Film Reviews by JD

Space monsters landing on earth and the military (solely the US it seems) sent to fight them.

Its been tried many times and usually fails, but let give it another spin shall we.

I suppose one thing this film does is not go down the usual sci-fi action route but rather a more anti american anti war drama.

I get the daft inexperienced soldiers. Up for anything, but quickly collapse under pressure (a play on what happened to many unfortunate US servicemen in Vietnam?) The more experienced senior officer is more robust, but slowly breaks down. Again, this sounds like something from Vietnam. Unfortunately we are not shown or have any idea why this toughened old hand does break down. He just does. Maybe its easier to see him as a villain if we dont know everything he has gone through.

The monsters are a side event in there own film. Just there. Again, like the us soldiers there is a clear point to there position in the film but it has no depth, story or purpose except for the director to have his say on... something.

And the locals, we see both sides. The nut jobs and the poor civilians. Yeh, we know - and the point is?

This is more of a commentary on things than any meaningful sci-fi.

like the original monsters, this promises way more than it ever intends to deliver. Its more a film for critics to use big words to explain the deep meaning of rather than hold any entertainment value.

What starts off looking like your typical unwanted guest type film, this starts swinging around pretty quickly as a mixture of all sorts and leaves the viewer unsure exactly whats happening for much of the film.

But while its doing that it is an engaging watch and is even funny at times.

Its not without it flaws, at times its a bit 'really?' but remains highly entertaining throughout. Not sticking to the one genre really does keep you on your toes.

4 stars is perhaps a smidge generous imo, but I enjoyed it enough to think its more of a well worth watching than a 'maybe'!

The first 15 minutes had me playing with my phone, it was totally un-engaging.

Then as things start to happen it becomes more interesting. But note i say interesting - not entertaining.

I love the core idea of this film, the priests, the monster, the use of technology etc.

But they seemed to forget they were making a film to entertain the audience. The film really is a lesson in how to make what appears to be ok film - actually incredibly dull.

Its not like Stuff doesnt happen, its just all done in such a way you dont care.

I would say its worth a watch, just dont blame me if you fall asleep!

I made the mistake of ignoring the reviews and thinking 'how bad can it be?'

Well the answer is very, very, very.

Tip. Believe the reviews on this. Have an early night or something rather than watch this.

By modern standards there is on first glance a lot going against this film today. Not least the extremely slow build up.

However it must be remembered this is the original. A film that spawned countless imitators and copies. Of which only one, the sequel can stand as its equal.

When you consider OBannon and Giger had a massive part to play in the success of this film it says a lot that its Scott who gets the glory. And thats because his direction is utterly masterful.

This film is held together with aerospace grade glue and is near flawless in its execution. And that slow start i mention, like the sequel this is to build the universe and the characters and its done in a way i think few people fully understand or appreciate. Indeed, rumour has it the story of the film is summarised in the opening sequence.

Acting is superb and we have of course Sigourney Weaver acting every bit as well as her character is written.

A fully deserved 5 stars for this one. One of the greatest films ever made and worth watching today more than ever to remove the foul taste of todays garbage from your eyes and ears.

Like its sequel this film is as near flawless as they come.

Oh, it has an alien in and is set in space.

Very clumsily written attempt at horror with Vince Vaughn being the only reason it would get 1 star. His portrayal of a teenage girl is pretty good.

The group of hero's are never under any real threat and those marked for a demise are made very clear early in the film and you could infact group them all together quite easily.

There are jokes, at least i think they are meant to be jokes. Nothing to make you laugh tho, just cheap, badly timed, childish gags.

The film was so bad i thought it some sort of parody, but it isnt. Its just rubbish.

My teenage daughter would love to watch this with her friends, but id advise any adults to give this one a wide berth.

Great idea and a great setting. And there ends the positives.

It looks to me like someone told whoever did this film 'There was a couple of sci fi films where humans went somewhere they shouldnt and got chased by monsters, they were really good'

So these people went off and made there own version off this template. How can you go wrong with the essential ingredients, humans in an alien location and monsters?

Unfortunately, scott, o'bannon, cameron, giger etc are masters of there craft. Where its clear those that made this film arent.

The cast are absolute passangers in what seems a pointless trip. things explode so they move. Something else explodes so they move again. It goes on and on. The film even starts with an explosion. I wont ruin the ending.....

The heroin seems pretty empty. With her short, bleached hair and wandering around in her underwear whenever she isnt under 20tons of pressure she is obviously a modern version of Ripley. But lacking any real kind of motivation or interesting story arc (in both alien films films ripley started off with little control and a bit out of her depth, but as the story passed she grew into a legendry sci fi hero- and not once but they pulled that one twice) here, Kristen starts off as she ends. Her trajectory is flat. Why did she do what she did at the end? Coz she is a great person? Yawn. Is it that hard to find some motivation? (back to Ripley, 1. SHE had to survive. 2. She adopted Becca and had to protect her at all costs)

The whole film is like this, it lacks any thought

It feels like this film should of been a 20minute short for it does. But more than that its incredibly disappointing.

I didnt watch this film first time round as it didnt really take my fancy.

However, with my list running low this got added.

And am i glad it did. The film is just great entertainment. Why dont they make films like this anymore?

Zeta Jones and Banderas have some serious screen presence to which no doubt helps.

Any half decent sci fi is a winner with me, and this sci-fi crime drama action thingy isnt bad.

We have the usual robots take over, bad corporations stuff going on, but its all entertaining enough. And the hero has a decent story to follow as he proven correct but in doing so he has alter his perceptions brought about by a clever introduction to him and his demons.

But what would be a 3 star film gets a free star thanks to our hero/lead.

I rate Will smith as one of the best actors of all time. Im no expert and im sure he isnt a 'great' actor technically. But the guy ooozes charisma and is brilliantly entertaining. He is one of those precious few actors than can get away with being himself in absolutely any role. And as such turns this ok film into a must watch.

I spent much of this film knowing what was going on as ive seen it done in countless other films.

Gives the feeling your the one being conned.

It also feels a bit amateur at times.

However the acting is convincing, one that stands out is that Newman guy. His screen presence is matched only by the likes of Wil Smith, Sean Connery or Harrison Ford.

The film itself while we have all seen it all before is an inoffensive affair. There is no pandering, telling us what to think or box ticking. Its just telling an entertaining story. And something else that stands out is this is pure entertainment. There is no misery to shock the audience and the plot never gets bogged down in over complication. It plays out in a positive fashion so as it closes youll feel happy and satisfied with your 2 hours.

Joking aside, when this film started we werent sure about it, but once you get used to its style and settle into the story it really does stand out as a fantastic film.

Is it right, something so old stands up so well today? Should I remember this film and recommend it to my children when i couldnt name a single one of the countless copies its spawned since?

Probably worthy of more than 3 stars - but its not quite a 4 in my book.

The film shocked me with its year, late 90's. It comes over as older given it looks very, very cheap.

And for those of us used to seeing KR in Carpenter films - this is a very different role. Rather than being some wise crack - here he is virtually silent for the whole film.

But, is that a reason KR was put in the role? To emphasise this silence and strict discipline?

Something that stands out is the basic storytelling and how it sticks to that rule. And thats not a bad thing, it means the film makes sense and it progresses in a logical and meaningful fashion. It invests you in characters with almost no time. It does show many modern films to be complex messes.

This film is better than it appears on the surface and well worth a watch.

Like Will Smith, Nick Cage, Clint Eastwood, Godzilla can make a film worth watching simply for his presence.

And my 3 stars is for that, Godzillas presence. He is an epic beast and to be fair for the most part id say the film does his character justice. He is a huge unstoppable titan that doesnt give 2 turds.

But the film. O dear, what a mess.

The human characters are awful and clearly just bumbling about for a bit of a human story. Its neither useful nor interesting.

Then we have the complete dettachment of reality.

Yes they are big monsters but by throwing people in we need something to relate to, something to give us a clue this is happening on earth.

But nobody cares about the death toll, hundred thousand ton creatures balance on ships, king kong has changed from a large monkey into something that can square upto the mightiest creature in all of film fantasy.

And did i mention human choices rarely make any sense. And the bad guy, is in reality doing a good thing. Dont trust a massive lizard than can destroy cities? He gets my vote!

The previous films were ok in my opinion.

This however has tried to raise the bar in how stupid a film can get. And is about the only things it does well.

Godzilla and his opponents deserve better than this.

I re watched as recommended by a youtuber.

His reason was you watch it once when your young and enjoy the action and sci-fi. But think nothing more.

Then you watch it again, older with wiser eyes and its like a different film.

Indeed, not only is this still thoroughly enjoyable (and trounces almost any modern scifi) it also has wit and humour and clever political messaging (note i say clever, not the clumsy and irritating 'support who i say for or else' messages you get today)

It also completely avoids comparison with Aliens (the king of all action sci-fi). Where any other soldiers v aliens film would almost always copy from or just head down a path which would lead to comparison and a nasty defeat. This seems to skillfully set itself far enough apart to be incomparable.

Probably worthy of 5 stars, but as its not quiet up there with Robocop or Aliens i give it 4. But its a must see 4.

This has a the feeling of an 'alien on earth' type film.

group of people v an unknown entity.

In principle its fine, why not.

But its executed so badly. Its obviously been done on a very small budget but that no excuse for how bad this is. Indeed, after watching darkstar its become apparent to me haivng no budget wont stop a good (ok, carpenter is a bit more than good!) director making a great film.

There are plenty of lingering close ups in perfect light on items out of the costume cupboard re-purposed for monster effects

It also has far to many horrible inconsistences. The creatures senses appear poorly developed, an old woman loads a pistol by forcing bullets into the handle, car issues are scripted and acted out with what is clearly zero mechanical knowledge. (thinking about it i dont think the bullets were even for that particular weapon!)

There is lots of running around and yelling, one of the cast just wimpers all the time.

The creatures itself was interesting on the whole. How it hunted, its method of attack (it looked silly but appears to be a case of deliberate injury) its life cycle. But all of this was just teased and just used to move the story on and give reasons for people to scream. Not increase our knowledge and fear of it.

Youd be better off watching Alien or the thing again (even the original thing come to think of it. Thats a much better film than this)

AER says it perfectly.

All i can add is the family and i unanimously agreed this was one of the worst films we have ever seen. How it got on my list i dont know.