aka: Blutgletscher, The Station
Dir: Marvin Kren
The Alpine research base Glazius is comprised of three scientists, the drunk technician Janek (Gerhard Liebmann) and his dog Tinni. Their mission is to study how global warming / climate change is affecting the Alps and it's obvious to them that it isn't as cold and the snow isn't as deep as it has been in the past. What they don't yet know is what lies buried beneath the melting snow.
When an instrument substation stops communication with the main base, hung over Janek and his canine companion trek out to it with one of the egg heads in tow. A startling discovery is made at the glacier; it's seeping a blood like liquid. Tinni runs into a cave by the blood glacier to investigate and when Janek follows they are both attacked by a twisted, horrific creature. Janek, rightly so, is concerned about the events of the day but scientists being scientists are compelled to seek out answers. Retrieving a sample from the glacier they discover it contains an organism never before seen. An organism that can take on the properties of other creatures it encounters. Excited by their discovery and a visit by Minister Bodicek (Brigeitte Kren from RAMMBOCK), the scientists ignore the warning signs of impending danger and Janek's concerns.
The writing and directing team from the nicely done German zombie film RAMMBOCK re-team for this eco horror / B movie monster film. The cold and snowy location trapping a group while they are laid siege to by the unknown forces of nature reminded me of John Carpenter's THE THING and Larry Fessenden's THE LAST WINTER. The monster on the loose aspect reminded me of, well, every other monster on the loose film. Other than the Minister being competent and helping the situation (unlike politicians in American monster films) there isn't anything new here. The writing and direction are competent but I never felt a sense of dread or scared while watching.
**1/2 out of ****
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