ADN Alien

Okay, first off, this is a Sci-Fi original. So that tells us right of the bat that this isn't exactly going to be The Empire Strikes Back. However, it did have a few good points. For example, the movie was very loyal. Whoever wrote the script knew what they where talking about, that being bugs of course. Also, the acting and effects where good in the main categories. There where also some creative twists and excellent camera work. Yet, as I said before, this isn't exactly Star Wars.

First of all, there was some pretty cheesey dialogue. Also, not the most gripping plot line. In my opinion the story kind of falls flat on it's face after the first hour or so. The ending was not at all well done. It just seemed like it was thrown together at the last possible second. Rather anti-climatic if you ask me. But then again, there wasn't much to build up on.

There's nothing much to discuss. This starts out okay, for about ten minutes, and then proceeds to get worse moment by moment. An astronaut in space is hit by small "meteorites" that turn out to be of alien insect origin and upon returning to Earth, they leave this man alone in a regular hospital with the window open. No quarantine, no security, no special attention at all. Then, two of three people who know that this is an alien life form that has not only killed the astronaut, but has also escaped through the open window, then proceed to go kayaking and biking. And this is just the beginning of the illogical parts. However, the most annoying & mystifying aspect of this is that the interesting and talented Nicholas Lea can't get better parts than this. I don't get it. Everyone I know was impressed and/or intrigued with him in The X-Files, but he never capitalized on it. What a shame.

If you can accept the very odd premise, this is a pretty well-done and entertaining horror/sci-fi effort. After being struck in the arm by meteor particles, an astronaut is brought back home to a hospital, where he comes down with a fever, blurred vision and an infected hand. He dies, his finger tips split open and a swarm of moths (!) escape out the window. At a 4th of July barbecue, suburban father Frank (who has a beer-swilling, unfaithful wife, bitchy redneck sister-in-law and two kids) is attacked and eventually turned into an emotionless killer complete with long, clawed appendages that come out of his sides to grab people. He injects digestive fluids into victims and then sucks out their liquefied internal organs (mmm!) with a hollow tube that comes out of his mouth. He is also overseeing an ever-growing army of similar alien-possessed who are hiding out in a basement waiting to strike. Police are baffled finding dozens of dead bodies with broken necks, dislocated jaws and sunken in chests, but NASA chief medical examiner Jerome "Geronimo" Throrn (Nicholas Lea), tough entomologist Savannah Bailey (Jamie Luner) and others uncover a string of clues (starting with insect-like alien DNA taken from the astronaut) that they need to piece together to save the entire country. See, word has spread to other countries, who have threatened to blow the U.S. off the map with nuclear weapons if the menace isn't quickly contained! Bizarre story, some surprise plot twists, entertaining characters and good chemistry (and performances) by talented leads Lea and Luner make it enjoyable.

While repairing a spacecraft, an astronaut is perforated in the arm by a tiny meteor. Once back in Houston, he stays in the hospital for a further examination. Along the night, he breeds some sort of alien moths that attack people with B-negative blood type, transforming them in creatures with claws. Dr. Jerome 'Geronimo' Horne (Nicholas Lea) and Dr. Savannah Bailey (Jamie Lurner) have forty-eight hours for finding a way of destroying the aliens, otherwise Houston will be completely bombed to limit the outbreak.

"Threshold" is a non-original sci-fi movie with the usual clichés, and with a storyline that mixes "The Astronaut's Wife", "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "Alien" and other sci-fi of the 50's and 60's. The ham Nicholas Lea is awful, the effects are very poor, and in the end it is a watchable flick for killing time only. The conclusion suggests a sequel that fortunately has not been filmed. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Invasores" ("Invaders")

During a space mission, an astronaut gets enveloped by some sort of cloud that is carrying alien insect DNA. He is infected, brought back to Earth, and soon gives birth to a multitude of moth-like beings that are intent on taking over the world. The two moronic humans who are supposed to help solve the problem through their research are military doctor "Geronimo" Horne (Nicholas Lea, who made his name playing Agent Krycek on 'The X-Files') and entomologist Savannah Bailey ('Melrose Place' / 'Just the Ten of Us' hottie Jamie Luner).

'Threshold' is standard-issue made-for-television genre fare. Granted, the premise of intelligent alien moths on a "take over the world" mission should make for reasonably engaging cheese, and the movie is surprisingly absorbing in the early going, with the filmmakers taking themselves fairly seriously. The story is watchable for a while, until the amount of ridiculous characters (and performances) and ridiculous moments in the script start to weigh too heavy.

Lea, who doesn't look like he gives much of a damn, is an uninspired hero. Luner, ordinarily fine eye candy, seems to have been made to look as dowdy as possible, presumably to make her at least somewhat passable in the role of a scientist. But the plot becomes less and less interesting as it goes on, it's treated with precious little enthusiasm, and it doesn't end with very much of a bang.

At least it has a few priceless moments when infected humans "bug out" and attack others, and some "ewww" inducing moments that are effective. The CGI, overall, is not the worst you'll ever see.

Five out of 10.