by John W. Paulus

Created on: March 10, 2008

Roland Emmerich's 10,000 BC was a movie with great potential that seemed to waste it all. All of the elements of a great movie were present in 10,000 BC: stunning visual effects, an amazing storyline that touches on many of the archetypical dramatic subtypes, talented actors and a well-written score.

Unfortunately, some of these elements were executed so poorly that 10,000 BC will soon either be a long-forgotten memory or the butt of many jokes.

If 10,000 BC proves anything, it proves that special effects can only do so much for a movie. The CGI was amazing in 10,000 BC, from the believable wooly mammoths to the realistic pyramids. The cinematography was excellent overall with very few camera missteps. While the cinematography didn't push any envelopes, there was nothing there to distract from the movie either.

Stars Steven Strait (D'Leh), Camilla Belle (Evolet) and Cliff Curtis (Tic'Tic) executed their roles in an admirable fashion, as did the rest of the cast. Still, it was difficult to establish any emotional connection with the characters. In fact, the one character that I connected with most (Lu'kibu, I believe, played by young Joel Fry) was on screen for less than four minutes. Typically, this is the sign of a weak script, and this would seem to be the case with 10,000 BC.

Where 10,000 BC really falls short is in the execution of its plot. There is tremendous potential for this story on many levels. The progressions of human culture, from hunter-gatherers to farmers to sea-dwelling pyramid builders, are an awesome concept, and could have been the basis for a classic. 10,000 BC, however, takes the concept and glosses it over most of the time. At other times, 10,000 BC tramples this concept by mixing cultural elements with no explanation whatsoever.

The same holds true for the idea of the supernatural and of prophecy in 10,000 BC. Early in the film, we are told how the Old Mother has mystical and visionary powers, and we are even party to one of her visions. Yet, for the remainder of the film, every supernatural event seems to have a natural cause. 10,000 BC would have done well to accept the fantasy elements, to deny them, or to approach them with an agnostic skepticism. Instead, 10,000 just seems confused to be confused about its own fantasy elements. If nothing else, you keep waiting to seen how the three major prophecies connect one to another; at the end of the movie, you are still waiting.

10,000 BC would probably be an enjoyable film if it weren't for the constant thought of, "Gosh, this could be an awesome film if they just..." This film just comes off as a shallow attempt to tell an amazing story with pretty pictures.

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