Alone in the Dark (2005) is another special effects laden film based on a video game, helmed by Uwe Boll (regarded by many as one of the world's worst directors). The film is based on the video game Alone in the Dark series of videogames started in 1992. One interesting note is that the film is supposed to mirror the storyline of Alone in the Dark 5 aka Alone in the Dark: Near Death Investigation but Eden games decided at the last minute to completely rework the game, including the plot, which makes the film version appear to deviate completely from the storylines of the games. However it was the game developer who changed the story at the last minute, not the filmmakers.
The primary weapon of the Bureau 713's commandos is the M4 Carbine, outfitted with RIS rails, a flashlight and laser, usually fitted with an Elcan sight on the receiver's flat top and a "Zeno" tracker on the foreward grip top rail. This Blinking LED "Zeno Tracker" is actually a Zircon Stud Finder!
Set up like 'smart guns' from films like Aliens and Congo the miniguns are set to fire at anything moving within 50 feet (since past 50 feet are another barrier and past that are the trip wire mines). Unfortunately, the Zeno creatures phase in and out of our dimension so they're hard to hit.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingSeen in a closeup during the museum battle, this is a 2nd unit shot of a hand firing a Beretta Inox. Unfortunately it is intercut with a sequence of Aline Cedrac (Tara Reid) firing her Glock, so it is a continuity break.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCmdr. Richard Burke (Stephen Dorff) uses the Stainless Steel Beretta Inox as his primary sidearm.
Calico M-951A Automatic Rifle
Mixed in with the M4 Carbines of the Bureau 713 commandos are a number of Calico M-951A Full auto rifles (not the 955A since these rifles have full length barrels). These 951A rifles are outfitted with M900S Full buttstocks (an easy swap out). They have Calico style scope mounts and short optical scopes as well as Flashlights, foregrips and the same custom IR designator as seen on the M4 Carbines.
For a bad Owe Boll film, the battle between Bureau 713 commandos and the Zenos is pretty good. The Special effects are nice, though the editing is schizophrenic. Too much speed metal rock music and 'shaky cam' editing, but there are good gore effects and the Zeno monsters are an example of good CGI (in comparison to the cheap CGI seen so often on movies 'made for the Sci Fi Channel').
Error creating thumbnail: File missingA Reptilian "Zeno Warrior" attacks the perimeter and shrugs off tons of automatic weapons fire from Bureau 713 commandos.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA Reptilian "Zeno Warrior" takes a bite out of a hapless 713 Commando. The CGI effects were quite good and high end, despite weak points in the plot, the script, the direction, the editing, ......
