Alien Trespass Film Review

1 hr. 28 mins.

Starring: Eric McCormack, Jenni Baird, Dan Lauria, Jody Thompson, Robert Patrick, Jovan Nenadic

Directed by: R. W. Goodwin

MPAA Rating: PG

Rating: ** ½ stars (out of 4 stars)

Some may argue that sci-fi cinema is something destined to be mocked with the intention of paying homage to this particular genre out of reserved admiration and appreciation. Well, director R.W. Goodwin does just that when conveniently satirizing the cheesy nostalgic science fiction ditties of post-war yesteryear in the gently wacky spoof Alien Trespass. Although breezy and sketchy on the easy laughs at times, Alien Trespass does promise to entertain for the sole purpose of its campy off-kilter makeup. Goodwin's goofy-minded narrative does dare to take a nutty gander at the nonsensical exploitative movies that captured the paranoia and imagination of an edgy America during its so-called Golden Age innocence.

Granted that Alien Trespass doesn't have the in-depth bite or insightful ridiculing as demonstrated in the cult-craving Galaxy Quest or the impish decadence of Mars Attacks! Still, it is moderately a viable hoot-and-a-half if one takes it as the innocuous spirit it was intended to be at heart-a silly-minded, lightweight loony look at the sensationalistic B-movies in the fifties that violated the retrospective norms of calmness and order during that imagined "Wonder Bread" era.

Screenwriter Steven P. Fisher injects Alien Trespass with the mimicry of kitsch and "aw shucks" wonderment that gives this movie its off-base appeal. While never bordering on the riotous side of observational naughtiness Goodwin does set a tolerable pace where the film's momentum lets the audience's perception wander in the stiffness of the intentional wooden acting, the anxieties of that particular period and the trivial mood set by jukeboxes and bobby-soxers. The glorious cheapened special effects, polished cinematography, oldies but goodies music, outdated but distinctive wardrobes-all are essential in giving noted personality and spunk to the endearing goof that is Alien Trespass in conception.

It is 1957 and the setting is based in California's Mojave Desert. As the town witnesses a series of meteor showers, Dr. Ted Lewis (Eric McCormack from TV's "Will and Grace", "Trust Me") is a curious scientist that investigates the crashing of a mysterious flying saucer. His interference would prove costly as the strange vehicle snatches him up. Momentarily, he is released but this time an alien named Urp has taken over his body when he's dropped off in town. Soon, the "imposter" Dr. Lewis will embark on searching for one-eyed galactic creature named Ghota (Jovan Nenadic) who's currently terrorizing the region courtesy of his carcass-driven appetite.

In the meanwhile, Ted's "June Clever-esque" wife Lana (Jody Thompson) is having trouble comprehending why her husband is acting and talking so bizarrely. Naturally, she has no clue as to her close encounter with the unsuspecting Urp borrowing her hubby's bodily cavity. Other tidbits concern the town's two law enforcement officers in Sheriff Watson (Robert Patrick) and Police Chief Dawson (Dan Lauria) staging a standoff about what has been occurring with the eerie phenomenon taking place in their jurisdiction.

Elsewhere, Urp's Dr. Lewis meets up with local pretty waitress Tammy (Jenni Baird) via automobile ride and finds this odd-like sensation his is feeling for the fleshy food server (read: Urp is experiencing his hormonal urges for the curvaceous earthling). However, Tammy is no pushover by any means. She will eventually try to keep these two "alien"-ating cads...Urp/Lewis and the menacing Ghota...in their rightful places. Hence, Tammy is the unlikeliest of heroines as she tangles with the human-consuming Ghota. Thankfully, Urp's mission is to recapture the mischievous Ghota and tapping the aid of Tammy is something that was crafty on his part.

Can the tandem of Urp/Lewis and Tammy contain the troublesome extra-terrestrial before he can cause more havoc by munching on the vulnerable townspeople? Also, will Ghota's plan to multiply and be fruitful mean a destined danger for the world as a whole?

The tongue-in-cheek humor is thoroughly realized in Alien Trespass and folks will be in on the slaphappy gag thanks to the bouncy bloodshed and kooky participants that parade around during the makeshift madness. The filmmakers are joyfully strident in bringing back the old-time cliches of 50's horror cinema and putting it under the microscope so that we are recognizing the real value of the inane celluloid classics that helped shape our curiosities in the realm of the unknown. How can one not look back to the instant classics that range from Them to It Came From Outer Space and not have a plastered smile on one's face?

For what it's worth, allow this smirking parody Alien to trespass at any time it wants.