Robot Overlords (2015)

So much average

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

When I discovered a copy of this British movie at my local library, I was intrigued because the British film industry seldom makes movies like this. But upon watching it, I found out why the UK film industry seldom makes movies like this. I will give this to the movie - for what had to have been a limited budget, some of the special effects aren't that bad. Some are actually pretty good. The other parts of the movie do have the feel of a limited budgeted British television drama, though that didn't bother me too much. The main problem with the movie is with its script. I could look past the fact that the story seems to have been greatly inspired by the John Christopher "Tripods" books. But this telling of the same basic theme sorely lacks a lot of explanation. We don't really know how this society works, like how people get food or what they are expected to do imprisoned in their homes. It's also never really explained how one of the youths suddenly gets a connection with the robot invaders. If the movie could have gone into detail about things like those, I think it could have been really interesting. Another problem, though, is that the drama is kind of dull. A few more action sequences could have helped, as well as adding some real convincing emotion and character development during the quieter moments. While the movie is a Hollywood blockbuster wannabe, it falls quite short in its aim, and it isn't surprising that apparently no American distributor felt it was worth releasing to American theaters.

For some reason this movie reminded me of a Famous Five story - possible because when I started watching it I didn't know it was aimed at a pre-teen to teen audience, however that soon became clear...Group of kids on an adventure to save humanity from robots that have overrun the Earth and made everyone prisoners in their own homes.Low budget, but surprisingly good effects and acting, story line that flows well, but not much to it and most of the situations the are not realistic.I don't really think this one is for the Sci-Fi fans - there's just not enough Sci and too much Fi!Would appeal to ages 10 to 16 or so, not much of a target audience which is why this film is getting low scores.I give it 6 because it is good for a low budget movie and deserves more credit than it is getting.

"Sean Flynn. You are a fascinating phenomenon." I understand that this film was made for a young audience. Actually I should form an opinion with this in mind. Does that mean that films for a young audience always look terrible ? And must I, as an adult, always judge these movies from that perspective? Why ? "The Goonies", "How to train a dragon", "ET" and (I'm ashamed to say it) "Frozen" are clearly creative products meant for toddlers among us. If I were to write an opinion about these films, this would be a remarkable positive sounding opinion. Youth films can also be entertaining, with a subtle story and surprisingly good looking special effects. But just as "Big Game" this film fails on several levels and even sounding names like Gillian Anderson and Ben Kingsley can't change that.First, there are the pitiful-looking special effects. This is due to the limited,available budget I guess. It doesn't look like a new version of "Transformers". It rather resembles an old episode of the "Power Rangers". Admittedly, at times it wasn't so bad, but most of the time it seemed as if a bunch of "Dinky Toys"-like robots were pasted onto the screen. Not to mention the mastermind that was connected to the whole army of robots. It looked like "Frank" from the eponymous film. This really made no sense at all.But especially the story is terribly childish, incoherent and predictable. The opening text is enormously brief. That made me already suspicious. We're told that three years ago a swarm of robots invaded earth and there was a war that lasted 11 days. Since then (already 1264 days), the whole world gets grounded and everyone gets an implant in the neck so the robots can intervene immediately if someone leaves his house. The choice you have then is to get the hell out of there, rush to your home and get inside as soon as possible. Or get hit by a whopper of a laser beam and vaporize. Because that is the only rule the robots have introduced when taking over earth : "No one can leave his home". This rule applies until the occupiers are ready with their (unknown and according to them innocent) research, after which they will disappear again. Then again, those robots aren't exactly that superior, because they still use individuals, who are known as "collaborators", who make sure everybody obeys and follows that rule. They can even intervene by briefly saying a command in an imperative way, followed by an authorization code. The in anger erupting robot immediately calms down and runs of to take care of other stuff.Instantly I asked myself some pressing questions. How did those house arrested earthlings get food and beverages ? I suppose the weak ones systematically disappear because there's no medical care available? Electricity, water and other utilities will malfunction after a while ? How is it possible that the partying gang can still consume alcohol ? The way the implants can be switched off briefly, is so simplistic that it seems unlikely. And scientists and rational people are seemingly deported first, so that they couldn't come up with this solution. And apparently Mr. Smythe (Ben Kingsley) still doesn't know how the brainwashing machine works, otherwise it wouldn't knock him out all of a sudden. And finally I was wondering who the hell would read the message in those tennis balls, since no one can leave his home.The recurrent fact that's always used in youth films is again applicable here. The youngsters become true heroes after straightening the crooked, threatening situation and thus save the world from further disaster. Once again the adults are just a gang of morons who aren't able to solve these problems in a rational and intellectual way. Sean Flynn also happens to have an incomprehensible force. Live with it and don't try to comprehend it. Also there's the strange fact that the superior robot (also known as the "Mediator") can keep an eye on a whole network of robots, but isn't able to control this individual. I thought this was a bit exaggerated. But it fits in this rather illogical story. Kingsley does not play a memorable role, but he can demonstrate his "wounded self-esteem expression" again. Anderson still looks sensual. There isn't much more to say about her. Sean (Callan McAuliffe) plays the hero. Enough said. Nathan (James Tarpey) is the irritating member of the group. A windbag who turns out to be a wimp when the going gets tough. And Alex (Ella Hunt) represents the feminine gender and is of no further significance (besides a "Sleeping Beauty" moment at the end). The only amusing acting performance is that of Milo Parker as the little Connor. Brilliant how he can overpower a small group of adults just by using flares. And he's clever too ! I didn't know Stannum was Latin for tin.Ultimately, this is a ignorable movie that really aims at a niche segment of the movie audience. It might be a bit too frightening for the really young kids. And a bit too childish for the older kids. And for us adults, it's completely bland and backward. But are you a "Dr. Who "fan and you're hooked on old-fashioned-looking Lego-blocks-like robots, this adventure film for kids might be able to entertain you. However, this was not for me.More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

Having seen a trailer and looking it up here, i hesitated first to go and see it but i finally did and was not disappointed. The story may seem a little thin but the actors and the special effects is not bad for independent film. Ben Kingsley is excellent and you could not tell that he's past 70. Many of the others acts well and i see no overacting. The pace is changing throughout the film and i enjoyed it. I found it entertaining with a good mix of action and humor and not relying too much on special effects but it does feel a bit short at times. I hope this film gets another chance at the video store since i think it deserves more credit then it got on the cinema. It's good acting and good filming locations. Worth watching.