51 (2011)

Simply Perfect

Overrated

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Yet another film with an escaped alien chasing people around an underground complex. This one however throws in a couple of changes to the usual formula by having a few different aliens, your two usual killing machines plus one shape changing individual who can take the form of anyone it touches. Just so the film can copy scenes from the Thing as well as Aliens.This is all based in Area 51, where some nosy journalists are invited to look around the non-alien part of the complex. You got your straight laced journalist and the web-based smart arse journalist, looking for the 'truth'. I wouldn't quite dwell on any characters here though, as halfway through their tour the aliens escape and that's when the fun begins.The story might be generic, but at least there's plenty of gore to keep you awake. Folks are torn to bits, shot, have their faces torn off and even have their heads stamped on, so the film has that going for it. It's always quite fast paced, so it'll do as a not bad time waster. Not a lot of CGI which was a good thing. If you skip it, you won't have missed much.

OH.....where to start. This is the worst film in history. I'll attempt to explain why. Without giving the plot away. The script reads like a 12 year old wrote it. The props are appalling and this film takes special effects production back 25 years. I'm sure there is a reused Goonie in there. The characters are pathetic. We have a photographer, given the task of perhaps capturing a world first, using a point and shoot camera, which, in several shots shows not to be switched on. The TV camera woman is using a camera with the opposite anomaly, being permanently on. John Shea spends the whole film secretly smelling his own farts, certainly it looks that way. What is Bruce Boxleitner doing in a film like this? There are a couple of decent acting performances but they are for the most part fighting a losing battle. The lighting is shocking, from the first scene of the reporter, who is woefully over exposed and throughout; people talking on camera in darkness - it beggars belief. The costumes don't escape - everyone is wearing a pristine uniform, which irritates me. The black army dude manages to overact in an unspeaking part - I could go on. Don't lay on your deathbed regretting losing time on this film - when you could be sticking pins in your eyes instead.

Granted access to Area 51, a group of journalists attempting to explore the site's restricted areas are suddenly forced to help the resident patrols help them track down the escaped alien held at facility when it gets loose and terrorizes the base.Overall this one here wasn't all that bad and definitely had some fun to it. When this one gets going with the creature on the loose running throughout the military base is when it really gets the most out of this one with the fact of really generating the absolutely enjoyable stalking and hunting scenes throughout the mid-point in here. There's a big sense of familiarity with them using the motion- tracker devices and the crawling around corners pointing guns off into the distance while the curved spiny tail of the creature pokes through the chest of the intended victim, yet the high-energy action and creepy situations this enters into during these sequences more than makes up for some of those minor issues throughout this part as the film. There's some even more fun to be had from the big action confrontations here along the way with the group going after the deformed creature throughout the upper stages of the base where it really begins picking off the remaining soldiers which allows some great gore and action into the mix along with the rather enjoyable fun of the creature's make-up and costume. While these here give this one a fun time, this one does suffer somewhat when it gets to the rather bland sci-fi leanings in the first half. The scenes of the group going around the base with blasé history lessons that don't mean anything to anyone really makes this struggle to get going, and by also showing the different gadgets and special tools throughout here that showcase the extraterrestrial powers of the creatures here this sci-fi tone in here makes for a rather disjointed time. The aliens battling each other as well isn't all that impressive with them just holding their hands out which looks silly and stupid. Along with the minor familiarity in several scenes, these here hold this one down.Rated R: Graphic Violence and Language.

Due to increasing criticism and speculation from the press and public, the mysterious US base "Area 51" decides to allow reporters onto the premises. The southern Nevada location is rumored to be where captured extraterrestrial beings are secretly held (in a drugged state, apparently). Of course, the goal is to show the world there are no aliens in Area 51. But, while the reporters get one tour, we get another. We see new recruits meet "Patient Zero" in some crosscutting. Patient Zero (crisply played by Jed Mahue) has the ability to assume the identity of any being it comes in contact with, we're told - and, sure enough, the suggested mishap occurs and an alien mutiny follows...In reality, there are no aliens being held in "Area 51". The personnel involved in this story do not convince as able to keep what would amount to civilization's greatest secret. The types of aliens present are likewise unbelievable - beings smart enough to journey here would certainly avoid Area 51. However, this is a good story idea. It would have helped to give some more background about the circumstances involving each alien arrival and attempts to keep the information secret. Instead, the emphasis is on funky music and the kill. The aliens are nicely designed, leading women (Vanessa Branch and Rachel Miner) are cute and photographer Damon Lipari (as Kevin) has the coolest hair.**** Area 51 (2/26/11) Jason Connery ~ Vanessa Branch, Bruce Boxleitner, John Shea, Rachel Miner