Wavelength

An unemployed musician and his psychic girlfriend stumble on a government conspiracy involving experiments on child-like aliens in this sci-fi themed paranoia thriller from 'China Syndrome' screenwriter Mike Gray. The film is powered through by a perfectly brooding Tangerine Dream music score and haunting sound effects and Robert Carradine makes for a sympathetic lead. The choice to have young boys play the decades-old aliens works very well too; there are some great sequences in which they travel through the city with childhood wonderment in their eyes and yet adult restraint, content to just observe. The midsection of the film is nevertheless rather weak as focus turns away from Carradine and the aliens to focus on government figures debating what to do. This departure serves a purpose as it highlights how there are no real antagonists in the tale: all the government want to do is learn about these creatures and prevent panic in the general public, however, the government figures never make for interesting characters. The film also has some irksome narration to begin with but thankfully this soon disappears. 'Wavelength' might not be a perfect motion picture, but it is very well crafted as far as low to medium budget science fiction films go, and its descent into obscurity over the years is sad but understandable. Critics of the film are all too eager to jump on its similarities to 'E.T.' and 'Starman', but this is a film that deserves to be judged on its own terms - especially since it was written before 'E.T.' and released before 'Starman' came out!

Those of us lucky enough to catch it on late-night HBO when it first came out were strangely touched by it (especially those of us not so jaded as to be put off by the low-budget production or b-movie feel).

The screen presence of Robert Carradine and Cherie Currie...the steady flow of understated and beautifully filmed scenes...the mesmerizing music of Tangerine Dream at their best.

This film is a synergy of several elements that came together to create a rare kind of sci-fi film magic. It has a meditative feel that is sadly absent from most films today, and while it may not have mega-buck mass appeal, it is well worth tuning into Wavelength.

You can count on one hand the number of "aliens on earth" movies that are well made since the 1980's. "Wavelength", with a plot containing a few elements of several other sci-fi movies, pulls off an intriguing look into why we seem to have no knowledge of alien contact--only our ever increasing suspicions. The short length is perfect, as you care about the characters but don't have to wade through more-than-enough exposition to reach the thrilling denouement. However, if you go in expecting a big-bucks budget and effects you will not get your fill. Instead, enjoy the cast who carry off the narrative through good chemistry and solid, non-flashy acting. The director/screenwriter has given them a sci-fi film with plenty to work with, including an eye-popping finale. As other reviewers have previously noted, the Tangerine Dream filmscore is excellent, too. It is a shame that this little gem isn't available in a widescreen DVD format yet. Catch it some other way when you can.

After viewing this film for the first time (and with an open mind), I feel the need to defend it against the general naysayers who condemn it, claiming that it is nothing but a rip-off. Unfortunately, this film has just about been buried by several bad reviews, and the fact that "E.T." was released just prior to this film, didn't help it, either.

The fact is, it's nearly 20 years down the line, and people are still comparing it to "E.T.". I certainly don't feel that this is a rip-off of "E.T.", nor do I feel that it bears much resemblance. It may be true that this film was made with the intent to cash in on the alien/science-fiction trend of that period, but then again, when doesn't that happen in Hollywood? If we are going to compare films about extra-terrestrials, then this one ranks more closely to Steven Spielberg's earlier accomplishment, "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND".

Overall, I enjoyed this film. Robert Carradine and Cherrie Currie (of The Runaways fame) turn in some solid performances, which rise above most films of this caliber. Keenan Wynn, reprising his usual stubborn old man role, is always worth watching. Tangerine Dream provides the music for the film, and as usual, their score is especially effective, and works best in the most critical areas.

One has to appreciate the intelligence that the film has, which clearly indicates that this was not just another "hatchet-job" rushed effort, that some would suspect.

The end result is, by no means, tremendous. But, this film is extremely underrated, and is at the very least, worthwhile entertainment.

If you get a chance, give it a shot.

Substituted for expensive, spine-tingling special-effects, are an engaging story and credible performances, particularly from Cherie Currie. If you like seeing what a capable independent filmmaker can do with a limited budget - I recommend this film.