Try as I might, as much as I do dislike a lot of the SciFi/SyFy Channel original movies, I did actually want to like Phantom Force. Although the idea was somewhat derivative it did interest me in seeing it. But I just didn't like Phantom Force at all. It seemed as though it was striving to be a more gruesome and dramatic version of GhostBusters(though I acknowledge it may not have been), minus the sense of fun and great effects that film had. The set looks as though it was left over from something like Deep Shock and the whole film even for a film of the genre looks too drab with editing that is lacking in any kind of fluidity. The effects have been far worse since this film, but they are just alright here. But the visuals aren't the worst part. The worst asset despite the potential, was the story, dull in the pace and sometimes convoluted such as if the crew were eco-kinetic why couldn't they see the demons being I imagine in the same dimension as them? It also tries to make something out of the oft-done submarine scenario, but does it with no element of suspense, and the climax is underwhelming to say the least. Aside from the story, the script is terrible, cheesy and lifeless a lot of the time(the whole sitting down and chatting scenes are poorly written and slow the film down) and sometimes even incoherent with the overbearing sound effects and the actors mumbling the way through their lines. The characters, especially the crazy scientist character, are clichéd and despite efforts through flashbacks to give the characters some depth you just don't care for them. The actors also don't seem to do anything with their roles, Richard Grieco especially plods and mumbles his way through the lead role. Overall, had some potential but wasted it by how non-involving the whole film is. 1/10 Bethany Cox
