So, the trailers have been selling us big things. Everyone was excited about Gort and his terrible powers. How would they change the story and if they did would it work?
Well, TDTESS works, just. It seems to jump right into the action and sets itself up as if we are in for a two hour bout of all out action (see War of the Worlds) but then shifts gear almost as quickly down into a slow burner. The pace of the film is what it suffers most from. We get slow character moments immediately cut short into action flurry's that are over far too quickly. Gort holds magnificent potential but is wasted and after it we all agreed that even one good scene of Gort kicking ass would have slaked our thirst for more action.
Jennifer Connelly is always ace but this isn't her best turn, but i'd say that is more to do with an unpolished script than anything. Keanu is very good in the role as Alien Klaatu (i was always a fan but he really does inhabit the role) and is excellent when he is in nasty mode.
Jaden Smith (Will Smiths kid) is the worst thing in this film, not the kids fault but his character is so bloody annoying that you are desperate for someone to give him a slap for most of the film.
Plotwise it's pretty straight forward. Aliens land on earth, disaster looms over the planet and mankind's existence is threatened. There is a nice twist on the original tale at this point, nothing too shocking but the threat on mankind doesn't come from the most obvious place. The concept of the story/backstory is fascinating but sadly not (as so much of the film) is not explored.
Overall this is a good film, not amazing but a good nights entertainment, even though alot of potential in the film is missed over.
3.5 Stars
Thursday, 11 December 2008