An unacknowledged Defence Intelligence Group keeps the galactic community safe by assigning specialist ambassadors to protect different countries’ interests in The Multidimensionals.
In 1997 director Barry Sonnenfeld brought us Men in Black, a film that successfully blended science fiction and comedy, and delivered a fresh and entertaining take on alien encounters. it also turned Will Smith into a bona fide movie star. “Men in Black” popularized the concept of a secret government agency tasked with regulating extra-terrestrial activity on Earth, a theme that resonated with audiences and fuelled conspiracy theories. Now, Ewa Pirog-Rojas offers a compelling twist of this trope with “The Multidimensionals.” While “Men in Black” showcased human agents dealing with aliens, Pirog-Rojas’s thriller flips the script, presenting alien hybrids disguised in grey as the “Men in Black,” while delivering a darker, more suspenseful take on the popular comedy.
The Multidimensionals follows Ulrin, a government grey man and alien hybrid, as he recruits a team of specialized ambassadors to navigate the difficulties of intergalactic diplomacy. These “ambassadors,” each with their own unique backgrounds and abilities, offer a glimpse into a diverse and fascinating cast of characters. Anuba, Karson, and Phoebe, the initial recruits, are brought to life with varying degrees of success, and their interactions with alien species – the Annunaki, Arcturians, Greys, Reptilians, and others form the core of the narrative. Running at 90 minutes, The Multidimensionals is a film that, despite being rough and ready, has a raw ambition that is quite appealing, boasting a premise with potential and a well thought out universe full of intriguing possibilities. It also has a huge cast of different species that possess genuine depth.
Pirog-Rojas, is clearly operating on a limited budget and makes some bold choices. According to interviews, he shot on 35mm, a decision that lends a gritty, almost documentary feel to the proceedings. While the visual effects may occasionally falter, their limitations often serve to enhance the film’s realism. Most scenes consist of people talking to each other or interview-type situations, with some scenes suggesting that the actors were filmed separately, possibly due to time constraints and Covid restrictions. There are also some basic animation sequences, but in a way, these restrictions suggest that the filmmakers are acknowledging our own lack of understanding of aliens and alien technology, and it all symbolises the uncertainty that fills the story.
The performances of the actors, while sometimes stiff and lacking in nuance, do give us a genuine sense of conviction, showing a cast who are invested in the film’s ambition. They bring a raw energy to their roles, even if the line delivery occasionally borders on the melodramatic and amateur but it’s this rawness, that is sometimes more engaging than more polished performances.
Running at 90 minutes, “The Multidimensionals” is a film that demands patience. Although its strength lies in its willingness to embrace the unknown. The parallel timeline, where Ulrin’s Native American self observes the events unfolding in the present, adds a layer of philosophical depth, but it is a work in progress. The poor quality of the sound can be a distraction at times, the dialogue feels clunky and exposition-heavy, while the pacing seems uneven. But beneath these surface flaws, there is some heart and a genuine desire to ask questions about our place in the universe. As Pirog-Rojas says himself he wants the film to work as both a standalone feature and a pilot episode for a potential TV series. The Multidimensionals is a bold experiment that manages to push the boundaries of independent filmmaking on shoestring budgets
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