Alien Nation (1988, dir. Graham Baker)

Alien Nation (1988, dir. Graham Baker)

What Is It?: A buddy cop/sci-fi hybrid about a new race of extraterrestrials (the "Newcomers") assimilating to life on Earth.

What About It?: Though this is, at the end, just another buddy cop movie, there is interesting stuff going on with regards to immigration and race. Casting questions about fear of the "Other" and of being usurped by someone from outside one's experience certainly wins it some respect for trying. The story is standard 80's cop movie, some good chase scenes, partners bonding, and lots of hammy goodness from James Caan, with the alien skeleton-in-closet stuff coming at the end. Terence Stamp is great as the creepy William Harcourt, an up-and-coming Newcomer who has nefarious plans in store for his fellow immigrants.

Why Should I See It?: Because you like sci-fi movies and sci-fi hybrid flicks (Event Horizon=sci-fi/horror, Serenity=sci-fi/Western, etc). The movie itself moves along and a brisk little pace, winning it some Lost Classic love, and we loved that all of the new alien race seem to settle in LA, fittingly. Gale Anne Hurd produced this one, and she always has a knack for making science fiction films that, while imperfect, are always interesting. Like this one.

What Else Is It Like?: Enemy Mine, V, The Hidden.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 11/30/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?:
Born on the Fourth of July, Boxcar Bertha, Carrie, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Dressed to Kill, Emma, Flatliners, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, Parenthood, A River Runs Through It, Silverado, Swamp Thing.