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

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)

In recent months, I've discovered the enjoyment of tuning in to dreadful Sci Fi Channel movies while folding laundry or doing other household chores. Lately I've indulged in such gems as "Frankenfish" and "Mansquito." This movie was, unexpectedly, a creature of a different color. "Alien Apocalypse" is completely aware that it's over the top. It reveals its intelligence in such scenes as Bruce Campbell's hilarious defense/explanation of becoming a Doctor of Osteopathy, as well as in its winking references to "The Wizard of Oz" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." The dreadfully unconvincing wigs/beards, the resolute marching single-file across the landscape in quest of The President, the Raquel Welchesque outfit worn by one female character, the fact that there appear to be fewer than two dozen (pretty fragile, as it turns out!) Giant Termite Aliens...are all part of the joke.

And, at the risk of giving too much weight to this light-weight effort, I thought it provided a bit of commentary about those who collaborate with occupying forces.

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! :-)

But what can I say....it had Bruce Campbell in it and and the aliens had green blood! The special effects were very poor, but amusing, the acting ranged from Monty python over the top poor to campy to very sarcastic from B. Campbell. Still Bruce just oozes charisma it a very weird way and he is always watchable.

The dialog is corny at best.The violence with the exception of a shooting near the beginning is all cartoon-like in its execution.

I really can not recommend this to mainstream viewers, they will not like it. But (B)Si-Fi fans, Bruce Campbell fans and people who like very silly waste of time movies will enjoy this.