The Alpha Test

Is it just me or is the robot the spitting image of Darryl Hannah? This just made the robot even more disturbing than it actually was.

I always try and review a movie based on its budget as well as everything else and this was not too bad compared to some of the utter garbage that is flooding onto Netflix etc lately.

First off; yes the acting is not stellar from most of the participants but the Robot was well acted and performed. I have to disagree with previous reviewers about the sound - no idea where they get the idea that the sound was poor as I did not notice. Don't expect CGI as there isn't any and the blood effects looked like dilute tomato sauce or fired from a paintball gun which I am sure the shotgun effects at the end actually were!

As for the other reviewer comment on "white men" - whoosh that one went way over my head. Just sit back and enjoy the movie and try and not read too much into things that are not there.

Its a brave effort for an ultra low budget and gets a fair 4/10 from me!

Terrible movie in every respect that I've watched so you don't have to. You're welcome :)

This isn't director, writer, producer, cinematographer, editor Aaron Mirtes' first time dabble in filmmaking, but you would think it was.

I get this was obviously put together on a micro budget, but the majority of the flaws could've easily been avoided - even by a 5th grade drama class.

For starters the writing and dialogue was just infantile in some scenes. Many plot and technical issues. The story itself had some opportunity, but that was clearly messed up in the screenplay.

The cinematography was adequate, but Mirtes failed miserably in directing his cast, and had some wacked out camera angles. The score was actually not bad nor overbearing, but the overall sound was shallow and distant. You can rent a couple of boom mics for chump change ya know.

I will however say, that although rudimentary, Alpha's android head was creepy af, and worked really well, especially with the voice and color changing light on the back.

I am disappointed at Mirtes' final cut, especially since I've seen some stellar films from amateur/newb filmmakers lately such as Guns Akimbo, Villain, Blood on Her Name and Foxtrot Six - all new and amateur filmmakers. This film is a generous 3/10 from me.

Despite the terrible acting this movie actually held my attention. Although it ended up getting really bad about half way into it. I still managed to watch it until the end. It kinda reminded me of the recent Child's Play film. The robot could actually learn and had feelings. You could tell where the movie was going from the get go. The robot makes friends with the daughter. Robot gets bullied by the rest of the family. Robot kills family to make daughter happy. Cheesy and predictable. 4 stars! Don't bother..

When I watched this, it had a score of 3.2 stars. Honestly, it's worth more than that.

The acting is not exactly great, although it does seem to get better as it goes through the film. The production values are pretty good (sound, score, camera work etc.. are all good) and any limitations do not get in the way of the story, but does show what can be achieved with a limited budget. The story is a bit predictable, but does have a couple of nice subtle twists.

Overall impression is that I do not regret watching it, but I doubt I would watch it again on my own volition.