Warning Sign

Hal Barwood directed this thriller that stars Sam Waterston as Utah sheriff Cal Morse, who is forced to deal with the accidental contamination that has occurred at a research facility dealing with toxins. The military arrives to control things, but the families of the employees trapped inside the sealed-off containment area want answers, and threaten to batter down the doors to rescue them, which would be most unwise, as the released toxin has turned them into psychotic killers, except Cal's pregnant girlfriend Joanie(played by Kathleen Quinlan). Cal and a scientist(played by Jeffrey De Munn) must infiltrate the facility, to find a cure... Marginal film at least doesn't go overboard into Zombie clichés(thank goodness!), but despite the fine cast, it just misses, becoming a bit too predictable and unimaginative, though is certainly watchable enough for what it is.

For the age of this film its decent. The plot is interesting, its just not executed very well. Most of the scientists are very unprofessional and the towns people don't seem to understand what quarantine means. Rather frustrating to watch but not entirely without its moments. If you've got nothing else to watch you could do worse.

A small community in Utah stands by in disbelief and fear. There is a leak at Biotek, supposedly an agriculture research lab. These germs, exposed to the air, forces the ultra secretive building to be sealed off. Citizens want their loved ones rescued; not knowing that some are infected and are dropping dead. But, lo and behold, the dead are rising as berserk zombies. They become just as lethal as the germs slowly filling the building. The local sheriff(Sam Waterston) really has a hard task at hand, because his girlfriend(Kathleen Quinlan)is in there with the infected. Not necessarily suspenseful, the horror is minor; but the Sci-Fi flourishes. No great shakes. Others in the cast: Yaphet Kotto, Jeffrey De Munn, Richard Dysart and G.W.Bailey.

Historically, many may not remember but this film was released at the time of Chernobyl nuclear accident in Russia. Life does not imitate art here but plays a close second. Although, the ending is not fully satisfying, the first reviewer Jack Sommersby fails to see some superb talents behind the camera. Visually, the lab sequences are very terrifying and well acted. Worth a second look. Mr Flick-2

Hal Barwood directed this thriller that stars Sam Waterston as Utah sheriff Cal Morse, who is forced to deal with the accidental contamination that has occurred at a research facility dealing with toxins. The military arrives to control things, but the families of the employees trapped inside the sealed-off containment area want answers, and threaten to batter down the doors to rescue them, which would be most unwise, as the released toxin has turned them into psychotic killers, except Cal's pregnant girlfriend Joanie(played by Kathleen Quinlan). Cal and a scientist(played by Jeffrey De Munn) must infiltrate the facility, to find a cure... Marginal film at least doesn't go overboard into Zombie clichés(thank goodness!), but despite the fine cast, it just misses, becoming a bit too predictable and unimaginative, though is certainly watchable enough for what it is.

I don't know if Zombie purists would call it a zombie film but this nice little picture stands the test of time to tonight's DVD viewing. I enjoyed almost all of it but the ending could have been better. The film makes some big comments on genetic engineering and the government/ corporation relationships regarding this. I would google this subject out and you will find some stories just as scary as this film! Some real scares there. I like how the film doesn't make me cringe like many sci-fi/horror films of the period but actually impressed me. A hidden gem. Highly competent film that sustains almost to the end. The film involves some zombie concepts but doesn't follow the formula quite like the other films in that genre. Great cast and the direction is restrained. The film stands the test of time so source it out.