Alien Apocalypse

I'm a Bruce Campbell fan from way back. While I'm not what some would consider a Deadite (rabid fans of Campbell's 'Evil Dead' films by the great Sam Raimi), I am an admirer of those flicks. Bruce Campbell is the best thing to happen to horror-comedy ever. Period.

He must have owed somebody a lot of money to be coerced into putting his name on this.

'Alien Apocalypse,' another in a long string of horrible made-for-cable movies for the US Sci-Fi Channel, is second only to 'Space Mutiny' as the worst science fiction movie ever made. The sets, costumes, makeup, dialogue, acting (God, the acting), and the production values (or lack thereof) all combine to make this so-bad-it's-hilarious. Made for a lunch-money budget, it smacks of public-access cable production values, and acting quality that would embarrass Ed Wood. Bruce Campbell in this movie is like having Marlon Brando in a "Porky's" sequel.

Looking at this film on the surface, it's a mish-mash of 'Independence Day' and 'Planet of the Apes.' Call it, "The Evil Alien Dead," if it helps you. The problem is, not even Campbell is all that good in this movie. A faint echo of Ash (Campbell's hero character from the Evil Dead films), Dr. Ivan Hood is a character best left in the bottom of the trash barrel. Campbell in this role is like a Renaissance painter being asked to create a portrait of dogs playing poker, while sitting naked on toilets. Okay, dogs don't generally wear clothes, but you see where I'm coming from. It's just bad.

Don't watch it on cable, don't record it, don't wait for it to be released on DVD. Believe the hype. It's bad. It's real bad.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

You can thank me later.

• T

Now, let's look at the plot line - astronauts come back to earth after stasis and find humans enslaved and the planet being ruled by giant alien cockroaches. To some of us, it just doesn't get any better than this!

Nobody in their right mind is going to take Alien Apocalypse seriously, and those who want to watch it will do so regardless of reviews that deplore plot holes, bad effects, and poor acting. Get a life! It's supposed to be this way!

I thought the effects hilarious (the alien Cockroaches are too much!), and the acting suitably over the top. The film editing is excellent, and the Cockroaches' decapitation of victims as hors d'oeuvres has got to be seen to be believed. This movie doesn't try to be campy, but just silly. It's Larry, Curley and Moe for the boomers!

So grab some pretzels, a brew or two, a couple of good friends and just howl. Hey, it's got Bruce Campbell in it, and it's a hoot! Enjoy! :-)

Movie is low budget, but fun. Predictable, yes....but hey, it's a fun, silly little movie.

Bruce does movies like this and this is another example of his style. They shot the thing in like 2 weeks. All in all I had fun with this movie and enjoyed it.

I liked Renee in her spacesuit, the native babe in rags that thought she knew the good doctor, HOT HOT HOT.

Sure alittle blood in the movie and a few guys get their heads bitten off, but it's not done in a really messy, gory sort of way. Hec I'd let my 10yr old and 2 yr old watch it. There is enuf in this movie to keep everyone happy......as long as you don't think of it as a SERIOUS movie.

All in all thumbs up! :)

Tarl

Are you a fan of Bruce Campbell? Don't ask who that is ... or if you do, maybe this isn't for you. But go ahead and search for him and his work ... maybe you'll get to see something you like. So this movie is bad - by any measurement. But it has Bruce Campbell in it ... and him being ... well Bruce Campbell! If you like that you may add a point to my rating I reckon.

Otherwise the very low production values and the "story" will not really entice you. Not to mention the silly jokes. But they are the ones that keep this afloat. Well them and some costume choices of some of the females in here I suppose (depending on your taste of course)

Crazy and goofy sci-fi/horror/comedy set in a near future on an earth over-run by human-sized insect-aliens in search for... wood! This movie gains quite some points because of Bruce Campbell, who is at his campy best in this one, playing (in a way similar to his Ash character from "Army Of Darkness") an astronaut/doctor turning into the unexpected hero on a quest to save the earth. All of the supporting cast seem to be deliberately trying to act as bad as possible AND wearing some of the worst long hair wigs in movie history. But the movie itself is pretty fun to watch, never tedious. And very important: It succeeds in what it sets out to do, and its ambitions don't really go beyond anything else than putting a dumb smile on your face. The special effects in general are much better than they ought to be in this type of flick. The only advice I can give: Know beforehand what you're about to watch, then you don't have to complain afterwards.