It is not that often that a well done alien abduction type movie comes out, and this was not one of those times. Im somewhat saddened to say that after viewing the new sci-fi thriller Dark Skies, I feel that I have pretty much lost what was left of my hope for that genre. I am one who enjoys a good creepy alien/u.f.o. movie so I figured I would catch it this evening.
Scott Stewart directs his new thriller Dark Skies. Stewart’s fame comes from Legion (2010) and Priest (2011). Remember those? I don’t, well, I’d like to say that I don’t. Stewart’s background is in the visual effects business. With films like Mars Attacks, Sin City and Iron Man, one would think he might know what he is doing when it comes to visual effects, but directing?
In a nutshell, the film is about a family in a nice suburban neighborhood, who is chosen by some abrasive “gray aliens” for some reason so a possible abduction could take place. Nothing really new in that plot. Isn’t that basically what Close Encounters of the Third Kind or Communion is about? Have you ever seen Fire in the Sky? The thing that really bothered me about this film was the fact that his screenplay takes from other films like this one, mainly Spielberg’s Close Encounters. From the way the lights shown in from out side when aliens were near to the screws un-screwing themselves on their own. The character development was somewhat ok. A struggling young family with two kids who are challenged with everyday life obstacles. You somewhat seem to care at times about what is happening to them when the aliens are not around. And when the aliens are around, you really want more.
So where do the scares come in? What is creepy about this film? It is one of those films that rely on quick scares that all involve a loud noise. I call them “cheap scares” and the film is full of them. For example, when someone opens a door to reveal something strange in the room and then the loud orchestra music explosion, complete with horns and strings.
Was it the worst film ever? No, it wasn’t. Was it somewhat entertaining? Yes, at times. This is more of a Sunday afternoon flipping through HBO channels because there is nothing else on type of movie. I am glad I saw it because I was curious but im not glad that I payed about ten dollars to be annoyed. I think now I am going to watch Close Encounters or The Fourth Kind again in hopes that this encounter is soon forgotten.