CHRYSALIS is one of the dullest science fiction movies I can imagine. This no-budget independent picture is based on a Ray Bradbury story, not so you'd know it. Now, speculative fiction is always good at dealing with ideas and the Big Picture, topics that never translate very well to the screen where the layout and execution is much different and where acting and characters come to the fore. An author can weave you into a magical world through the strength of his prose alone whereas a director's methods are much more limited.The execution in this film? Two guys in a dark room arguing while a third guy is strapped to a gurney and subject to various low rent FX work. That's your entire film. Sure, some of the themes explored by the debating characters are interesting, but they're also rather superficial and it's tiresome that the merciless scientist is another bad guy Brit. I think time may well prove that the source material for this film is pretty much unfilmable because certainly as a film this is a massive failure.

Smith finds himself the odd man out in one of the last research bunkers, manned by a team of three scientists, in a destroyed irradiated Earth. Searching for a way for plant life to flourish again in a dead and dying world, Smith finds himself mystically drawn to expose himself to the elements and walk about the surface. Thus begins the dystopian tale based on Ray Bradbury's story.I enjoyed the play of personalities, superstitious fear warring with scientific inquiry, and a cracking good SciFi story. The movie has a somewhat leisurely pace, and if you're looking for massive special effects you may be disappointed; however, if you're a fan of ideas and Gaea taking care of her own, then this it quite an entertaining little flick.

Finally got to see Chrysalis on demand this week and I have to say I was really pleased. I was hoping they wouldn't go and turn Bradbury's story about human evolution into another piece of post apocalyptic violent junk. I'm glad to report that wasn't the case. I didn't recognize any of the actors but Bradbury's dialogue and story keeps things very interesting. The movie features a series of Emergency broadcasts all throughout which are used to fill the characters (and the audience) in on what's happening in the rest of the world during this ecological crisis the movie presents. I think that's one of the most clever storytelling techniques in the film. I really enjoy how the story is told on two different fronts -- the main characters inside the research facility with their dilemma about the Chrysalis and the rest of the world suffering through the eco-crisis which we get to discover through the emergency broadcasts. Highly recommend it for fans of true hard sci-fi. Can't wait to get it on DVD. Would love to see some footage from the film festivals and Comic Con panels that Bradbury has participated on to promote the film.

I'm dying to see this again. Saw it earlier this year at the Sci-Fi fest in Boston amid dreadful films that don't even deserve to be in the science fiction genre (Alien Raiders, please...). The crowd at the event was more into the b schlock movies and was not the type of group that can appreciate cerebral science fiction. I was really upset that this was the only real SF film premiering at this year's event, but was totally satisfied by it. I have been telling friends about it ever since, wanting them to check it out but there's no date on when it will get a wide release.Unfortunately all the creature and gore movies get released and genuinely good stories that truly deserve to be seen, and that actually uphold the great science fiction literary tradition don't get the attention they deserve. somebody please put this film out!!!!