Ambition is high and quality low in Rebecca Matthews’ sci-fi actioner Reign of Chaos, a film that could have been a tight 30-minute short – perhaps even shorter – but instead is a flabby concoction of random exposition and awkwardness.
A tiresome opening narration explains that the god Chaos has taken over the Earth transforming its inhabitants into rabid savages through a plague which spreads zombie-like from victim to victim. Only three female warriors descended from the goddess Nike can save humanity.
Proportion Productions are in the business of churning out low-budget films quicker than Marvel can release the next superhero origin story. And there’s a strong argument against both of those things. Here, we have the ingredients for an interesting story; an apocalyptic thriller focusing on a diminishing resistance who upset the odds. It’s an age-old tale. But everything feels cobbled together, as if there was a meeting on a Monday morning, everyone has a couple of days free, so what should we do? Some bright spark mentions that unfinished script that’s kicking around and off we go: Reign of Chaos is the result.
To fill out that script we have a training montage that is only slightly less convincing than external shots of a world in apparent chaos, but which looks like a quiet Sunday morning in middle-class suburbia. Everything is so neat and tidy. Perhaps these savages tidy up after themselves?
That ambition must be applauded, and everyone involved seems competent enough. But perhaps less is more? Take a couple of productions off the schedule and really focus on getting the remainder right. It would be better for everyone.
Reign of Chaos is on digital in the US
