Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1

For a plot summary please look at the start of the page.

Film feel: The exposition and and main part of the movie is eerily similar to the likes of Moon and Oblivion. But in contrast, this film drags on much more because there is no funny dialog or a subplot. The dominant grey-blue colour palette doesn't help either. The film wants to showcase the monotonous and boring routine of the main character but takes it too far and bores the viewer.

The film tries to have a twist ending but is to simple to really pull it off. The story is so bland that one can count the possible endings on two fingers.

If you're a cynic (like me) then you will like the ending. More would be spoiler.

Exposition: 1/10 (if you have seen Oblivion and/or Moon you can skip it) Main Part: 1/10 (too bland and simple) Ending: 6/10 (good ending for cynics; I couldn't stop grinning)

TLDR: if this was a 20 min short film it might have been good. Like this it drags on for 90% of the run time.

The tension it built wasn't bad. The ending was. Left an incomplete taste in my mouth.

My main reasons for seeing 'Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1' were because there are some interesting alien invasion films out there and for Iwan Rheon. Am a big fan of 'Game of Thrones', and, despite not mentioning him a lot when every episode of the show has so many standout moments, great elements and performances, Rheon is very good in it indeed.

'Alien Invasion: S.U.M. 1' unfortunately didn't really deliver. It is far from terrible and has some good things. There are also far worse films, especially fellow films made on a low budget and as an overall whole. Don't even think it is the worst alien invasion film, or one of the worst. It is just one of those films where potential, while not large, was decent, as it was not a bad idea at all even if unoriginal. The execution just didn't work and that is genuinely saddening to say.

Lets start with what 'Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1' does right. Rheon is good and the best thing about it. In fact the acting on the most part is quite competent. Another particularly good asset was the ending, a rare part of the film that stopped the viewer from being completely bored and was actually unexpected and pleasantly surprising. It engaged me while also having me sad that it took so long to get there.

The low budget does show sure. Editing is less than crisp at times, especially in the action-oriented scenes, and the drabness can be taken too far. It is decently shot though and looks pretty atmospheric.

Unfortunately, what 'Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1' does wrong eclipses the good things. The conflict is far from aggressive and has no involvement or menace, it even doesn't look particularly good. The monotony and dullness of the main character's everyday routine is taken too far agreed in the story execution, which is essentially an over-stretched short film with a lot of padding, too much of it unnecessary, and scenes that drag badly with no tension or suspense so to speak. Things do get silly and too much is underdeveloped or left in the air in an incomplete way.

Despite that the acting is not so bad, the characters fail to engage which makes it difficult to like them let alone empathise or relate. The dialogue, which is far too exposition-heavy, is a lot of gibberish rambling and doesn't flow very well, while the more action-oriented scenes are clumsily choreographed and the anti-thesis of thrilling or exciting.

Overall, has its moments (Rheon and the ending coming off best) but very dull on the most part. 4/10 Bethany Cox

Why all the hate? Who knows, really. Go read my reviews, you'll see that I love sci-fi. Particularly of the low-budget kind, so "sum1" is right up my alley. Is it mind-blowing? Nope. Is it fast-paced? Nope. But I don't mind slow-paced movies, so it held my interest, and the tension really ratchets up as it goes along. I also have a fondness for rats, so that may help too. They make great pets actually,. Though they are indeed smelly.

I can't say much about the plot, only that it is well enough executed, and well-paced. If you don't like single location movies with a slower plot, why would you watch this? I recommend that you don't. I will say, I was wrong in my guess at how it would end, and as another viewer said, there aren't many choices. It is a mystery, and it does well at that. It doesn't over explain things, and it leaves a lot of questions by the end. It answers enough of those questions, however, that I feel it satisfies the mystery that was built up.

The acting is well-done, so no faults there. The script is good enough, the sets are well-done, the cinematography is good, sound is good, technically, this is a good movie. Your enjoyment of it, again will hinge on whether you enjoy movies that are in one location, with very little seemingly happening, if you're not, I'd avoid this one.

It's easy to see why most give this movie low reviews....Because most prefer something that's "easy to see". This movie works well for it's intended purpose, which is to provoke the viewer to consider that some ideas, trains of thought, and yes, conspiracies, are not what we think. The movie shines a dark spot light on a metastasizing problem in society today; Distrust in our fellow man. Isolation often invites dysfunction. In a world where truth is often stranger than fiction, and society seems hell bent on twisting itself like an attention starved contortionist, to imitate "art".....it's rather refreshing to see sci-fi creations that skillfully employ uncomfortable prospects as a vehicle for introspection. The movie is metaphorical on various levels which serve to challenge the slumbering gate keepers of both the open and closed minded alike.

This movie makes you really think. Those that like to think that they're thinking, (and you don't know who you are) need not apply.

"They Live" this ain't. But the movie's got legs.

You'll See.

Maybe...