Saturday, September 10, 2005
Flawed Top Ten Alien Abduction Movies
Space.com has a list of what they claim are the ten best alien abduction movies of all time. (Here.) Their pick for best movie is The X-Files: Fight the Future.
I can't agree.
The best of this genre is actually their number 3 pick, the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Body Snatchers set the standard for this genre and it holds up today even though it was made way back in 1956. The themes it developed are as relevant today as they were then.
On the other hand, the X-Files TV series was gripping and many of its episodes are worth a second look, particularly the horror episodes that did nothing to advance the absurd UFO government conspiracy plot. But the X-Files movie was utterly forgettable.
Another flaw with Space.com's list is te absence of the excellent mystery thriller from last year, The Forgotten. That movie starts as a story about a mother who cannot cope with the loss of her young son. But as the movie progresses it reveals itself to be an alien abduction story that presents a plausible explanation as to why the aliens are taking humans and how they get away with it. If you want to see a good movie of this genre, rent The Forgotten and leave the X-Files movie on the shelf.
-tdr
I can't agree.
The best of this genre is actually their number 3 pick, the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Body Snatchers set the standard for this genre and it holds up today even though it was made way back in 1956. The themes it developed are as relevant today as they were then.
On the other hand, the X-Files TV series was gripping and many of its episodes are worth a second look, particularly the horror episodes that did nothing to advance the absurd UFO government conspiracy plot. But the X-Files movie was utterly forgettable.
Another flaw with Space.com's list is te absence of the excellent mystery thriller from last year, The Forgotten. That movie starts as a story about a mother who cannot cope with the loss of her young son. But as the movie progresses it reveals itself to be an alien abduction story that presents a plausible explanation as to why the aliens are taking humans and how they get away with it. If you want to see a good movie of this genre, rent The Forgotten and leave the X-Files movie on the shelf.
-tdr
Labels: Movies, Science Fiction
