Absolute Zero / Disaster Zone

Two movies focused on apocalyptic events happening in major cities. Both have pretty unbelievable concepts, although great acting, and storylines manage to save the films from being terrible. However, which one's better?Basic InformationAbsolute Zero is a made-for-television film that originally aired on various channels in March, 2006. It follows a group of people who attempt to seek shelter in a lab located inside a research facility in Miami to survive freezing temperatures caused by the Earth's polarity reversing.Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York is also a made-for-television film that originally aired on February 25, 2006. It follows a group of underground workers who attempt stop the eruption of a volcano under New York City.Both storylines are ridiculous, and scientifically inaccurate, but are also quite fascinating.Round 1: StoryAbsolute Zero stars a group of stereotypes: Jeff Fahey as a scientist that nobody listens to, Erika Eleniak as the frightened, and confused ex-wife, Bill Dow as the scientist's boss who disagrees with his predictions, Jessica Amlee as the ex-wife's young daughter who can't do anything for herself, Michael Ryan as the ex-wife's new husband, Fred Ewanuick, and Britt Irvin as climatology students willing to help the scientist, and Matthew Walker as the old friend who gets killed off early. This ensemble cast has been seen in other disaster films many times before such as 2012, Sharknado, and San Andreas, but, with the exception of Eleniak, and Amlee, the actors manage to make their characters convincing, and, thus, strengthening the story.Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York also stars a group of stereotypes: Costas Mandylor as the leader of a group of underground workers, Eric Breker as his initially jerky colleague who sacrifices himself near the end of the film, Pascale Hutton as the new, yet nervous colleague, Zak Santiago as the expendable character who gets killed off for no other reason than a larger body count, Ron Selmour as the colleague who gets killed off early, Alexandra Paul as the ex-wife who also doubles as the scientist that nobody listens to, Robert Moloney as her colleague that refuses to listen to her, and Michael Ironside (the best performer in the group by a longshot) as the villain who turns out to be the cause of the disaster. Besides Ironside, none of the cast are convincing enough to bring their stereotypical characters to life.Round 1 Winner: Absolute ZeroRound 2: Editing (Cinematography, Special Effects, Music)The music in both movies are bland, and forgettable tracks that are typical for a Echo Bridge Home Entertainment movie.The special effects in both movies aren't great, and look like animation created by a third year film student, although are still better than in Asylum movies such as Sharknado, and Airplane vs. Volcano.As for the cinematography, Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York has a distracting style. A combination of wide shots mixed in with "distant" closeups gives the film a found footage movie feel, and that's not a compliment. However, Absolute Zero has rather decent cinematography, consisting mostly of medium shots.Round 2 Winner: Absolute ZeroConclusionOverall Winner: Absolute ZeroAbsolute Zero is a compelling movie driven by surprisingly well-written characters, and dialogue, despite the limited setting. 7/10.Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York, on the other hand, is bogged down by stereotypical characters, predictable plot points, and a rather boring climax. Although I didn't hate the film, it's still not my favorite Echo Bridge movie. 6/10.

The first movie Disaster Zone was a fairly well-done disaster movie, with competent acting and direction and a good level of tension. The second one, Absolute Zero was so bad it was interesting to watch, sort of like a train wreck. There were plot holes big enough to drive a semi through and I have seen much better acting and direction at our local little theater. However, considering that I only paid $5.00 for both of them in one DVD, they made an enjoyable way to kill some time, if only to say, "you're not going to believe what I just saw!"

I like syfy end of the world movies, they are bad and cheesy but they entertain me. These were not quite as good as some I have seen but I liked them enough.

This duo has the makings for a...double feature night. Fire and ice disasters. Entertainment for a low price. Invite a few friends, make the popcorn, open up those bottles of soda and turn up the volume. It's all good.

The movie was okay, I liked the concept of it but they were missing most of the changes of the polar switch. I don't know what kind of budget they had but it seemed to be on the low scale. They did good with what they had. If you like disaster movies for your collection then get it but if you want a really good movie about polar switch get polar storm.

I am almost embarrassed to say I bought Danger Zone: Volcano in New York. It wouldn't have happened except for the guy's. Costas Mandylor is the main reason. He was sexy without being unclothed and his team complemented him. Plus Michael Ironside playing his usual psycho to the hilt. Alexandra Paul plays the ex wife who is part of the plot.This is a bad good movie a SYFY specialty!

a lot of action

It is a good thing that these two movies are being sold together otherwise the movie "Absolute Zero" would rarely get sold. I had never seen this disaster movie before. The characters in this movie are so unbelieveable that you lose interest. The scientist are so uninteresting that they are boring. No explanation of the pending disaster which is going to occur. Which, by the way, is a shift of the poles, causing an ice age in the southern part of the US. Very little science in this movie and even less acting."Volcano in New York" is a good disaster, science fiction, movie. Truthfully, I've seen it several times and would not hesitate to watch it again. Good science, good acting and it's never boring. Very believeable. Good story.

A good value DVD. Very cheap and both movies are at least worth a watch. Both are 16.9 ratio with good picture, colour and sound. Chapters are the only extras. ABSOLstqars reliable Jeff Fahey and Elena Eleniak and is a bit hit and miss, but, for me, mostly hit, even tho the plot is full of holes and the climax far too drawn out. DISASTER ZONE: VOLCANO isw only just a bit better, and benefits for me anyway in having Alexabdra Paul, but who the heck is Costas Mandylor? Some good set pieces and pretty realistics SFX and Michael Ironside all help this to be a fairly entertainin watch. Not classics but I have truly seen much worse...and it is so cheap! A good double bill for those who who like these minor "Disaster" films

I really liked this film and would recommend it.

Excellent dvd and a very good price.