Terminal Error (2002)

User Rating:

4.2/10   

Director:

John Murlowski

Writer (WGA):

T.L. Petrie (written by)

Release Date:

26 April 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Powerful automation software begins to make decisions for itself. |

Plot Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence | Technology | Human Versus Computer

Cast

Matthew Ewald	...	Dylan Weston
Marina Sirtis	...	Alex
Michael Nouri	...	Brad Weston
David Wells	...	Russ
Timothy Busfield	...	Elliott Nesher
Robert Casey	...	Pilot
Audrey Wasilewski	...	Kathy
Robert Covarrubias	...	Kenny
Rick Cramer	...	Detective Lavin
David Storrs	...	Student
Kim Delgado	...	Deputy Mayor
Jane Yamamoto	...	Miriam
Scott Clifton	...	Jock
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jason Tatum	...	Plant Engineer

Also Known As:

Peace Virus

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence and peril.

Runtime:

UK:90 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant - 6100 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

PorchLight Entertainment

Goofs:

Factual errors: A computer monitor bursts into flames in the room Brad is trapped in which is filled with Halon. As explained in the movie, Halon is a fire suppressant that displaces oxygen, making such a fire impossible.

At least the title is accurate

Marina Sirtis should fire her agent for getting her in this. Her talent is thoroughly wasted here.

Machines-gone-berserk story that builds upon a goofy premise. This time, a computer virus is downloaded into a sensitive program, in a manner beyond the sublimely ridiculous. The perpetrator of this nasty scheme is a psychotic guy who giggles like a baboon and sweats from his forehead a lot. He's an irate employee who got fired, and his unwitting accomplice is the teen-angst-ridden crybaby son of the guy that did the firing.

Once downloaded, the virus blows up things in Russia, takes over appliances, shoots rockets at cars, plays with traffic signals, talks too much, and does a pitiful impression of Hal 9000 from "2001."

The kid, the dad, the psycho, and Hal 9000 Jr., all get on your nerves pretty early on. There is one character, apparently based on Stephen Hawking, who had the potential to be interesting, but the film does not give him much screen time, nor does it develop the character enough. Marina (as teen-angst's mother) really tries, but she is given very little to do, other than scream or run in terror.

If you turn your brain off for 90 minutes, and just want a good laugh, the film is OK for that. However, if you're looking for a plausible story, this one is just a terminal error.