Extraterrestre (2011) Reviews

• An alien invasion takes place at an unknown city in this Sci-Fi/comedy directed by Cantabria director Nacho Vigalondo

  ma-cortes2013-04-01

  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 .

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• Thanks to the bad reviews because I really enjoy this movie for what it is!

  alshwenbear12013-11-13

  Yes, I really enjoyed this..."whatchamacallit" comedy? Black humor…?Fake sci-fi as the background to a forbidden love story…? Because that's what it is, without all the romance, but with all the cheating caused after one night stand. I wasn't disappointed at all, even though the ending weakened for a couple of minutes. To be honest it gave me some smiles, a laugh and a satisfied grin on my face after the final credits. Unfortunately for those waiting for E.T and fireworks… well, change the channel! But if you are a guy that had given up on the girl of your dreams to do what is right, or if you are the girl, who wanted the "other" guy, well this movie is for you. This is one of those occasions when I am more than "happy" because I speak and understand perfect Spanish even if it is from Spain, because the movie is fun to watch after you discard the expectations for little green Martians. The movie is not slow, it just elaborates the proper scenario for the situations and circumstances, it's a story of the absurdities of a particular situation on the first two days of what could have been the antithesis of "Independence Day" (1996). The acting is really good: a little flat for "Carlos" (Raúl Cimas) still, acceptable, and "Angel" (Carlos Areces) does a good obnoxious and insufferable neighbor, Julián Villagrán ("Julio") does a very believable role(I only wish not have seen his nudity!) and finally, I am looking forward to see more of ("Julia") Michelle Jenner's acting work! So, thumbs up to this one, just remember no "E.T" in it, just a couple of explosions.

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• Although Extraterreste means what it sounds like, this Spanish film is more about how four people react to the presence of a flying saucer in their view.

  franceshugg7772013-01-16

  And what makes this movie laugh out loud funny, is that they aren't as concerned about the aliens in the flying saucer as they are that the girl's boyfriend might find out that she had a one night stand (probably after some heavy drinking, since neither can remember if they "did it" or not) with the guy still in her apartment when her boyfriend arrives shortly after they wake and discover the flying saucer. A third comic element, besides the saucer that no one is panicking about, and trying to keep the boyfriend in the dark, is that the weird nerd next door, who wants the girl too, inadvertently finds out about the one night stand, and threatens to tell the boyfriend. How the story progresses from here is what makes it hilarious. What makes it sweet is how the three males involved solve their problem and prove their love for the girl, each in their own way. And what happens with the flying saucer? You'll have to watch to find out.

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• well this was surprising

  dumsumdumfai2011-09-12

  surprisingly good that is. everything works from the setup to the just enough characters, to the 'event', to the turning point, to all the flawed characters, to the length of the movie. ***spoilers*** don't expect to see alien here, it is not that kind of movie. One way to put it is about how stupid unthougthful white lies can snowball, if you don't control it, it can ruin lives. Sounds serious but not really. The movie t is about 5% sci-fi; 35% comedy; 45% human studies of sort; and 15% drama. So everything started small and things escalate slowly - based on emotions of fear, longing and trust amongst 4 lead characters. Doesn't feel stagy (like stage play converted to movie) at all even though for most part it is confined to an apartment. And the director is funny guy - never before seen his movies, but he's good. During Q&A, he answered there's lots of movie where the film title is not defacto explanation of the film, or factual for the matter. As was there a straw dog in Straw Dogs ? Reall reservrio dogs in Tarantino's movie ?

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• Seinfeld in District 9 :)

  michaelmalak2014-03-28

  Seinfeld, meaning Jerry, George and Kramer - in District 9 ----- that's the best way I can describe the atmosphere of this film. It's a comedy. A really funny and original comedy about love, infidelity, deception, and jealousy. ********************************************************************* The ending was a bit weak, but overall great script and very good acting. An ambitious and original project. It would be very hard to find anything else comparable, and that's where its beauty lies - in its originality. The closest movie, in mood, that I can think of is the 1984 "Seksmisja" ("Sex-Mission") from Poland.

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