Writer: Cammy Zulkifli

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Watch this if you liked: The "Alien" movies, "Resident Evil" movies

It is easy to defile "Doomsday" as another amateur action/sci-fi flick with its B-grade cast of virtual unknowns and an almost predictable plot based on its synopsis. However, "Doomsday" is a surprising product that features a tightly wrapped storyline and a remarkable line-up, although it has its own forgivable quirks.

"Doomsday" begins in 2008 when the infectious and deadly Reaper virus breaks out in areas of Europe, which threatens mankind. In the first 10 minutes, we see a mother and child trying to escape the quarantine which has been cast on the country, but when the chaos escalates, she hands her child to the safety of army personnel while she stays behind to face the atrocities of the outbreak and in the long run, her imminent death.

30 years later, we learn that the child has grown up to be Major Eden Sinclair (Rhona Mitra), a silent but deadly soldier who is one of the military's best. Thinking she could put her traumatic childhood behind her underneath her cold disposition, Eden is thrust back into the same ordeal when the virus begins to reappear in London.

Having found what seemed like immunised survivors in the containment zone, a group of military soldiers and scientists are sent into the death trap. Eden is to find a certain Dr. Marcus Kane and acquire the cure to the virus, and is assigned a group of experts to lead.

The atmosphere throughout the film is reminiscent of the "Alien" movies while maintaining a pace very close to "Resident Evil" which throws lots of action. Once Eden's team reaches the virus' hot zone, the story becomes segmented as they come across two distinct groups of survivors - one consisting of new age street punk-like characters led by a deranged rock star leader named Sol (Craig Conway); and the other goes medieval (literally) by hiding in the mountains among the castle ruins of Scotland, led by none other than Dr. Kane as their 'ruler'.

The concept may seem awkward at first but it isn't impossible to comprehend. It actually gives a 'yin-and-yang' effect to what would've been a bland action sci-fi flick. This film also has some of the most interesting violence I have ever seen - one notable scene being a guy's head getting ripped off from his body, flying across an explosion and then splattering onto the camera.

Rhona Mitra, in her most surprising performance yet, is capable of making other perennial heroines like Lara Croft from "Tomb Raider" or even Alice from "Resident Evil" bite dust. Although modelled quite closely after Charlize Theron's Aeon Flux (they have the same hairstyle and almost similar outfit), Mitra makes Eden one realistically tough cookie, who possesses strong leadership qualities that disregard the fact that she is female. This film could put Mitra right next to other action-friendly names like Angelina Jolie or Michelle Rodriguez.

Aside from the censored language, "Doomsday" is thrilling, suspense-filled as well as sentimental when it has to be. Beyond her stone-cold facade that comes with being a staunch soldier, Eden isn't without her vulnerabilities. The film is exciting from start to finish with no breaks in between. It keeps you interested, and the music and sound effects add to the experience. Aesthetically, the film comes across as a B-grade movie but the fulfilling effects, performances and competent dialogue outweigh that one con.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008