THE SIGNAL is an interesting experiment. It is split up into three transmissions (each by a different director). Directors David Bruckner, Jacob Gentry, and Dan Bush came up with an effective low budget horror film. The only part that doesn't entirely work within the framework is the middle transmission that descends into satire as you wonder what is happening to the character of Mya (who isn't shown in reality and yet in the twisted perceptions of each person who is effected by The Signal). If THE SIGNAL didn't descend into satire for a long stretch, THE SIGNAL could have been a classic on the same level as 28 DAYS LATER and EVIL DEAD. The first transmission (directed by David Bruckner) kick starts THE SIGNAL and it is the strongest part of the film until the third transmission (the last third of THE SIGNAL) which is almost as good. The budget limited what they could do, but I wish they played the film on a bigger canvas instead of mostly having it in closed and small spaces for most of THE SIGNAL.

THE SIGNAL starts with a mysterious transmission that jams all forms of communication on New Year's Eve in the city of Terminus. It effects the minds of all who listen or watch it for too long. It preys on their desires and fears as it tricks you into seeing things differently as it drives each person to murder and madness. Mya is having an affair and is afraid to leave her husband Lewis. Her husband and her boyfriend, Ben, are both changed by the Signal. Lewis is out to kill anyone who he thinks is going to harm or keep him away from Mya. Mya sees the madness and murder. She decides to split to meet her boyfriend at terminal 13 at the airport. Ben goes looking for her. The above story is something that could have carried a strong film without all the detours that THE SIGNAL takes in the middle transmission. THE SIGNAL covers different POVs in a Rashamon style. It could have been more effective if it didn't keep repeating a few different things during the second and third transmissions. If Mya's POV was included, it might have worked even better. The attention is focused too much away from her and onto the two men who love her. No matter how entertaining THE SIGNAL was, it is the biggest fault of this film no matter what.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
The deleted scenes amount to much needed cuts: 2 versions of a bicycle scenes and an extended baseball bat scene (along with intros for each why they were cut). The directors once decided they needed three transmissions inserted into the film to show how it is affecting things in Terminus. They come with an intro and some of the elements do work and I can see why they weren't in the final film.

If you're sadistic to yourself or really bored for about 9 to 10 minutes, you can watch the Signal on your TV screen. Yep, it is one sick extra from the directors.
SIGNAL BREAKDOWN talks about the story and and characters of THE SIGNAL.
INSIDE TERMINUS: THE MAKING OF THE SIGNAL is a 15 minute making of featurette that goes behind-the-scenes including the three low cost effects they used to get what you see on the screen. I wish they had a PDF file of the Terminus brochure to access via DVD-ROM.

THE HAP HAPGOOD STORY is the full 10 minute version of a short film made and edited in 48 hours at a film festival in 2003. A director's intro is also included and you see a shortened two minute version at the start of THE SIGNAL. The theatrical trailer is included on the disc too.

Also included is a director's audio commentary for the feature film by all three directors (each third commented on by the other two directors).

FINAL ANAYSIS: THE SIGNAL is a flawed and yet interesting film. If it wasn't for the middle third, it would have been an instant classic. The extras give a good look at what didn't make it into the film and a little about the making of it. If you bought the DVD at Best Buy, you get a bonus disc.

this DVD review is (c)6-17-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  

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