The Christmas Martian

It may be confusing, and it may be a bit strange, but I recorded The Christmas Martian off TV years ago - it was an instant classic! I just love the funny effects used (such as a handheld floating device which resembles a match stick!).

I can't completely explain why I like this film so much, but it's just so funny!

Anyone who likes stupid films (films which were intended to be for children, but no-one can understand) should definitely see this!

I'll echo someone else's comments. I grew up with this movie. Much like watching the Grinch cartoon and listening to the Norad report tracking Santa, this movie was watched whenever it was on the TV. Campy...yes. Low budget...yes. but enjoyable because of the bad makeup, poor special effects and everything hokey. Saw it again last year on a visit back to Canada and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Well, it has been a very long time since I have seen this film. In fact it is so long ago that my memory of it is probably more filled with nostalgia rather than reality. But that is probably a good place to begin. If I were 4 or 5 years old as I was when I saw the picture I would seriously impress upon you the qualities of this film. Thinking about it now I am not to sure why?

What I remember is strange events - People flying around on giant match sticks, odd coloured sweets, a strange alien sort of chap and a snowy Canadian landscape. And also the fact that I really enjoyed it at the time (Christmas). Often when you manage to catch a hold of things from your childhood they are not as well made as you remember them, but, if it really sticks in your mind they must have got something right other than just glossy special effects we now come to expect. I would definitely recommend this film as I guess the makers good intentions and hardy endeavours were matched by the resulting unique Christmas fantasy.

An odd little film which anticipates "E.T." with its story of a friendly alien who is hunted by the local law enforcers but befriended by two children who help him repair his flying saucer. This slight story is bolstered by plenty of shots of people driving around on snowmobiles and shots of the snowy landscape which means the film often resembles a tourist travelogue. Still it is one of the only SF films made in the French Canadian region which gives it a slight curiosity value.

The alien resembles a circus clown whose make up was devised by Andy Warhol. He indulges in some lame slapstick and low key alien behaviour which confuses the local adults and delights their children. This film has a warm fuzzy feel to it which stops me being particularly vitriolic about it, but I can't seriously recommend it to anyone either due to the rather slow pace and predictability of the whole affair.

I've often wondered if the scene/ concept of creating a trail of Smarties/M&M's candies to lead the alien was copied from this movie by Spielberg in E.T. It's just such a glaring similarity!!