Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Parallels'

Written by Scott Edwards

There are so many things that science can explain, but there are also plenty of things that it cannot. One of the theories that I rather enjoy is that of a parallel universe that is just a tad different than our own happening at the exact same time as ours is moving forward. There is nothing that can prove that this is happening at all, but at the same time, there is nothing proving that it is not. But if you were able to cross over into this alternate universe, would you want to? What if the new world is completely different than the way you left it and what if you never existed in the alternate universe? These are good questions to ask yourself, because I am sure that if the parallel world does exist, anyone who can figure how to cross the threshold, will figure out a way to step over the line.

In a back alley, Ronan Carver is trying to further his career as a semi-professional MMA fighter, but finding out the truth about his ability, he is more or less a punching bag for his opponent. Wanting something better for himself, he refuses to ask for help or forgiveness from his family since he feels responsible for their greatest loss. Heading back to his house, he receives a cryptic message from his father, telling him to arrive at a certain building downtown at exactly 6:58 p.m., and not knowing what this means, Ronan heads back to his childhood home and waits for his father, but he is not the only one in the house as his sister has received the same message. 

Being years since the two have talked or seen each other, they take a little bit of time to catch up and with their childhood next store neighbor still living across the street, a reunion takes place. But the brother and sister want to find the whereabouts of their father and are looking for clues as to what might have happened to him. Finding their father’s bug out bag in the back of the car, they take it back inside and inspect what is in it, and finding a strange artifact inside an old newspaper, they see something that makes them curious as to what their old man has been up to for the past few years. Not having any luck at the house, the group heads to a mysterious building downtown and even though Ronan does not want to enter the empty space, he is forced to follow his sister in.

Finding nothing on the first floor of the building the group thinks that it is just a gag, but when reading all of the graffiti on the walls, they are more curious than scared about what happens next. A strange beeping starts and the group is transported to what appears to be a different time as the city that was previously around them is in shambles and is now covered in overgrown plants. Wanting to find out where they are, they ask a couple of travelers that are walking by, but the couple seems to more afraid of the strangers than they are of the surprise patrol. Shortly after seeing people get gunned down, the group runs back into the building, which still seems to be in pristine shape and try to hide from the killers down below and they quickly discover that not only are they not alone, but the building's true purpose...that it is a safe place that can transport people into parallel universes.

This is a very interesting story of how the world could change when the smallest thing is different, or when something massive happens. I did enjoy how each different universe had its similarities, but wanted to see more of what would happen if the group ever ran into their alternate selves, but that would have to be handled in a sequel. The story is strong and the actors did a fine job bringing it to life. There are still questions to be answered when the movie ends, but that is how it was laid out, so you will have to wait for the next chapter to come into play to have them answered. Happy Viewing.

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