Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘As Above, So Below’

Written by Scott Edwards 

There are so many people that spend their lives in the pursuit of knowledge. This is far from a bad way to spend your days on this planet, since there are many others that would rather sit back and do nothing since learning can be one of the hardest things to do. Wanting to know more about myths and legends however can also prove to be costly, not just monetarily, but mentally as well. And if you are able to find out what you are looking for, will you be disappointed when the answer is not what you expected?

Scarlett Marlow is looking to prove her father’s studies correct when she undergoes the hunt of a lifetime. Trying to locate the philosopher’s stone, Scarlett has been taken all over the world, but now she has a lead on its whereabouts that she cannot pass up. Locating the Rose Key while underground in Iran, Scarlett believes that the legends are true and will stop at nothing while continuing her hunt. Needing help to decipher the language on the Rose Key, she has to find her old friend George and beg him to help.

Although George is not as excited about the hunt for the stone as Scarlett is, he decides to help out his past love one more time. Reading the old texts, new riddles are revealed to where the stone may be hidden. Noting all of the old locations around France, Scarlett knows that the stone is hidden beneath the city and the only way to find it is to dig through the catacombs. Knowing that she is going to need help in her hunt, a stranger in the catacombs recommends that she contact Papillon who is a master, underground. Being beckoned back to the tour group, Scarlett and her group see that the stranger is mysteriously gone. Not thinking twice about what they have witnessed, they find Papi drinking in a night club and get him to agree to take them under the city.

With the promise of treasure, Papi gathers his own team as well and makes it known that timing is a factor. Making it down to the first level of the catacombs, Papi points out the crazies that will be walking around the old tomb as well. When they miss their mark and head off course, a cursed entrance appears to be the better way, but Papi will not allow the group to use it and instead makes them climb over the loose bones that have been undisturbed for many years. After the roof collapses on their bone route, the entrance presents itself once again, and this time it is the only way out. Following the tunnels under Paris, the group thinks that they are going around in circles, but when they arrive in the same rooms, they start to notice the small differences. Wanting to get back up to the surface is their main priority, but they must go down before they can go up again and that is when the power of the catacombs comes to life.

I have seen all the screams from this movie in the previews, but I still wanted to see more. One of the things that kept me intrigued as the story started to move along was all of the history that was presented. This did not end as the hunt for the philosopher’s stone continued, with some references to other ancient cultures. But the scares are what made this movie a little bit different, since this massive tomb was feeding off the individuals for the most part. There are a few scenes that will leave you shaking your head and leave you wondering why you have bought into the story, and I will let you know that they are explained at the end, so you don’t feel cheated. I liked the movie and it will have to join my ever growing DVD collection at some point, but until then, I will have to keep my eyes open and make sure that I don’t wind up underground for any reason since I have my own inner demons that are dying to torment me as well. Stay Scared.

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