adrian-36091 It is interesting what can be achieved when the Halmi (Jnr and Snr) bring together an incredible cast, and writers that are not restricted by the standard movie format. You have a story that is well formed, where the writers have time to bring together the elements of the story.I once heard an interview with one of the Halmi(s), and he said that the cast he assembles has a chance to portray their characters to the fullest, and you made a Hallmark/Halmi film not for the money but for the experience of storytelling.Final Days of Planet earth is like that, its about story telling and having the time and screen space to bring the elements of the story together without having to strictly adhere to movie studio time lines and creative restrictions.In the end, I don't really know if you can say this is good movie science fiction, or bad movie science fiction, but I can say it is good story telling.

thinker1691 Writer Christian Ford and director Robert Lieberman took on the task of crafting this Science fiction film to fit the Television screen. Although it's slow to catch your attention, it soon has one really interested. The layout story concerns a Archeology professor William Phillips (Campbell Scott) who is engrossed with an interesting ancient find, found near the city proper. Things at the dig become curious when one of his students disappears while searching there. However, other strange occurrence began mounting when the police abruptly close off the dig and then seal it with loads of concrete. Pursuing the incident further, Phillips is warned then ordered to stay away from the dig site altogether. Continuing the matter up with city officials they give him the big stall. He becomes doubly curious when one city clerk offers him a special note to a certain 'Room 86.' He is then steered further away from the dig by a high ranking commissioner of the Police and a helpful city employee named Liz Quinlan (Daryl Hannah). However, other queer events add to his ongoing mystery when citizens of various occupations began disappearing after visiting Room 86. The movie begins to escalate when other strange events start to mount. Bird watchers began noticing that birds have cease their chirping, criminals and homeless vagabonds vanish for no reason at all and the police become criminally uncooperative to the point of being unresponsive and brutal. Taken as a whole the movie should be listed as a 'B' picture, but then slowly evolves into a worthwhile effort. So much so, that unusual features add to it's story with a higher star rating than it began. The acting is convincing, so too the dialog and then finally the special effects crowns the finished product. As such I recommend this feature to anyone interested in a good picture gone great. ****

wes-connors After what appears to be a minor mishap, digging for samples on the Moon, "Pericles" space mission leader Campbell Scott (as William "Billy" Phillips) arranges to return safely to home planet Earth. While Mr. Scott sleeps, a "security breach" begins dismembering his crew. Only Scott and female passenger Daryl Hannah (as Elizabeth "Liz" Quinlan) escape to Earth. There, Scott mysteriously disappears and Ms. Hannah goes to work at San Francisco's City Hall.Also on the ground, archaeologist Gil Bellows (as Lloyd Walker) explains his work to some grade kids on a field trip, "When you dig a hole, you travel back in time," he states. Shapely exterminator Suleka "Sue" Mathew (as Marianne) is upset with the graphic nature of Mr. Bellows' tour speech, which scares her nephew. That night, one of Bellows' young workers, Ryan McDonell (as Jonathan Gillis), is swallowed into the earth after a prank. And, he's not the only one…Underground city workers are mysteriously vanishing; but, the "accidents" and disappearances are all being swept under the rug. This irks Bellows (he turns out to be the lead actor in this science-fiction drama, which weaves its various characters interestingly into the storyline). He is contacted by stealthy John Cassini (as Jake Roth), and the men begin piecing together a terrifying conspiracy, including a possible alien invasion, which could lead to the "Final Days of Planet Earth"!"There's only one puzzle here, okay Walker?" Mr. Cassini advises Bellows, "Until you put your pieces on the table, it's not gonna get finished." Not sure who to trust, Bellows begins to investigate some slimy, green-bleeding blobs hidden in San Francisco's underground. He enlists the help of former astronaut Hannah (remember her from the opening Moon mission). Hannah, who is working with city commissioner Serge Houde (as Korshaft), warns "Careful where you dig." Meanwhile, used car salesman Patrick Gilmore (as Spence) is having trouble collecting unemployment, after getting laid off; immigrants Tygh Runyan (as Nick) and Tina Milo (as Bella) worry about her husband, who is among the missing; and, homeless shelter worker Beau Starr (as Oliver), still mourning the passing of his wife Amanda, notices something unusual in the woods. They, and most of the other characters in the drama, are directed to "Room 86" for assistance...Enter "Room 86" at your own risk! - but don't avoid "Final Days of Planet Earth" like the plague of long, lackluster TV movie extravaganzas it gets lumped with. It is too long, and unravels much during the first half of the second part; but, this is surprisingly above average "Hallmark" television production. The story, by Christian Ford and Roger Soffer nicely updates paranoid 1950s thrillers, like "Them!" (1954). Director Rob Lieberman and star Bellows keep it moving.But, San Francisco? Have the filmmakers ever been there?****** Final Days of Planet Earth (3/15-16/06) Robert Lieberman ~ Gil Bellows, Daryl Hannah, Suleka Mathew, Campbell Scott

lordzaphodb I just watched this on an Internet movie site. I'll admit that I enjoyed this. I'm a big fan of the old B monster/sci-fi movies from the 50's and 60's like Taranshula, Godzilla, The Flying Brain, Ants, etc, etc, et all. Either on purpose or by accident, this movie was a nice homage to them. Daryl Hannah turned in a convincing performance as the queen alien buggie. My fav line of her's was, "With incompetence like I've seen, I'd almost rather mate with a human." *LOL* The rest of the cast turned in good performances as well. The movie does drone on a bit, and could have been whittled down to one movie (instead of a 2 part mini-series). But all in all, I found it entertaining. I give it 7 out of 10.