Plot: What’s it about?
Sam Kane (Angus MacFadyen) lives a pretty normal, sometimes dull life, but all that is about to change. This process starts with the arrival of Crystal Ball (Natasha Henstridge), a beautiful woman who arouses all sorts of interest from Kane. Although much of her is a mystery to him, Kane is very taken with Crystal and soon becomes involved, but this ends when pieces of his darker past start to surface. As if this isn’t enough to put him on edge, Kane also learns that Crystal has some sort of secret also, but her recent memory problems leave it an unknown. The truth is that Crystal is a hired killer, who was sent to murder Kane, but all this is tossed aside now and the two work together to survive. As Kane and Crystal attempt to sort out all of the issues, they must keep ahead of other criminals, as well as the various twists and turns thrown into the path. Will the truth ever surface and if so, who will survive the intense race to uncover the hidden elements?
I think Second Skin has a terrific premise and it unfolds here well enough, but there’s something missing that keeps this from being a really good picture. I do think this is a good movie, but in the end, it just doesn’t rank as really good, although it comes close at times. Perhaps my low expectations figured in on how much I liked certain sequences, but I was pleased with most of the film, save a few poor scenes that sank the good parts down a shade. The storyline seems to remain consistent and though never brilliant, it never becomes dull in the least. The visuals seem to provide the real spark here however, from the beautiful nature landscapes to the above average cinematography, very solid work all around in the eye candy department. So with all these positive elements, what keeps Second Skin from greatness? As I said, the storyline is good, but it never really takes off and that holds back the picture more than a little. The same holds true for the acting here, as it is more than solid, but no real excellent performances surface. But this is still a more than worthwhile movie and as such, I recommend it as a rental to those interested.
I guess I am a real sucker, but I will see any movie that features Natasha Henstridge, just to see her in action. I know some of them don’t merit a look, but with Henstridge on the deck, I have to at least give them a chance. I have to admit though, her stunning good looks are not the only reason I check out her flicks, although I am sure that’s what you all assume. Of course, her beauty is a factor in the larger scheme, but I also like her performances, especially in lesser known features like Second Skin. A lot of name workers will sleepwalk through roles like this one, but Henstridge gives her roles all she has, which shows on screen. I know she is not the finest performer in the business, but she has won me over as a fan for life. Other films with Henstridge include Species, The Whole Nine Yards, Maximum Risk, Bounce, and A Better Way To Die. The cast of Second Skin also includes Angus MacFadyen (Braveheart, Cradle Will Rock), Liam Waite (Simpatico, Ghosts of Mars), Peter Fonda (Easy Rider, Escape From L.A.), and Norman Antsey (Jackie Chan’s Who Am I?).
Video: How does it look?
Second Skin is presented in a 1.77:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. I was very pleased with this presentation, as it looks very sharp and I detected no serious issues to discuss. The colors come across in bold form, but never too rich and flesh tones were natural as well. The contrast seems well balanced also, with dead on black levels and no visible detail loss to report. The source materials show a few small instances of debris, but not enough to be worried about, so the score won’t be lowered much. A very impressive presentation here, let’s hope Artisan continues this level of excellence in future releases.
Audio: How does it sound?
Although this disc uses a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, I didn’t detect much in terms of surround use, as this is a laid back mix in all respects. A few scenes allow the surround channels to open up, but on the whole, this is a dialogue driven, low key audio experience. The music sounds very good and although not immersive, it hits the right tones and reaches the desired ends. The main focus is the dialogue however, crisp and always easy to understand, with no issues in the least to complain about. This might not be an explosive mix, but it presents the material in a natural form, which is what matters in this case. This disc also includes a French language option, in case that better serves your needs.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes some basic talent files, as well as the film’s trailer.
