Alienoid

Messy but entertaining Korean hybrid-genre from Choi Dong-hoon. Took a while to understand its concept and get to know a lot of characters. Star-studded cast crafted a deft mix of high-octane action and character-driven comedy to kept us all on hold for part two.

There are so many ideas mixed together in this movie and a lot of it does work. But it works mostly when it's a goofy action movie where aliens, magic and time travel come together with all its craziness. Every time the movie tries to be serious, it falters.

The one-note characters and it being just part 1 ending in a cliffhanger is not a big help either. While I did enjoy a lot of it and appreciate a lot of the ideas used, the bad parts were painstakingly bad. I would definitely be interested in a better executed version of these concepts. There's so much in it that is not fully explained and only would be explained in a sequel.

The must see movie of this genre is Fyodor Bondachuk's 2017 Russian movie, Attraction. It's on many streaming platforms. The 2022 Korean Alienoid seems inspired by Attraction. What Alienoid has going for it is very good on-set morale; it's fun. Its verve, snappy dialogue, committed acting and stunts and lots of creative scenes make it watchable TV.

The VFX are stellar. The middle part of Alienoid is a Terminator vs. Terminator battle in a city with impeccable post-production values. There's also a Mission Impossible stunt reference.

As with many foreign sci-fi and fantasy movies, even with very committed acting as you have here, a series of action scenes strung together, does not add up to a blockbuster. To really pop, the characters have to have an arc of development which fuels their passion.

If you are a person who couldn't sit still for more than 2 hours, this might not be your cup of tea! But if you could, all the acts, comedies, sceneries, CGIs, and story-lines won't dissapoint you. I got sceptical at first, but more than satisfied at the end of the movie. I suggest to watch it in the cinema (especially 4D) so you'll have more remarkable experience. Can't wait for Alienoid Part 2!

I like the movie, even though at the beginning and the middle it was shown 2 different timelines and made me confused, but in the end it was explained too. I like the male and female (i forgot their names) acting, the one who has a mirror. And part 2 will air next year. Can't wait.