SKYLINE

US, 2010, 92 minutes, Colour.
Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, Brittany Daniel, Donald Faison.
Directed by Colin Strause, Greg Strause.

There have been all kinds of monster invasion movies, there have always been wars of the worlds. This one opens with a couple waking up to find eerie lights dropping into the streets of LA. Unfortunately, the moderately intriguing premiss which has the man who seems to be the hero being mesmerised and grotesquely transformed by the lights, is interrupted by the device of ’13 hours earlier’. We are introduced to a group of 30 somethings who are uninteresting, self-absorbed, crass, materialistic hedonists (to put it politely). And they (or the screenwriters) have not been to any articulate expression courses so there is nothing arresting here for the eye, the ear or the mind. Some of them behave irresponsibly, sexually, and, as with this kind of American film, they are among the first to be devoured by the monsters.

Because, when we come back after the pre-13 hours interlude, what we have is grotesque monsters seeking whom they may devour (and people falling from the sky as if it were the rapture – actually, one of the characters does say that). A space ship hovers, as from Close Encounters to Independence Day to District 9 they are wont to do. Their aggressive, invading monsters go on the rampage. Some are metallic jelly-fish like, some are like a giant octopus. Others are like scaly, anonymous robocops (who are not unlike predators – and the directors of this film, the brothers Strause, who have a very long list of special effects credits, actually directed Alien Versus Predator – Requiem).

Since the screenplay and the performances are nothing to write reviews about, we have to rely on the monsters, the predicaments, the decreasing cast, the intervention of a very well-equipped air force, some luckless soldiers. And, since the monsters have no personality – it is only in the more interesting epilogue to the film where it becomes a bit more imaginative in a Predator-like way – that we see they are interested in human brains and absorbing them. (And does this mean that they have absorbed these brains before and hence indulge in this kind of mindless violence?)

So, not a very good film at all. The effects are the main thing – and the crisp, shiny photography of the city skyline which gives the film its title. (And New York and London appear right at the end – looks as though the aliens made a co-ordinated, thoroughly invincible attack on earth.)

1. The tradition of the War of the Worlds, aliens invading Earth, monsters?

2. The apocalyptic imagination, the end of the world, violence and death? New life, monstrous new life? The musical score?

3. The vistas of Los Angeles, the skylines, the overview, the buildings?

4. The special effects, monsters, the attack, the spaceship, the variety of creatures, the lights, the violence of the attack, the monsters devouring the humans, the military, the planes, the soldiers?

5. The epilogue, another world, light and darkness, the metallic creatures, the machines, flesh, devouring the humans, devouring the brains, the pregnancy, the transformation of Jarrod? His love for Elaine?

6. The introduction, Jarrod and Elaine, together, the light, the quake, the monsters, the effect? Jarrod and his beginning to be transformed, saved?

7. The thirteen hours previously, on the plane, talk, the visit to Terry and Candace, the actress, the wealth, the party, the plans for Jarrod to move to Los Angeles, Elaine and her pregnancy, her hesitation, the interplay of the characters? The people at the party, hedonistic, self-absorbed? The trite conversation? Terry and his sexual behaviour?

8. Awakening, Ray, seeing the light, going to the light, his death? Going back to Jarrod, the mystery of the light, people being drawn into the light?

9. The theme of survival, the group going onto the roof, shutting out the light, the door being locked, the creatures and their menace? The people falling from the sky, like the Rapture? Walt and his dog, in the corridor, in his room, the dog being taken, Walt chasing it?

10. The people wanting to go to the water, Elaine and her plea to stay, going to the garage, the car, the monster crushing the car, retreating into the building?

11. The large man, his help, his apartment, watching with his telescope, the cigarette lighter, the gas, his killing himself?

12. Candace, her reaction to Terry and his infidelity, her help, with the car, in the building, her being infected and going to the light?

13. Jarrod and Elaine, their personal story, in the apartment, on the roof, seeing the soldiers, the helicopter, the battles, their being overwhelmed and taken?

14. The military, the range of planes, the soldiers, the helicopter and its crash?

15. Day three, the destruction in New York City, London, other cities around the world, the victory of the creatures?

16. The significance of the epilogue, the victory of the creatures, the subjugation of the humans? One possibility of hope in terms of pregnancy and new birth?