Extraterrestrial

This was quite a good film, I enjoyed it for what it was. A low budget film using a sci-fi template to tell another story. There are only about 4 or 5 actors in the film, meaning its much like a play, with most of the film taking place inside of an apartment.

There were some interesting characters in this, with some funny moments and I liked all of the actors, especially the main two. The plot moved along well and surprised me a little. Most importantly, I was never bored.

I must also mention that I became aware of this film from watching the director Nacho Vigalondo's other film Timecrimes, which I enjoyed even more so. He is a good writer/director and very original. (I must seek out his next film: Open Windows next.)

Overall Opinion: Good low budget film, certainly worth a watch, and make sure to seek out Timecrimes also.

There are so many great films coming out lately from around the world. What's crazy is that some of the ones that get the most praise don't always connect with everyone. The Spanish made film Extraterrestrial is the latest meeting this criteria, but also sports the sci-fi comedy genre that gives it the unique opportunity to deliver something new to the genre, but can it make it work or will it just be a wasted invasion.

Extraterrestrial follows a guy and girl as they wake up from an apparent one night stand only to find out that the world is full of UFO's. As if that wasn't enough, they have to deal with the girl's boyfriend and the creepy neighbor which might be even more trouble than the invasion. On the surface this movie works pretty well, but overall it misses the mark at times. The cast is great and do a great job bouncing off the clever dialogue to create a dry funny overall film. What takes somewhat away from this movie is the UFO aspect. While this does set up some reasoning behind the bigger story for them to play off of, it really serves little to no purpose for the film itself. There is nothing ever really done with it other than being a back drop and makes the final experience seem a bit lacking. Another major issue is the ending. It builds up with all the tensions and issues with all involved only to just kind of end with little to no resolution.

Believe it or not this is an entertaining movie that should have been way better than it was. Overall once it ends, it just feels like it was all for nothing since nothing ever really happens. If you're looking for something a bit different then this movie will entertain and do the job, just be sure to steer clear of the expectations of the sci-fi aspect. Be warned, this is a subtitled movie so unless you speak Spanish be prepared to read.

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This film uses the appearance of a flying saucer in the sky as a MacGuffin to move along a plot about relationship and infidelity. A still image of the saucer above a building is the extent of the effects in this film and also pretty much the extent of the issue of any real extra terrestrials. In an attempt to cover the aforementioned infidelity, the two main characters create lies that are detrimental to one of the colorful side characters. People over-react to situations and generally create that indie film quirky mayhem we are familiar with that is outside of actual reality. There are many questions that remain unanswered because the film is only focused on this little group of four people and their relationship issues. Ms. Jenner is a pleasure to watch if only because she is so darned pretty. The ending leaves one a bit unsatisfied.

If you go in to this extraterrestrial invasion film expecting extraterrestrials or aliens, well, you're going to be disappointed.

As with other films by the fascinating director Nacho Vigalondo, Extraterrestrial takes a sideways view of a pulp genre. The movie starts flying saucers over Madrid, but the movie isn't about them but about how four people who didn't evacuate cooperate and contend with one another.

It is not true, as some people say, that "nothing happens." Plenty happens, but it's all comedic human drama full of lies and schemes and things going wrong.

If you want to see an alien invasion movie, this isn't one. But if you'd like to see an ingenious and engaging movie about people, this is a good choice.

After I saw Vigalondo's Colossal I set out to see all his other movies. This is the last one. I really hope he's working on something new!

The Woody Allen of Science Fiction -as the critic/director Jason Reitman writes- brings us another amazing film titled ¨Extraterrestrial¨ . Everyone knows what to do if one morning the sky would be absolutely full of UFOs : run as fast as you can . The picture deal with an amusing situation : what would happen if the saucer invasion started while you are in the flat of the girl of your dreams ? . As Julio (Julian Villagran , recently Goya winner for his acting in Grupo 7) didn't remember go home with her , as Julia (Michelle Jenner , a successful young actress who has recently starred Isabel La Catolica) didn't mention her boyfriend named Carlos (Raul Cimas) and the neighbor named Angel (Carlos Areces , Eloy De La Iglesia's usual) has gone crazy . But none of them expected the Alien invasion . Meanwhile , TV communicates : Please stay calm and remain in your homes .

The picture relatively succeeds because of the thriller , humor , plot twists , suspense , as well as a twisted written script delving into the starring paranoia in such extreme situation . There is a science-fiction premise doesn't have to dominate a story's narrative. Instead it can serve as an interesting backdrop that casts familiar characters in a new light and gives alternative motivations for what would be otherwise commonplace events . Despite low budget the movie manages to be intelligent , intriguing but also a little bit boring . Following a similar vein in Nacho Vigalondo's Time crimes (2006) , in this recent film titled Extraterrestre (2011) , examines the fallout of a one-night stand in the context of an alien invasion . The same kind of lies are told and the same rash decisions made to cover up the infidelity , but the paranoia of potential aliens among them heightens every emotion and lends comedy to some situations where there'd be none . The final result is an offbeat dramedy that's captivating , in spite of not being all that fun or especially thought-provoking . The good thing about this film is that the director made it on a shoestring budget only having to do a few sets , yet the movie works on many levels but is constantly reconfigured . Casting is frankly well , giving fine performances , though little known with exception of Michelle Jenner and Julian Villagran . Thrilling and suspenseful musical score by Jorge Magaz . Colorful and appropriate cinematography by Jon Dominguez .

This motion picture relatively cheap was tautly written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo in his second movie , his first was the international hit titled ¨Time crimes¨ with Karra Errejalde . Nacho is a good young filmmaker , a little prolific director because he is usually writer for television and shorts filmmaker , he has only realized two films and nowadays is in post-production of ¨Open windows¨ with Elijah Wood and Sasha Grey . ¨Extraterrestrial¨ is without a doubt a weird , mysterious and comedy film to be liked for Science-Fiction and suspense fans , turning out to be one of the most original Spanish movies of the last years , though pretty inferior its predecessor ¨Time crimes¨. Rating : 5'5 . Acceptable and passable .