This movie takes all the elements of the abduction/alien mythos-corn crops, damaged ship, Seti-and puts it together in a unique way. James Spader is a language professor-formerly with Seti-who is called by the government to go to Antarctica where they've found a spaceship frozen in the ice (a la THE THING). Once he gets to the base he finds out that one of the women scientists is a former girlfriend from way back (she was a student of his). The scientists are working on ways to genetically enhance corn-and there are these corn crops raised in these huge chambers beneath the ice. And then there's the ship, actually an escape pod, which seems to be emanating energy...Spader deciphers the alien language that the craft is broadcasting says 'Do Not Open', but it's too late. The hull is breached and a few people are fried from the blast. Then, half the scientists rapidly succumb to a flesh-eating type virus. It turns out that the aliens carry a virus deadly to all life on Earth. Spader and a few others seem to be immune-but they are still carriers. The U.S. government realizes this and orders the Antarctic base to be nuked.One of the scientists, though, has other ideas and wants to escape, but his escape means the death of EVERYTHING. So Spader goes to stop him from contaminating the surface. Then the Mothership of the aliens arrives....I liked this movie. It was different enough from other 'alien contact' movies, kept up its pace and Spader's character is interesting.
This movie takes all the elements of the abduction/alien mythos-corn crops, damaged ship, Seti-and puts it together in a unique way. James Spader is a language professor-formerly with Seti-who is called by the government to go to Antarctica where they've found a spaceship frozen in the ice (a la THE THING). Once he gets to the base he finds out that one of the women scientists is a former girlfriend from way back (she was a student of his). The scientists are working on ways to genetically enhance corn-and there are these corn crops raised in these huge chambers beneath the ice. And then there's the ship, actually an escape pod, which seems to be emanating energy...Spader deciphers the alien language that the craft is broadcasting says 'Do Not Open', but it's too late. The hull is breached and a few people are fried from the blast. Then, half the scientists rapidly succumb to a flesh-eating type virus. It turns out that the aliens carry a virus deadly to all life on Earth. Spader and a few others seem to be immune-but they are still carriers. The U.S. government realizes this and orders the Antarctic base to be nuked.One of the scientists, though, has other ideas and wants to escape, but his escape means the death of EVERYTHING. So Spader goes to stop him from contaminating the surface. Then the Mothership of the aliens arrives....I liked this movie. It was different enough from other 'alien contact' movies, kept up its pace and Spader's character is interesting.
