John Ritter is a computer programmer who designs and installs home security systems that control all kinds of things in the house like curtains, door locks, almost anything electrical, he basically turns houses into what is now called a 'smart house.' This was a science fiction movie at one time, which is why it is so fascinating. Now it isn't. As of today, in 2013, there is nothing in this movie that hasn't happened, and that is what makes this film not only a frightening artifact, but that in spite of it's cheap TV movie production quality, it was prophetic in every way.
It wasn't merely the technology it predicted, but anticipating every single thing this technology would later be used for, including the 'gated community' which would begin to control everyone's lives who lived in them. Hal Linden stars as the Ayn Randian self-starting entrepreneur who built 'The Colony,' a high tech gated community somewhere in California. This was in 1995 supposed to be a cautionary tale, but as with so many these days, not only are they all ignored, they have been taken as blueprints by infantile egomaniacs who seem to think they are absurd and amusing comedies. I won't spoil the plot, but this movie was a very fun watch, and has a lot of social commentary on what then didn't really exist, but does now, and has probably exceeded the premonitory expectations of the filmmakers.
The acting is TV quality with TV stars, but looking back on this weird "Lifetime" movie-turned-conspiracy-nightmare, it is a precious gem. It obviously must have been 'movie of the week,' but unfortunately people probably didn't watch it or take it seriously enough. Essentially, what it foretells is of a new class, a privatized security protected class of Ayn Randian fascists whose lives are controlled by wacked out wealthy entrepreneurs who not only con them and soak them for these outlandish fascistic gated communities and hook them into an upper class cult, but are contained and manipulated by conspiring with private security firms who carry out assassinations and electronic surveillance (as well as what one might call 'false flag' operations...but I don't want to spoil it for you). Yes, while watching you may encounter many cinematic cliches ("Hand over the disc!") but you begin to realize all of this is now real, every detail, and every aspect of it's 'fictional' plot. Watch out if you get out of line, because that fancy fucking house in that Glen Beck Estates you signed up for is watching you, and they'll brainwash your children, take your money, and corrupt you and make you a part of their insane conspiracies by coercion.
I highly recommend this film for what it slowly transforms into, a family movie-of-the-week which becomes a cybertronic nightmare for the family who wants a better life. They don't make em like this any more boys and girls, enjoy it while it lasts. Soon enough, with the kinds of technology being put into place on virtually every level of American life, this is your future, every where, every place, every town, and if you're not living in 'The Colony,' I would direct you to a dozen other films depicting life as a futuristic outlaw to illustrate it. 'The Colony' is a privatized world of surveillance security and total social planning and control by corporations and rich people.
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