Guardian (2001)

User Rating:

3.8/10   

Director:

John Terlesky

Writers:

Jeff Yagher (written by) &
Gary J. Tunnicliffe (written by) ...

Release Date:

22 September 2001 (South Korea)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

With a spate of violence that rocks the inner city, L.A.P.D. and ex-Marine John Kross investigates its cause: a new drug called Chaos...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Supernatural | Demon | Black American Soldier | Murder

Cast

Mario Van Peebles	...	Detective Kross
James Remar	...	Detective Carpenter
Stacy Oversier	...	Selene
Daniel Hugh Kelly	...	Agent Taylor
Ice-T	...	Max
Karina Lombard	...	Katherine Kross
Michael Chinyamurindi	...	Dr. Jacob Netanyel
Phyllis Lyons	...	Susannah Lichtmann
Nancy La Scala	...	Cassie
Dey Young	...	Lt. Van Buren
J.R. Cacia	...	Merckx (as Joseph R. Cacia)
Steve Zad	...	David Lichtmann
Marshall Manesh	...	Iraqi Colonel
Douglas Weston	...	Hopkins
Iqbal Theba	...	Dr. Tuchman

Runtime:

89 min | Germany:92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:15 | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 (video premiere) | USA:R | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Like a good book!

I just saw this on the WB, and I can see why the previous comments weren't favorable. "Guardian" (2000) is put together like any of a number of books I've read over the years; important information is handed out at the beginning, then the story/action distracts and pulls the viewer or reader into another scenario, then the two are blended and brought to an end that refers back to the beginning info. I think the reason the end isn't fulfilling to some is that they aren't catching the hint given part way through the movie: "She'll take good care of him". And some perfectly good innocents get zapped along the way, which is a bummer. But that's all I'll say about that stuff.

As for comparing "Guardian" to "Fallen", well, I think the movies have only one element in common, and I disliked "Fallen" so much it sits on my shelf collecting dust.

Relatively formulaic, "Guardian" (2000) starts with an archaeologist digging up something he shouldn't, then the world as we know it is in danger unless a very human "chosen one" succeeds in saving the day. Mix that up with some modern cops-against-drugs scenes, a mysterious new drug, a couple protectors of a god's prophet-to-be, some supernatural goings on, and you have yourself a pretty good movie with several main characters portrayed by people you'll recognize even if you don't know their names. On the down side, if you don't read a lot, or if you read only non-fiction, you might not be able to follow the story.

I thought the effects were great in that nothing was *obviously* computer-assisted, and the movie contained a healthy mix of stunts and other effects opportunities for variety. I didn't get bored at all. By the way, the "Matrix" reference made by another user is half correct; the woman's coat makes me think of "The Matrix" but the woman's stunts (IMO) are better compared to Alice's of "Resident Evil" fame, and very well done at that.

I can recommend "Guardian" (2000) to anyone who might like the mix of detective story with supernatural and hero elements. And I'd like to mention that I didn't see anything I would call Sci-Fi; I'd label this Action/Supernatural/Thriller, or just a Supernatural Thriller.