EPOCH

PLOT SUMMARY

A personal tragedy strikes a family in the wilds of Bhutan. Their son has died of diptheria (?). Leaving their yurt, the mother stands grieving outside when odd rumblings begin, and lightning arcs across the clear sky. Shortly a mound rises up, and from it erupts a bizarre object that resembles a huge inverted cone. It hangs there unsupported, defying gravity, defying understanding — mysterious, aloof, terrifying.

The object's advent is noticed elsewhere. Signals it emits interfere with power and communications worldwide. Emergency meetings are called in every nation. The U.S. soon has a detachment en route to the site, 100 miles from the Chinese border, and has summoned experts from diverse locations. One such expert is Mason Rand, known to be a wizard with technology. (He has to be rescued from three brigands in Mexico. He's also known to be a loose cannon. This attitude is reinforced by having recently learned he has a year to live, due to ALS.)

Meanwhile, against all odds, the young Bhutanese boy has recovered. He soon comes to the attention of the doctor at the American base, who has no explanation. Meeting him, Mason Rand is also at a loss. But when the boy takes his arm, the pain he'd been feeling stops. He conceals this. In any case there is no time for distractions; two Chinese MiGs are due in minutes. They must learn all they can about the cone, get inside if it can be managed. Mason manages it. A squad of troops is sent in, without Mason, to his great irritation. The MiGs arrive and circle the object several times, dwarfed by its bulk. One fires a missile at it; tendrils of force from the object swat both planes out of the sky.

Mason — now certified by the doctor as having no sign of ALS — is finally allowed to enter the object. While he explores it, a Chinese ground force reaches the site. In a confrontation with the American military, a trigger-happy troop shoots the Chinese chief scientist. He falls, drilled through the heart. But before matters can escalate, the wound heals and he rises, muttering, "Impossible... Impossible!" The two MiG pilots are brought forward, also alive.

By this point it is certain: the object can manipulate life at the molecular level. It holds great potential for good, but also destructive potential. Mason is convinced that a slow and careful approach is warranted. However, the military cannot wait; unless Mason can give them control of the object, they will destroy it. Unknown to him, they move an atom bomb inside. Mason coolly tries to disarm it, but runs out of time. But this is not the end.

Capsule review: This is a film with decent special effects, two good performances by the leads, and adequate ones by the rest of the cast. While never destined to be among the top-ranked entries, it is very enjoyable a time or two.