“Spectral” is a sci-fi/action flick that delivers entertaining action sequences, some interesting concepts and some rather impressive special effects. I really get the sense that the people that made this film were raised on “Aliens”, “Predator” and “Universal Soldier”.

As the U.S. military struggles to control the violence erupting in Moldova, it becomes very clear that the insurgents are not the most threatening enemy American troops face. A research scientist (James Badge Dale “The Departed”, “World War Z”) is brought in from Virginia when the goggles he designed detect an anomaly. Now a team of special ops soldiers are facing an enemy they do not understand and seems invulnerable.

Like a lot of sci-fi/action films, the characters in “Spectral” are not particularly captivating. None of the characters are bad or anything like that but they will not leave any real impression. It’s a shame that the filmmakers were not able to copy the great characters and dialog from films such as “Aliens” and “Predator”. Bruce Greenwood (“Gerald’s Game”) gives a good performance as General Orland but unfortunately, he does not get given a lot of screen time. The enemy that the soldiers face looks rather spectacular at times and think the people working on the special effects have done an impressive job.

I think the setting is quite interesting, the sci-fi ideas discussed are quite fascinating, the action scenes are very enjoyable and again the special effects are wonderful to look at. I like the fact that the movie only seems to use computer effects where it is necessary so I imagine it will still look really good in a decade’s time much like how “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” still looks great. “Spectral” will definitely entertain those that really enjoy sci-fi/action films because it combines the two genres very well.