THE SOULTAKER

THE STORY: Zach Taylor, a working class high school grad is reunited with his former girlfriend, Natalie, the mayor's daughter at a carnival. They catch a ride with Zach's buddy Brad, some guy named Tommy and Candice, Brad's trashy girlfriend. This turns out to not be a smart move. Brad's dealing drugs and is in fact, high as a kite and drunk when they get in the car. That's not the only problem they have though. The Angel of Death has sent one of his minions to capture their souls in the tragic accident that is going to happen. Driving like a madman, Brad crashes into a tree and Zach, Brad, Tommy and Natalie find themselves lying in a field some distance from the wreck; with the exception of Candice their souls were jarred loose from their bodies. Death's angel must now track them down and take them to the netherworld. Brad is the first to go, when Death's angel basically throttles the "life" out of him. The remaining three still don't realize that they've lost their breathing privileges and run to a nearby store. After failing to realize why the clerk doesn't see or hear them, Death catches Tommy. The Death angel kind of lets Zach and Natalie go, because Natalie reminds him of a love he had in his former life, which must have been in the 19th century according to the flashbacks. He's actually a wimpy Death Angel because he screws up several chances to get them. Tommy is the next get throttled by Death, but its largely because of his inability to run instead of standing still like an idiot. A few chase scenes later, Zach and Natalie put 2+2 together. Zach catches a TV news broadcast showing their parents at the hospital and explaining that since they're brain dead (no, I'm not going to make a joke) the life support will be terminated at midnight. They have to get to hospital before their parents pull the plugs on their bodies. After another "death is after us" scene, they run into Brad who has now been recruited as one of Death's gathering boys. Being a friend and actually being the reason this is all happening, Brad tells Zach how to return to the land of the living. Angered that his helper has failed, Death 'kills' his angel. Zach and Natalie reunite themselves with their bodies and make a full recovery.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?:

1.) At one point Zach and Natalie escape to Natalie's house...the Mayor's mansion. The death Angel is waiting disguised as Natalie's mom. Is the Mayor's house so unguarded? No one is there at all. (except for death...the mayor and his wife are at the hospital with Natalie's body) When the Death Angel/Mom calls the police a long period of time goes by and no cops show up. If I were Zach or Natalie I'd ask why the police don't show up fast after the Mayor's wife called 45 minutes ago!

2.) A little common sense could've saved our heroes some trouble...would you get in car driven by a guy who's been swilling a liter of Jack Daniel's? Isn't it easier to put a pistol in your mouth and blow your brains out?

3.) I'd think that the Angels of Death would have powers that would make resistance a little harder. But Zach and Natalie OUTRUN him....Death needs to hit the track. Maybe he's heard the thing about him and taxes...

4.) The film is lightly padded with scenes of two cops talking about some of the strange occurrences happening. That's it. They serve no other purpose. Why? They don't actually contribute anything. They must be the producer's brothers or something because they definitely do not need to be in the movie!

5.) While outrunning Death, Zach and Natalie pass several houses. At this point they think they are still alive and think the Death Angel is just some maniac that killed Brad. (they really don't question how they survived a terrible car wreck with absolutely no injuries) For the love of Pete. I'd be screaming my lungs out and banging on doors if a crazy guy was chasing me down a suburban street! These two act like the only safe place is Natalie's house.

NUDITY AND SEX: Natalie almost gets naked when the death Angle disguised as her mom suggests she takes a bath while waiting for the police. "Yeah, mom, I've just been in a car that hit a tree at 90 MPH, and one of my friends was killed by a nutcase in black cloak, but I've got time for a bath!"

HUH?: Is it customary to declare someone brain dead and turn off life support an hour after they get to the hospital? They had no other injuries! (after they reunite themselves with their bodies they seem just fine!) The parents don't even wait a full day before making the decision to terminate! Malpractice insurance must be cheap there. The Angel of death is the wierdest looking guy I've seen in a long time. Like a cross between the Hulk and Barbie. What the hell is up with his jaws?

THE TALLY: For a cheaply made supernatural thriller movie, this wasn't too bad. It wasn't Ghost but it could have been worse. The acting was tolerable. Its worth a few chuckles at the very least…and I repeat, the Chief Death Angel is a weird lookin' guy.