Eve of Destruction 1998 Horror Movie Review

I disagree with those who see this film as a “Terminator” rip-off and thus trash it, but if they call it below-par I’ll go along with that. “Eve Of Destruction” has positive points, true, but they’re simply overwhelmed by major weaknesses.

Eve VIII is an android created to resemble her creator down to minute details—including the scientist’s memory. However, Eve VIII is a walking weapon that goes into combat mode shortly after being released into the public, which leads to the military calling in their antiterrorist specialist to track the android down. What follows is a path marked by several deaths, shoot-outs, a few hand-to-hands, and even a car chase!

“Eve Of Destruction” has a plotline that is clever: without giving it away, let me inform you that Eve VIII’s trail has a lot to do with her creator’s past. This movie has a sense of humor, too, although you might find the motel room scene to be the sadistic kind. The action scenes are handled well, especially when Eve VIII and Hines’ Colonel square off. We musn’t forget Renee Soutendijk, a stunning, leggy blonde who does well in her American film debut as the android’s creator.

Unfortunately this movie suffers from an overabundance of action and a lack of character. Take Colonel Jim, for example, played by Greg Hines. By the end we still don’t know anything about his past, his family, things that make us care about film characters. He doesn’t exactly play the military specialist in a very sympathetic way, either (watch how he deals with Doctor Eve!). She, on the other hand, does get scenes that show you some humanity, such as her reviewing her little boy’s anatomy lesson, which is funny. The flashbacks to her childhood also make us feel for her. More of these and less of the shoot-outs would have made “Eve Of Destruction” a solid film. As is, it’s a mildly entertaining action film.