Alpha Rift is a throwback to the fantasy movies that existed in cineplexes before The Lord of the Rings raised the bar for storytelling and production values. The story follows Nolan Parthmore (Aaron Dalla Villa) a nerdy game store owner. When a mysterious package is delivered to him, he finds himself in a world of demons and a destiny he must fulfill – whether he wants to or not.
Unoriginal premise aside, there is a lot of room for a fun story. Some variation of this plot is the foundation for some of the most beloved films of all time. Even the most derivative of these movies can be exciting if done right. Alpha Rift does a great job of building its lore. Along with looking awesome, the mystical helmet Nolan receives is powerful. The story of the Noblemen is a interesting one that is well developed. There is certainly plenty here to make a rich franchise.
Characters are also an important part of fantasy story. While the main characters have a tendency to be a little too familiar, Blades (Phillip N. Williams) is an excellent villain. He is unapologetically evil without being comically bad. As with many good stories of this genre, things can become unintentionally funny without strong heroes and villains. The inclusion of Blades ensures Alpha Rift will always taken seriously.
The thing that stands out most about Alpha Rift is that it knows how to have a good time. The fights are exciting without ever getting too gory. The jokes can get cheesy, but are never grating. Even when things get dark, it is never scary. The middle drags a little, but this is an enjoyable film that everyone will be able to watch.
Alpha Rift comes to select theaters and on demand November 19
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