Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1

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...

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.

I have enjoyed this movie. I got to watch it not expecting anything from it - in fact, I came across it by chance, having never heard of it before. Maybe that was the key in appreciating it (by not setting expectations too high). Anyway, you need to like psychological, slow-paced, rather contemplative pieces of work to feel at ease watching this one. True, action is sometimes redundant and the pace could have been a bit faster, but overall, this film takes you to the point where you need to make up your own mind: is the soldier actually getting mad, or is the threat real? The ending, of course, gives the answer. But I have liked the suspense, not knowing which one is the right one - although plenty of clues are provided regularly if you watch carefully. Yeah, the ending's really good, if not too short. Overall, the film can not be ranked among cheap movies. Although it was probably shot on a shoestring budget, that doesn't show. But to enjoy it, the trick is that you really need to be patient, which may turn off a number of viewers.

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 not as bad as the reviews make out, I've seen far worse films which I've been unable to watch to the end with higher ratings. Ok it is a little slow, especially the first 30mins and the CGI at the beginning isn't great. But it's got an interesting story, excellent acting and a good twist at the end which was totally unexpected but in a good way. Give it a go, sure it's not to Oblivion standards but it's definitely worth a watch.