From the guy who brought you “Star gate Atlantis” and “Stargate SG-1” comes “Sanctuary,” SciFi’s first and possibly the world’s first “green screen” series.
No, that doesn’t mean that “no monsters were killed in the shooting of this show,” nor does it mean that the crew was forced to drive hybrids. What it does mean is that all the sets are virtual. In other words, the actors are not really sitting in rooms or running down alleys. But unlike, say, a video game, you’d never know it – they look that good.
Given that, let me also say that virtual sets don’t make up for virtual plots. Not that “Sanctuary” doesn’t have its moments, and those moments might prove to be fast and furious after tonight’s two-hour premiere when the show goes to a more manageable one-hour format. I did find myself trying hard to stay focused for the extended premiere, though, I must say.
The plot revolves around forensic psychiatrist Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne) who is (you’re kidding) a rebellious, quirky outsider in the police department. He sees things others don’t and all that. When he’s brought in to investigate the murder of two cops (this show is so innovative that the black guy is the second one to get killed!), he knows that the cops were not shot, but sucked. The kid’s got tentacles!
His investigation culminates in his being invited by Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) to visit a special place called the Sanctuary, which is like the ASPCA for monsters who roam among us. Magnus has devoted a few lifetimes to saving and nurturing the creatures. She gets them off the streets where they kill and maim, although sometimes by autonomic mechanisms when frightened. Think skunk stink and porcupine quills – but in giant flesh-eaters.
The monsters who live in the Sanctuary are Magnus’ patients and some are even her employees, such as one guy who is a dead ringer for the Geico caveman. Her fearless sidekicks include her own platinum-tressed, 20-something daughter Ashley (Emilie Ullerup), the aforementioned Geico caveman and requisite techie (Ryan Robbins).
Of immediate importance to the gang is finding the boy with the tentacles and getting him into the Sanctuary while fighting off the resident evil guy, John Druitt (Christopher Heyerdahl). Somehow, Chernobyl and Jack the Ripper are also involved. All that’s missing is Charles Manson.
The monsters are first rate, the virtual sets are very cool, the acting is excellent. Why I was fighting fatigue while watching, I can’t say. It was either the martinis from Steve Dunleavy’s farewell party – or the plot.