Skyline (Universal Pictures)
A Mess of a Movie
Skyline is one of those movies that doesnt appear to have a clue as to where it is going or why. It has a pretty intriguing premise but it doesnt know what to do with it. So when the ending comes, and what a lame ending it is, the movie just collapses in on itself.
The film starts with a couple named Jarrod and Elaine (Eric Balfour and Scottie Thompson) visiting his best friend Terry (Donald Faison) in Los Angeles. They have only been there a short time when mysterious things begin to happen. Dark Clouds appear in the sky and bright lights fall to earth.
Soon enough it appears this is an alien invasion and a hostile one at that. Jarrod, Elaine, Terry and Terrys friends Candice (Brittany Daniel) and Denise (Crystal Reed) try to devise a plan to escape. They are high up in a condo full of apartments and can see nothing but devastation below. Still they are determined to escape.
What is lacking in this movie is information. Where are the police, the Army, any military unit Why isnt there some kind of evacuation procedure or at least someone in charge The television stations seem to be functioning but no news is getting out. And what exactly do the aliens want
The acting in this movie is by the numbers, with no one being a standout. Balfour and Thompson generate little interest from the audience and the rest of the cast is just there to be fed to the aliens. With just a bit more creativity from the makers of the film and a little more energy and effort from the cast this movie might have been salvageable.
As is, the movie just bides its time until time runs out. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying and the overall effect of the film is in the minus column. So why was it ever made
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence. This is a very lenient rating when you consider the violence involved and profanity thrown about.
If you are looking for a good science fiction film this definitely is not it. You would be better off to rent Alien and watch the skill of that feature than waste your time on this one.
I scored Skyline a high rise 3 out of 10.
