Michael's Movie Grade: B+
A very intelligent sci-fi film.
This movie takes place in a not-so-distant future, where a group of aliens have landed on Earth to "help" humans with their advanced technology. Despite these many humans' lives are in ruin as many are out of work and struggling to get by or else becoming completely subservient to the aliens. Unlike many movies about aliens taking over the world, the focus of this film is not on action or humans fighting the aliens. Rather it is a story about regular people simply trying to survive from day to day after the aliens take over. This is a fascinating take and very interesting to see such a situation from this point of view. It also uses this point of view and situation to provide some very intelligent social commentary. Some of this commentary is very obvious, when some of it is more subtle. However much of it is very thought provoking and leaves some real food for thought as you leave the theater. Themes such as prejudice, colonization, voyeurism, propaganda, class distinction, perseverance and the integrity of art are all very much explored here in complex and intelligent ways. However one of the most interesting concepts explored here is how much you can truly give away (including your privacy and integrity in this film) to be financially successful and take care of your family. The film does not offer a clear answer to any of this but it does exactly what an allegory should do by making you take some deep introspection at your own life. The main characters in this film are likable (but far from perfect) and make it easy for us to see this strange world through their eyes. This causes us to be able to have an emotional connection with this sci-fi premise.
This movie has a very weird sense of humor. It doesn't always work and there is definitely more than a fair share of comedic moments that don't work. However the comedic moments that do work are not only funny but laugh out loud hilarious.
As intelligent as this movie is, sometimes it can have simply too many ideas and feel more than a little overcrowded. Also while the main characters are very likable many of the side characters are simply very bland and forgettable.
All in all, this is a very thought-provoking film, which easily overcomes its flaws with a very interesting premise and being very intelligent.
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