Lifechanger

Lifechanger is one of those movies I randomly stumbled upon late one night on Netflix and it reminded me of my younger days when I'd randomly come upon some unknown film on TV or at the video store and it would pleasantly surprise me.

If you're looking for blood and guts or jump out of your seat moments, Lifechanger might not be your cup of tea. What Lifechanger offers is a thoughtful, moody meditation on life and love that I wasn't expecting. What would you do if, to survive, you had to change bodies every few days or so even if it meant killing that person?

Lifechanger reminds me more of a George Romero or David Cronenberg movie where you're never scared in the traditional sense, but there's that creeping sense of dread and sadness throughout.

The acting is excellent throughout and the film is beautifully shot, especially considering its budget. I say definitely check this one out.

McConnell's film places the main character in the role of both protagonist and antagonist. A shapeshifter, unsure of what it truly is, fighting emotionally against its own nature and drive to survive. Told in amplified conceptual storytelling, the film flows with a hint of melancholy juxtaposed against frantic horrific circumstances. It is all more "art film" than traditional horror.

The acting is top shelf, and there is a consistency in identity that is maintained in the many actors who all play the main character Drew. It is an exceptionally hard task to maintain, and a necessity to make a story of this unique nature work. Kudos to both the director and casting. A voice narration lapped over the film by the original Drew helps but had not McConnell's writing been so strong, the story could have easily become muddled.

The special effects are bone-cracking, visceral moments of practical, gooey delight. Unfortunately they are short-lived moments for most of the film , which moves pretty quickly. Perhaps if the pace were slower more time to enjoy the horror transformations could have been had, just saying. The pace also cripples the ability to really be vexed by the emotion and drama put forth in "Lifechanger". Still it is a good movie and definitely worth watching

Not as bad as many say...If you look at it from the philosophical point of view,the film asks ,in it's own way.questions,that makes life miserable for thinking people:Who am I?Why I'm here?Is it really me or a mask?What is love,if we are the ones always to destroy it anyway???Not a horror,more of a essay about meaning of life...Look at it that way and it is pretty clever film...I liked it.

I'm going to start with the positive: GREAT production values, WELL shot, WELL, lit, FANTASTIC special effect, acting performances were (meh...) hit and miss, but forgivable in most cases...

BUT THE SCRIPT -- Oh geez...not that great. As a matter of fact...kinda cringe-worthy. And the screenplay is the backbone of any film. If you don't have a solid script...DON'T MAKE THE MOVIE...(just yet, at least.)

The script felt uni-dimensional, not much substance other than the primary storyline following the shapeshifting body-jumper. Mostly dull during the entirety of Act 2. The movie would have been more interesting if there was a secondary plot line (maybe somebody following the shapeshifter who notices something strange going on?) This is what I get paid to do, so take it as free advice.

Even at the After Dark Film Festival premiere during the Q & A--I don't know if anybody else caught this--but the director ADMITS the screenplay was about a draft away from being perfect...like...HUH?! ARE YOU SERIOUS MAN?! Even if you think that (which I concur, you are correct...maybe even understating it a bit,) you DO NOT ever...under ANY circumstance ADMIT that to a sold-out theatre packed with people who paid to see your latest feature!

This is Canadian Film...unfortunately. Seems like so much potential is squandered because egos get in the way of good storytelling. (And that's not just an "opinion", that's empirical truth, otherwise there wouldn't be an acting/directing/producing talent brain drain heading to L.A. to make their dreams come true.) We cannot compete with Hollywood because it's like junior hockey competing with Pro NHLers. Story is everything. DO NOT compromise. Sorry Justin...I REALLY wanted to like your film but it sucks.

I enjoyed watching this flick. I did feel confused at some of the plot lines but that on the side this was a fun watch. The premise was simple but effective. I think it could of been produced a little differently to really ramp the motives but still it didn't deter too much from what was a creepy movie.