've uploaded the Spartan coordinates. The placement has to be pretty precise.

User Reviews

Not A homage to Jules Verne

The SciFi Channel's 2005 movie "Descent" is a weak to fair reworking of the old "journey to the center of the earth" plot.

The movie appears to suffer from the classic failings of a SciFi Channel made for TV movie. Sets are limited and one gets redundant views of actors at sparse consoles intermixed with low budget animation of the vessel called "the mole." There is some action and some intrigue, but the movie gets a bit redundant with just three main sets (mole, cave, and control room) and the actors who try to twist the uninspired dialog into something entertaining.

Luke Perry does a good job as Dr. Jake Rollins, but Michael Dorn ( aka Warf from Star Trek) appears one dimensional with General Fielding's stilted dialog.

This might seem like another homage to Jules Verne's piece of classic of nineteenth century French literature "Journey to the Center of the Earth;" it is not. For that watch the 1959 classic "Journey to the Center of the Earth" with Pat Boone and James Mason. The "Descent" is another "tunnel digging vessel heading to the center of the earth movie." If you like this sci-fi theme try episode # 1.2 from "The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne" titled "Queen Victoria and the Giant Mole." If you desire the big budget modern special effects, there is 2003's "The Core" with Hilary Swank. These choices may entertain and stimulate your imagination more.

However if you love science fiction, have nothing else to watch, and want to rest your brain; "Descent" will suffice.