Gifted director Emile Edwin Smith keeps the suspense high and the thrills intense in this superb science fiction film set in exotic Australian locales. The screenplay by H. Perry Horton is intelligent and sharp witted, pulling no punches as it questions the wisdom of modern science while confronting humanity's misguided efforts to control the earthly environment. The special effects are quite good indeed and some of the sweeping vistas of vast destruction are unrelentingly haunting. There are several moments when the graphic violence and mayhem is overwhelming and it becomes necessary to look away from what is horrifically depicted on screen. A superb cast brings depth and realism to their characters, with Elizabeth Rohm especially good as a woman fighting to save her family as well as mankind. The shattering climax, with helicopters and explosions that recall the iconic, surrealistic impact of Apocalypse Now, is simply unforgettable.
