Stargate Theatre

Metal Shifters

Here we are again for another Stargate Archives podcast and a Stargate Theatre presentation of the 2011 tv movie “Metal Shifters” aka “Iron Invaders” aka “Iron Golem”. The movie was written and directed by Paul Ziller with the music provided by Christopher Nickel and Stunt Coordination by Glenn Ennis. There is also a bumper crop of actors who have appeared in Stargate (hence picking this movie) so we have the two main leads Kavan Smith and Nicole de Boer along with the Sheriff ( Paul McGillion), Ethan (Colby Johannson), Harry (Don Thompson), Tony (Chris Gauthier), Max (Jesse Moss), Deputy Jenny (Chelah Horsdal), Cowboy (Scott McNeil) and the Corner (Alvin Sanders).

The movie begins with a scene showing a Russian satellite being struck by a meteor which sends debris into the atmosphere eventually crashing into a small farm in the town of Redeemer which is currently undergoing a drastic economic crisis. That helps greatly in the budgeting of the movie since you then don’t need many extras and the financial problems of Jake the main character (played by Kavan) is the catalyst for much of the events in the town. Jake and his brother Ethan find the satellite debris and sell it to a local scrap dealer named Earl played by the late Donnelly Rhodes who incorporates some of the metal into his golem sculpture. Alas the meteor was carrying some sort of sentient (?) virus which animates the golem and sends it on a killing spree for the metallic compounds it needs to survive and only found in human blood. The movie shows us the trail of death and the trouble many of the characters have in convincing anyone else of what they have seen and ultimately the last survivors of the town find themselves holed up in and around the local tavern as the golem attacks.

Metal Shifters was obviously a budget restricted production with it seems the majority being spent on the cast which proved to be a wise decision, the acting was very good across the cast and the producers were also able to make the most of the location shooting and the demands for a larger than life robot/golem on the rampage. Credit to the people behind the robot/golem, it was a blend of practical and CGI and had the feel of stop motion animation which added to the reality of the creation which is why this movie works and I have to recommend it.

IMDB WIKI

Many thanks for visiting the Stargate Archives and listening to the podcast, I’m having fun watching some of these movies although I have no idea what the listeners and subscribers think. Of course if you want to let me know what you think then feel free to get in touch and if you want to be on the podcast to talk Stargate or a Movie with Stargate links then skype a headset an hour or so is all that is required. Ratings and reviews for the podcast are always welcome and don’t forget there are many more Stargate podcasts out there and with the recent Amazon purchase of MGM then who knows there may be more Stargate to talk about sooner rather than later.