Event Horizon (1997)
Event Horizon is a curious movie hybrid, mixing plot elements from classic sci-fi and horror genres. It has been labelled “Hellraiser in Space” by some lazy critics, although I think there's far more to it than that. Perhaps a more apt description would be a Gothic horror story set in space. The movie has garnered a cult reputation since its release in 1997, mainly due to its graphic imagery and troubled production history. It does indeed have some quite shocking sequences but the lightning editing does not show as much as some would think. Paramount forced director Paul W S Anderson to reduce the original one hundred and thirty minute running time down to a more manageable ninety, after unfavourable test screenings. Much of the violence was allegedly removed as a result of that process. Sadly nothing survives of the removed material other than a VHS workprint. Hence a restored director’s cut is therefore unlikely.
Event Horizon is an experimental spaceship which went missing on its maiden voyage. When the ship mysteriously reappears in orbit above Neptune, a rescue mission is launched by the authorities. The ship's designer Dr. Weir (Sam Neil) is assigned to the rescue vessel Lewis and Clark, commanded by Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne). The crew consists of Lieutenant Starck (Joely Richardson), pilot Smith (Sean Pertwee), Medical Technician Peters (Kathleen Quinlan), Engineer Ensign Justin (Jack Noseworthy), Rescue Technician Cooper (Richard T. Jones), and Trauma Doctor D.J. (Jason Isaacs). Upon arrival they find that the Event Horizon is empty and the crew dead or missing. The ship's last transmission contains human screams and a cryptic message in Latin. Subsequently the rescue party starts experiencing horrific hallucinations along with a growing sense that unease.
There are many positive aspects to Event Horizon. The cast of character actors are more than competent and the production values are very high. The sets are opulent and the production design conveys the required hi-tech aesthetic. The visual effects have not dated too much although some of the CGI is a little primitive. The prosthetics and animatronics are exceedingly good (and unpleasant). Bob Keen and his creative team were involved in the production although much of their work unfortunately didn't make it into the theatrical version. The movie also manages to maintain a disquieting atmosphere, punctuated by some effective jumps. Sadly the screenplay lurches from the good to the bad and is somewhat inconsistent. The denouement does succeed in explaining the evil entity that is linked to the ship but I would have preferred some further insight. However these narrative inconsistencies may be due to the last minute re-edit that took place prior to release.
However despite these issues, Event Horizon is sustained by its ambition, tone and grotesque visuals. Director Paul W S Anderson has produced a tense and atmospheric blend of genres, despite the studio's interference in post-production. The mixing of advanced technology with Hieronymus Bosch style visions of Hell are quite compelling. Certainly the movie deserves more critical praise than it gained upon release in 1997. It’s a shame that a restored cut of the film is off the table. It would be most interesting to see the gaps in the narrative filled, as well as the visual effects restored to their full glory. Clive Barker managed to achieve a comparable restoration of his movie Nightbreed, which was similarly “butchered” upon release. However, unless the missing material can be miraculously sourced from elsewhere, the theatrical edition of Event Horizon will remain the only version available.
