Alien Trespass

Aien Tresspass is in my opinion a genuine horror movie: not only does it belong to the tradition of horror films in the broad sense of the term but it is a modern recreation of a genre that is pure horror cinema: films meant to scare the audience. This is particularly true of the American films of the 50s that came into existence within context of the Cold War and the possibility of a nuclear war. The ideological confrontation between two "alien" worlds was simply transposed in a S-F kind of setting. This is the innocent homage to that outmoded genre that this film is modestly offering us, succeeding, at any rate, in lighting it up with a delicious vintage flair. I absolutely recommend it.

For a moment I thought I was really back in my teen-age 1957, the big-finned cars, the flouncy dresses, the sci-fi saturated drive-ins. Okay, I'm nostalgic, but it really is a good flick, well acted, produced and written; plus, entertaining all the way through. So how will space-ranger Urp defeat the man-eating Ghota whose flying saucer has crashed into the North American desert. Good thing Urp borrows Dr. Lewis's body if not his hormones. At the same time, the village towns-people have to overcome their disbelief in alien space craft and shape-shifting monsters. What with all those vulnerable blonde cuties, I was really worried.

There are touches of satirical humor trading on 50's sci-fi, but the flick's too well rounded to qualify as just a spoof. In many ways, however, it does suggest a version of 1951's The Day The Earth Stood Still, from the latter's metal clad Gort to Klaatu's cosmic police force. However that may be, I was grabbed by that suburban house and its grassy yard sitting alone and in the middle of the immense desert, like a surrealist illusion. Actually, it's likely meant to show Lewis and wife's middle-class status among the town's backwoods types. And how about the parallel theatre scene with the panicked audience from 57's The Blob. It's an imaginative touch tying in with both AT's plot and the time period. Sure, the movie's gangly monsters are on the silly looking side, at least before they reduce you to goo. Still, it's an imaginative and well-done sci-fi, and a tribute to its 50's predecessors.

A 2009 "Creature Feature" film that perfectly captures another time in Hollywood.

I have not seen any interviews with the director, but it seems very obvious to me that this is not a comedy. Yes, by today's standards there is a lot to laugh about, but if you watched some of the flicks it is paying TRIBUTE to, for example It Came From Outer Space (1953), today's 20somethings would be laughing their guts out at them as well.

Granted, the eyeball monster seems to be going into the spoof direction, but once again, there were some very silly movies in the 50s.

Call it what you like, but Alien Trespass is one of my favourite 21st century sci-fi movies! Not since Titanic (1997) can I think of a flick that did such a great job of capturing another time! And the movie is just plain fun.

Just love the vintage cars - a good part of the budget must have been spent on renting them out!

This Movie does not Make Fun of Itself. The Movie Itself is Fun. A Completely Straight Rendition of a 1950's Sci-Fi Movie that is a Loving Homage. There is some Inherent Humor Culled from the Zeitgeist of the Time and it Looks Gorgeous.

A Film that Time-Travels to a Distant and by Now a Completely Foreign Land, that of America Circa 1957 where Wives Wear Pearls while Cooking Breakfast. It is a Smart Movie that is Hardly Witty or Clever it just goes about its Business of Making a Movie as it might have been made when things like this were being Made for the Matinée Crowd and Drive-Ins.

It's Entertaining and a Love for the Fifties Sci-Fi, the Very Good Ones along with the Cheapies and the Utterly Exploitive, will Benefit the Viewing Experience. All the Cast Hits the Right Note and the SFX are Impressive at Recreating the Limitations of the Era.

Overall, a Must See for Movie Buffs with Wide Appeal Unlikely. But if You Love this Stuff there is Much to Love in this Little Take on a Time and Place that will Never Again Exist Except in Nostalgic Memories and for that this One Deserves Applause.

If you are looking for a sci-fi that doesn't rely on big name actors to suck you into the theater, doesn't have endless explosions and car chases, doesn't rush into the story without developing characters, and doesn't have any men in black, then "Alien Trespass" is for you. It kind of reminds me of the retro zombie movie, "Fido", with it's flawless attention to 50s period detail. It is what it is, and if you grew up on a steady diet of 1950s sci-fi, you will appreciate the film. If on the other hand you are addicted to c.g.i. extravaganzas, this is not going to be a pleasant viewing experience at all. If minimalist 50s entertainment is to your liking, I recommend "Alien Trespass". Sometimes less is best. - MERK