David Roggenkamp A team of college students decide to play around with physics; little do they know they've opened up a portal into the gates of Hell. If we wanted to talk about Gothic architecture (think medieval times), this movie is certainly inviting. In fact, everything in this film is based on the memories of 'Hell' of the college students. If you want to see demonic gargoyles, dragons, stone architecture, along with dead bodies and the living dead, this is most certainly the movie for you.If death warmed over, and indeed hell warmed over are something that may give you nightmares - I would look elsewhere. In fact, the entire movie literally looks like a living nightmare - something I found to be surprising. The professor was about the only character that I did not like. He seems to be a combination of Bill Nye and one of the more recent Dr. Whos. More importantly, he seems intent on playing God where children are 'inferior' and do not know what they are doing; moreover he also seems to like the whole "Mad Scientist laugh" at points which seems completely unnecessary. Did the college students have to rely on his help? I'm sure the movie could have found some way, such as a portal - for them to get back; it's almost expected in movies. Instead they used a pair of jumper cables from a Jeep to a transponder (teleporter in this case) and 'gave it more juice' by hitting the gas. I got sick of the movie by this point; but it all worked out in the end. Charon's appearance across the River Styx was also pretty sweet.Originally posted to Orion Age (http://www.orionphysics.com/?p=10754).

Michael Ervin Yes, this is a typical low-budget SyFy action horror movie. And yes,the actors are all unknowns. But...I had a good time watching it. Some college students perform an experiment in teleportation, but something goes very wrong. SPOILERS The movie starts with an explosion in Russia, leaving a distinctive crater. Then we move to some college students trying out their "transponder." Immediately they get pulled through a portal into what they believe is Hell. Interestingly, there is a gate with the sign from Dante's Inferno-"Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here". This ought to tell them that Wherever they are, it is not really Hell. It is a very messed up place, though. This is Hell portrayed as a Halloween Hell House or a Hell dimension from the Buffy/Angel-verse. The only problem is there are all manner of creatures trying to torture or kill them as they struggle to find a way to return to Earth. I have to agree with other reviewers that the cutaways back to the college, with a professor trying to get them back did not add much to it. The other thing that bothered me was that they kept saying things like "Oh My God!" and "Help me!", but not one of them thought to pray, or to call out to God for help. I got tired of them calling for help, but never calling to anyone specific. Who did they think was going to answer? Anyway, I still enjoyed the movie. It was not very good, but it kept moving, and I had to keep watching to see if anyone made it out. If you can see it for free, it might be worth a watch.

jlthornb51 Visionary director Nick Lyon creates one of the most satisfying science fiction films of the last year with this low-budget masterpiece. With an intelligent script and excellent production values, Lyon manages to start building the suspense and thrills from virtually the opening sequence. As a group of young, adventurous students open a dimension unknown, they are confronted with a horror that may well be Hell and must fight for their very lives as well as a way out. The challenges that face them are as immense as they are terrifying and the creatures they are met by are some of the most horrible ever filmed. Spectacular make-up makes for some deeply disturbing imagery, with the denizens of this hellish landscape truly beyond any imagination. The characters are almost immediately put in this situation and their is little time for character development. But director Lyon, working with a cast of some very exciting young actors, allows the skills of his stars to work some real magic and before long, these are people the audience has come to care about very much. Kabby Borders as Ava is stunning and Hunter Canedy in the role of Ward is particularly good, bringing depth and substance to their characters. The rest of the cast is equally extraordinary and one of the pleasures of this film are the breathtaking characterizations and strong acting. These are actors we are sure to see much more of in the near future. With a script that transcends clichés and gives the audience something important to consider, this is science fiction that's a cut above the usual SyFy production. A pleasant surprise indeed for the discriminating viewer and a film that may haunt you with its power for some time to come!

Clay Loomis Well, SyFy Channel movies have almost reached the level of special effects that theatrical movies had 20 years ago. Almost. To be honest, I think they are satisfied with the level of visual effects they are getting now, as the quality has not really improved in about 5 years. I'd say this one was on the high side of their scale though.Oh yes, the movie. We all know the drill here. A bunch of actors you've never heard of before, moan and lurch their way towards the realization that they aren't going to be the next Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. Chances are, you'll never see any of them again.The movie's concept is actually pretty decent. College students playing around with an experimental matter transporter gizmo accidentally open a hole to Hell. And they don't waste time getting there either. It was only about 5 minutes into this thing and we had our half dozen kids stumbling around in Hell, looking for a way out.It looks like a PG version of a crossed zombie/slasher flick, with demons doing the slashing. Nothing particularly exciting or new, and you certainly won't be scared or thrilled, but hey, it's SyFy. If you were expecting Oscar quality stuff, you wouldn't be watching a SyFy original film.We don't actually know if this is Hell, or another dimension the kids opened up. Although, if it's another dimension, it's one MESSED UP dimension. In the end, a college professor pulls out two of them, or maybe they got out on their own. One kid popped out in Russia for no reason I can fathom, (and just what happens to you if you die while in Hell? Where do you go then?). Nothing is explained and little makes sense. Congratulations, you and I just burnt two hours on another ridiculous SyFy movie.