For those wanting a less-heavy, popcorn home invasion film with its occasional thrilling moments, then “Home Invasion” may be your cup of tea.
TITLE: Home Invasion
YEAR OF FILM: 2015
DURATION: 88 Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation 1:78:1, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Portuguese, Thai and Spanish
RATED: PG-13 (Violence and Peril)
COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Released Dated: February 2, 2016
Directed by David Tennant
Written by Peter Sullivan
Produced by Jeff Sackman, Kirk Shaw
Executive Produced: Shawn Ashmore, Dave Hudakoc, Damian Lee, Jeffrey Schenck, Keith Shaw, Devi Singh
Music by Robert Smart
Cinematographer: Toby Gorman
Edited by Asim Nuraney
Casting by Dean E. Fronk
Production Design by Daren Luc Sasges
Costume Design by Zohra Shahalimi
Starring:
Natasha Henstridge as Chloe
Jason Patric as Mike
Scott Adkins as Heflin
Liam Dickinson as Jacob
Kyra Zagorsky as Victoria Knox
Michael rogers as Astor
Christian Tessier as Xander
Brenda Crichlow as Bess
Inspired by true events, A BRILLIANT YOUNG MIND tells the story of teenage math prodigy Nathan, who struggles when it comes to building relationships. In his confusing world, Nathan finds comfort in the predictability of numbers. But after earning a spot to compete in the prestigious International Math Olympiad, he faces new and unexpected challenges, ultimately triumphing in life and love.
From TV and documentary filmmaker David Tennant and writer Peter Sullivan (“Abandoned”, “Finders Keepers”, Eve’s Christmas”) comes an indie film “Home Invasion”.
“Home Invasion” will be released on DVD in February 2016 and stars Natasha Henstridge (“The Whole Nine Yards”, “Species”, “Ghost of Mars”), Jason Patric (“Speed 2: Cruise Control”, “The Lost Boys”, “Narc”) and Scott Adkins (“The Bourne Ultimatum”, “Undisputed 3: Redemption”, “The Expendables 2”).
The film begins immediately with a woman named Chloe (portrayed by Natasha Henstridge) enjoying an evening with her friend Alice. As someone drives up to the front of the home, the friend volunteers to find out what they need and she is shot to death. Chloe sees her friend being killed in the security camera and drops her wine glass.
The film then goes back hours early and we learn that Chloe and her stepson Jacob (portrayed by Liam Dickinson) live in a very nice mansion. She is trying to get access to her husbands bank accounts but having problems doing so. It is also revealed that she and Jacob have relationship issues.
Jacob blames his stepmother for their father not coming home moving them to a small farming town away from the city and Chloe can’t understand why her husband hasn’t returned home. Did he find another woman? Marital issues?
As both mother and stepson are constantly arguing back and forth with each other, a major storm is approaching their town. Chloe invites her friend over to help calm her nerves.
Meanwhile, an alarm security company and its employees are being trained by Mike (portrayed by Jason Patric) of what to say and not say on the phone with a client. Mike is a single father, trying to raise his young daughter and has been putting a lot of hours at work. Despite his boss telling him to get some rest, Mike is putting long hours.
We then see a criminal killing a toll bridge operator and a group of criminals headed by Heflin (portrayed by Scott Adkins) are choosing the mansion which Chloe and Jacob lives in and to break into the home. And with terrible weather, now is their opportunity.
The scene repeats with Chloe and Alice talking and Alice going up to the car as a woman named Knox (portrayed by Kyra Zagorsky) is asking for directions. As Alice answers the woman and heads back to the home, she is shot and killed.
As Chloe goes to call the police, she is not aware that it’s connecting to Knox, who is pretending to be a emergency dispatch operator.
Immediately, Chloe calls her home security company and the call immediately goes to professional Mike. Mike learns that the home has normal security cameras and also hidden security cameras.
As the criminals break into the home, they begin looking for a safe and also the occupants of the home.
As Mike tries to help Chloe and Jacob navigate themselves to safety. He must deal with his exhaustion but also his worries of keeping this family alive from criminals who may try to kill them.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Home Invasion” is presented in Anamorphic widescreen (1:78:1) and is presented in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai Dolby Digital 5.1.
Picture quality looks and sounds good as can be expected on DVD. There are moments of good surround usage during a gun exchange with the criminal and sheriffs plus ambiance of the storm in town.
Subtitles are in English, English SDH, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Portuguese, Thai and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Home Invasion” comes with no special features.
When it comes to home invasion films, there have been a good number of dark, violent films such as Michael Haneke’s “Funny Games”, Miguel Angel Vivas’ “Kidnapped” or the horrific “Inside” by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury.
There have also been riveting films such as David Fincher’s “Panic Room” which is an enjoyable thriller and there was Richard Loncraine’s “Firewall” starring Harrison Ford.
But home invasion films are aplenty and for some filmmakers to stray away from any signs of banality, they try to focus on horror and really messed up situations that will make you close your eyes.
And for some people, this is not their cup of tea. They want a suspenseful, yet non-horrific film and David Tennant’s “Home Invasion” is that kind of film.
“Home Invasion” in someway reminds me of a lighter version of “Panic Room” that is suspenseful but yet less risky and has the look and feel of a lower-budget indie film.
Acting is not the best, writing feels rushed, editing is questionable and “Home Invasion” has the feel of a movie that is geared for television.
But for those wanting a less-heavy, popcorn home invasion film with its occasional thrilling moments, then “Home Invasion” may be your cup of tea.
