We may live in a world of amazing scientific knowledge and understanding but we still enjoy a story about the ancient gods and goddesses that at one time dominated our world view. Perhaps it is because such beliefs were so ingrained in humanity for so long that it is now part of our collective consciousness. Long before we could examine the natural world through experimentation and scientific research mankind invented groups of supernatural beings to explain away the unexplainable. The sun was a god in a fiery chariot that transverse the sky on a daily basis. There were gods that provoked and managed every aspect of the universe and every culture had their own set specifically suited to their culture. Most people are familiar with the standard pantheon of the Greeks and Romans perhaps even the Norsemen but there are many others around for modern day story tellers to write about. A recent science fiction flick takes on one of the more ancient and powerful of these deities; Ba’al. In ‘Ba’al: The Storm God’ modern technology and ancient superstition clash in a flawed but still fun flick. This is typical of the quality of the Sci-Fi Channel’s so called Saturday night specials. We all know the kind of flicks they put on in that time slot. Since every major network has abandoned this night for their programming the Sci-Fi channel has been coming up with a series of flicks done fast and cheap to fill in the time. At their best they are passable pop corn flicks and at the other end of the spectrum they can be pretty awful. This one comes in about mid range. It is predicable and doesn’t have the strongest script but it does manage to have a modicum of entertainment value. If you are part of the baby boomer generation then you grew up with ‘B’ science fiction movies and may be more forgiving. After all we are used to bad special effects, wooden acting and minimal stories.

Just for a little historical perspective Ba’al was one of the most ancient gods ever written about. References to him are in the Bible and were a constant source of consternation with the early Hebraic culture and he was the major deity of the Canaanites. Over time he became associated with paganism in general. He was considered the god of god of the rain, thunder, fertility and agriculture. Since most ancient cultures were extremely concerned with the weather Ba’al was central to many belief systems. The story uses these tributes to drive the story so there is some basis for it; at least a bit more than most of these Sci-Fi flicks of this sort. This is actually the extent of thought you should have while watching this flick; just accept that the premise has a flimsy connection to actual mythologies and kick back and have a little fun. The story was written by Andrew Black and Paul Ziller. Both men have some television experience including a couple of other Saturday night specials but for the most part they are still learning the craft. They employ some well used plot devices to set the stage for the story. First of all it you want to evoke some ancient evil or deity get yourself an archaeologist to serve as the leading man or at least the bad guy. This does serve to lend a little whiff of science to the proceedings and provides someone who can give the required exposition with a fairly authoritative persona. Next there has to be some rational for unleashing the primeval terror. Usually a writer will rely on one of a few hackney paths; the potential of immense wealth or enough power to dominate the world. To their credit Ziller and Black came up with another way to go. They gave the archaeologist terminal cancer. A man desperate to live will do just about anything to prolong his life. If that means releasing the Storm god on the world well there is bound to be some collateral damage. The last thing the writers fall back on is the plot coupon. In this technique the object desired is one split into several parts and all of them must be reunited in order for their effect to be put in working order. Here there is an amulet in four parts that has to be put together to summon the full power of Ba’al. I gather from just how often this is done in a flick it would lead you to believe that ancient amulets were made to be broken apart and hidden. The plot coupon is very popular in fantasy fore good reason; it allows for a chase and sets the clock ticking adding some suspense to the mix. Here it just doesn’t come across as enough to motivate the characters properly.

Paul Ziller has had several times in the director’s chair and a number of those where for other Saturday night specials on the Sci-Fi channel. In many ways this is a niche form of direction requiring the ability to pull a flick together cheap and fast. It does appear that there is a group of directors who are specializing in these films since the same ones pop up in the credits with regularity. It is easy to point out flaws in a work like this but viewers should remember that between a lack of budget and extremely tight schedule it is amazing they get made at all. Ziller does what is expected; he gets right to the set up of the story, introduces the characters and moves into the cheap special effects. These flicks do not aspire to greatness; they are intended for diversion and a little fun.

Dr. Owen Standford (Scott Hylands) is a well known archaeologist but most of his peers consider him more than a little eccentric in his theories and methods. While at a remote dig he discovers what he is sure is the remains of a Sumerian tablet that could lead him to four lost pieces of a powerful amulet. Two other scientists; Dr. Lee Helm (Jeremy London) and Dr. Carol Gage are dispatched to evaluate Standford’s work and shut him down if necessary. Standford is on a personal mission to tap into this ancient power. He has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and his only hope is to gain the coveted power of Ba’al. Standford discovers the first piece and as Ba’al is awakened the Storm God creates havoc around the world with storms of ever increasing destructive power. It is up to Helm to decipher the clues and find the other three pieces before Standford can put them together and end the world.

Okay, this is not a very good film but there is the sense that it is an honest effort on the part of the cast and crew. It did remind me a lot of the old flicks I grew up with in the fifties that were great for passing the time on a lazy summer’s day. Like all movies like this from the Sci-Fi Channel there are a few recognizable faces. London was a long time cast member of ‘ 7^th Heaven’ and there is also Lexa Doig who has been a staple of the genre with roles on ‘Andromeda’ and ‘Star Gate SG-1’.