The Abandon

Directed by Keith Josef Adkins

Being a sci fi fan is difficult these days especially when you hit the age of forty. You pretty much seen it all. When my oldest son suggests anything, I watch it and point out the similarities to something I watched at his age. At this point, I just look for decent writing. While there are some great shows out there, they are still few that catch my eye. Fortunately, it seems that independent directors and writers have heard the call and are producing some great work.

Somehow "TheAbandon," directed by Keith Josef Adkins, made it on my Twitter feed. While I get a ton of videos that I wouldn't be caught even considering, I decided to try "The Abandon." I didn't regret it. I actually watched it twice back to back. The next day, I visited a homie for a play date with our children and we watched it. Yes, it is that good.

The story begins with 5 friends planning to meet for their annual camping trip. A weekend away from the careers, spouses, and the everyday hustle and bustle. No cell phones and other gadgets. Just a weekend in the country. So 5 regular brothers from college who need to get away from it all. On their way to the camp grounds, something unexplainable happens. Adkins really draws the audience into this story by introducing the mystery early in the story.

Before we go any further, it is an alien invasion. The catch is that the characters in the story don't know anything about it. They learn a few things from some old tweets and notice several odd things, but for the most part the main characters are clueless. As the story progresses, the audience gets to know who they are and how they are all connected. Here is where the writer demonstrates his or her worth.

In a time of $300 million dollar blockbuster movies with the latest in CGI and wonderfully written TV shows, most people have heard or seen it all. At the end of the day, it will be the writing that will keep an audience. The shows on ScyFy are great examples of decent budgets but spotty writing and even worse acting. One can make a wonderful movie on a shoestring budget with half way decent or unknown actors. Adkins proves this with ease.

I cannot wait until Adkins continues with more parts to the series. While "TheAbandon" can stand on it's own, it would be great if a network would pick it up. I find it just as good and much of the good shows that are on major networks now.