terrazygotes-30881

The idea of this film was actually quite good. As others have commented, it used quite a few ideas from other films. That didn't bother me as the story and the physical set-up were adequately done. So what was with all the young, pretty and fecund women running around in an underground base in Antarctica ? And all the stupid sexual innuendo, that started in the very first scene . . . Geez ! Was that for the "not too sharp" girls/women in the audience, who weren't too keen on science, to titter about ? Very, very CRINGE ! ! ! The acting wasn't too fabulous either. Quite adolescent actually. There were a few older actors and a gaggle of "Feds" in Washington, who actually seemed like adults, which were a relief to see. The agricultural scientist, who should have been on a high dose of Xanax, was also very cringe and very annoying to listen to. However, the main idea of the story, about pathogens being a REAL danger from space, was new to me in a movie. The ending was really "corn-ball", and it would have been better, if they had ditched the "happy ending" and stuck with the realistic one. That would have given the audience something serious to think about and remember. I guess Kier Dullea didn't want to be associated with this film, as I didn't see his name in the actors' section.

This movie starts out very well, with great mystery and indications of profound thought. The acting is very good. By mid-way through, it begins to thin out, although it still manages to hold on to quite a bit of suspense. As it approaches the ending it tries to maintain its profundity, but like many movies of this kind, it wavers in its ideas and in the end comes up with a less than satisfying conclusion. I always use the example of "A Cure for Wellness" as a film, that starts out with great mystery and promise, but by the end the writers/film-makers come up empty, unable to create a bold end statement and the film just dissipates into inanity. Possibly "2001: A Space Odyssey" is the only film of this sort, which I have seen, that manages to maintain its powerful message, right until the end. "Alien Code" is however, better than many films in its attempt to stretch our imaginations.

This film brings back memories of "The Usual Suspects". It's a real puzzle, right to the end, with surprises coming along throughout. Very well written script, with excellent acting. Ray Liotta is great, as the lead. Of course, this type of film is a staple for him, and he doesn't disappoint. The other actors, including Jolene Blalock and L. L. Cool J are also very good. The script is quite realistic, hinging on a real estate scam. The story is seen from different individuals' perspectives, which is always interesting and certainly in a twisty tale, like this. Although this isn't a classic film, it certainly is entertaining, with lots of tension, and a great atmosphere.