Stargate Theatre - Abominable Snowman
Stargate Theatre
Abominable Snowman
On this episode of Stargate Theatre I am taking a look at the 2013 made for tv movie “Abominable Snowman” aka “Deadly Descent” which stars the former Stargate actor Chuck Campbell and co-stars Adrian Paul from Highlander fame. The movie follows the exploits of Brian Tanner (Chuck) who lost family and friends in the mountains surrounding his hometown which is a region with a rather high death rate often attributed to avalanches and ravines. However when he witnesses a tragic event at close quarters he takes it upon himself to seek out the threat in the mountains even to the point of abandoning family and friends and heading alone armed with nothing but a 9mm and his courage.
Brian’s sister Nina played by Lauren O'Neil is concerned when Brian disappears and with no luck from local authorities she calls friends of the family and of Brian who all have served in the military. When they arrive they learn that Mark (Adrian) flew Brian into the mountains the day before and despite an incoming storm he agrees to fly the group to the same place and pick them up at a later date. Nina and her associates begin to explore the mountain but find little evidence of Brian and then an avalanche strikes seriously injuring one of the party. The head down the mountain with their injured comrade and take shelter at Chalet/Hotel which is closed for the season and that is where they find Brian preparing for his encounter with the beast that inhabits the mountain. Naturally Nina is not happy with Brian and his selfish acts especially given that two search and rescue men have already died and now their friend is hurt. However as Brian explains his research and shows them his plans to entice the beast into the trap they have no choice but to go along as the storm continues to rage. You will not be surprised to find out that the plan does not work exactly as Brian intended, the bodies start dropping the beast gets to stock up it’s larder.
Abominable Snowman is a very well shot movie, the decision shoot in Bulgaria plays off with some stunning mountain/snow scenes thanks to great cinematography and simple but competent stunt people and directing. The little CGI that is used in the movie is the weakest aspect of the production, the helicopter is a little embarrassing and the beasts or yeti’s lack detail and finesse but I guess serve their purpose. None of the actors are really pushed and Chuck carries the movie well, Adrian has little to do and his drunk scene was pretty bad but amusing to hear his native accent creep in now and again. Overall not a terrible way to spend an hour or so but the movie could have been so much better with not much more effort but who knows how the budget was allocated.
Many thanks for joining me on this movie watching adventure and if you would like to be on the podcast to talk Stargate Theatre or Stargate proper then please get in touch and we can sort something out. I’m not sure what is up next but it’ll be interesting so stay safe and keep on watching and sharing all things Stargate.
