Alien Nation: Dark Horizon (1994)

To me, this movie is perfection.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Here is some interesting information for you and a connection that I may have found. I have first noticed that the writer for this movie was Rockne S. O'Bannon. And I noticed that his father may be in fact Dan O'Bannon who did the movie "Alien" (1979) directed by the wonderful director Ridley Scott. And here's an interesting fact that you may have noticed. One of the main ships in space from which Aporos shuttle came from looks like the deserted ship found in the movie "Alien" that the crew of the Nostromo investigated and brought back the Alien to their ship. Check the both out and tell me and all what you think about the similarities. And both the T.V. series, and corresponding movies, and movie "Alien" are made by 20th Century Fox.

The TV series was brilliant. Never shied away from handling everyday issues in modern day society. The characters and cast, supporting cast included were fantastic. Very disappointingly axed after one season. How crap like Buffy and Angel outlasted this is far beyond me. This movie picks up right after the heartbreaking cliff hanger, 'Green Eyes'. Albeit circumstances are slightly different regarding the end of Green Eyes and the start of Dark Horizon but this is quickly forgotten and we march into an incredible story. Almost all the original cast return (no Dobbs) even George's neighbors! The movie handles it all. Where the Newcomers came from and how they weren't 'forgotten'!! But he one thing I'm so happy with is, even after five years apart the cast still work brilliant together. Anyone who enjoyed the series will love this.

The first thing that has to be said is that if you're not a fan of the Alien Nation TV series from the late 80's then this film will not only confuse you, but the chances are, you just won't like it. That however is not really a problem, as this film was never made with the intention of attracting a new global audience. Dark Horizon was made for the fans that were truly gutted and disappointed that the excellent Alien Nation TV series (like so many other American shows) was cancelled after the first series. The film is a continuation of the series and so sets out to resolve the cliffhanger ending, further character development and give insight into the 'Newcomers' background. It is also obvious from viewing the film that this was always intended on being the first of many TV films.The film itself is quite good. It manages to capture the essence and feeling of the original show whilst effortlessly transferring itself onto the big screen. There is a common danger that when TV shows are introduced to the world of films, they end up feeling like an overly long episode that tries too much to impress its hardcore fans, and tries too many new explanatory things to engage others. However, Dark Horizon embraces it's new format and uses it as a platform to further explore the history behind the 'Newcomers' and to show off some of the potential that the series promised. All the original cast members are back, which brings a smile to any fan. Emily (Laura Woodland) and Buck Francisco (Sean Six) were only kids in the series and so are obviously older looking as it has been five years, yet these little discrepancies have to be ignored. Some fans will point out little things that don't add up to the series, or don't exactly follow on from the cliff-hanger ending, but beggars cannot be choosers and it is the reviewers opinion that we should all be grateful that these films were made, that the cast and crew came back and that they give it everything to continue the Alien Nation legacy.The premise of the film evolves around a ruthless Overseer who is sent from one of their colony ships to Earth, to check for any surviving 'Newcomers'. This is inter-fused with Susan and Emily's attempted recovery from the newcomer killing disease. Like the series, Dark Horizon brilliantly blends the social dramas of family and relationships, with that of racism, police work and all-out action, which in this case involves killer diseases and samurai aliens. The highlight of the film is undoubtedly the relationship between Matthew Sikes (Gary Graham) and George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint). Their cop-buddy routine was the heart and soul of the series and this again shines through within the film. Alien Nation: Dark Horizon is a good film and more importantly an excellent follow up to the short-lived series. If you haven't seen the original Alien Nation TV series, go and buy it right now. Watch it, slag off the TV network for cancelling it, and then immerse yourself in the first of five follow up films: Dark Horizon.

This TV series was made in the mid 90s, but looks much older. The overall story of the alien slaves reaching the sunny shores of California is a good idea and may offer premises for both social comment and good drama. Unfortunately acting is so conventional, costumes and effects so poor that less than ten years after production this movie looks like an oldie. Hard core fans of science fiction (like myself) better watch an old Star Trek. At least, this was the original. 5/10 on my personal scale.