I have never been a big fan of “classic†sci-fi films. As a result I never really watched films like the original Day The Earth Stood Still or War of the Worlds. Instead, when I decided to watch old sci-fi movies, I made sure the name Ed Wood or the words Mystery Science Theater were attached. For some reason, I always preferred the really cheesy B-movies that were so bad they were good. I proudly own a Plan 9 From Outer Space/Robot Monster 2 pack, which was sold as “The Worst Double Feature Ever†DVD set. A few years ago a film called The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra came out, which was an incredibly awesome and very funny spoof of those types of films. When I saw the trailer for Alien Trespass, I thought it looked like another spoof, this time in Wonderfully Astounding Technicolor. I was wrong.
Alien Trespass is not a spoof. It is instead a mimic of the bigger budgeted sci-fi films of the 50’s. The story is not a parody or remake but instead unique or at least as unique as an old-fashioned alien story could be. It uses the same film techniques and the actors utilize the same acting style of the 50’s. In fact, the film takes place in 1957 and the film does little to prove it was not filmed shortly thereafter. Admittedly, I cannot compare the more technical stuff since I never really watched the older films but other than the too good for the era picture quality and the known actors, this film sold me on the idea that it could have been made in the late 50’s/early 60’s. For most films that is an insult but that is a compliment with Alien Trespass since that was always the intention.
Since it is so old-fashioned, most younger viewers today will get bored with it. The film is slow moving and there is not much action. There are also not a lot of jokes given to the audience. What I mean by that is while there are occasionally a few wisecracks made by the characters, most of the humor is meant to come from unintentional sources just like the films of the 50’s. Lines that are so bad they are funny, cheesy effects, and dumb character stereotypes were taken seriously so that they would be considered funny to the modern audience. As a result, R.W. Goodwin intentionally scatters this “unintentional†humor throughout the film. It is an interesting concept and works for the most part, although the movie could have had a lot more of it.
Taking these situations seriously results in some funny jokes but at times the film is too serious. Goodwin said that he hopes the film is fun and also scary at points but I did not find the film scary at all. I don’t think many people will. However, fans of classic sci-fi should love this film because it perfectly captures a long lost style of film. Regardless of my youth, I still found the movie to be very funny at times. The monster looks ridiculous and Eric McCormack has a lot of fun in his given role(s). In fact, all of the actors are pretty god in their roles. The locations, props and everything else look completely authentic.
Overall, I found the movie enjoyable but it could have been much better. Then again, I would have rather seen a spoof of b-movies than an actual attempt at making one. In that regard, the film absolutely succeeds. In the late 50’s this film would have been one of the biggest movies of all time. In fact I would probably be writing a review of the remake right now instead if the film came out then. It is clear this movie was made for nostalgic purposes and any b-movie lovers should go see it. For everyone else, it is a fun little movie but nowhere near as fun as it could have been if the film was a spoof of the genre.
‘Alien Trespass’ [PG] opens today in select cities.
[Rating: 2.75 out of 5 tentacles]
Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com
