Good Message, Pretty OK Movie
Yet another movie I had to watch for my college film course. I rank Alien Nation lower simply because it's not the genre of movie I tend to like? I'm not usually a huge fan of these sorts of action/buddy cop movies. They're very trope-y, and this one does hit nearly all the tropes you'd expect. But for a film of this genre, I'm ranking it higher than I would its contemporaries.
The cast is pretty great! I mean, you've got the late great James Caan as a cop and Terence Stamp as an alien villain. That's already two very good casting choices right there. I really enjoyed Mandy Patinkin's performance as Sam/George! His character was the highlight of the movie for me. Most buddy cop type movies I've seen, both cops are kind of assholes. Sam/George is anything but. He also serves as a source of exposition, but I find I don't mind when such a sweet guy is the one explaining it.
My gripe with the movie is also one of its strengths, funny enough. The setting is incredibly interesting! I love this reality, where aliens have been integrated into this era of late 80s LA. It's also a very clear metaphor for immigration, and I think the movie's got some very solid points to make about it. My problem's that since it's an action/buddy cop movie, it's not too concerned with building up that world. It's more focused on its drug-smuggling plot. It's not a bad story, but there's so much more about this world that I wish I could've seen! I've heard there's a TV series, so maybe that goes more into it?
Overall not a bad watch, and it's got a great cast! I just wish it did more with its premise.
The cast is pretty great! I mean, you've got the late great James Caan as a cop and Terence Stamp as an alien villain. That's already two very good casting choices right there. I really enjoyed Mandy Patinkin's performance as Sam/George! His character was the highlight of the movie for me. Most buddy cop type movies I've seen, both cops are kind of assholes. Sam/George is anything but. He also serves as a source of exposition, but I find I don't mind when such a sweet guy is the one explaining it.
My gripe with the movie is also one of its strengths, funny enough. The setting is incredibly interesting! I love this reality, where aliens have been integrated into this era of late 80s LA. It's also a very clear metaphor for immigration, and I think the movie's got some very solid points to make about it. My problem's that since it's an action/buddy cop movie, it's not too concerned with building up that world. It's more focused on its drug-smuggling plot. It's not a bad story, but there's so much more about this world that I wish I could've seen! I've heard there's a TV series, so maybe that goes more into it?
Overall not a bad watch, and it's got a great cast! I just wish it did more with its premise.
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