Mixed Review

Rating: 6/10 (27 December 2009)

So, after seeing this movie, I actually liked it for the first few minutes after it was over. The next though, was a different story as I began to analyze.
First - if you're a sci-fi lover, you will enjoy this movie, if you are not, you still might actually like it due to the hypothetical and theoretical undertones regarding race, acceptance, "What ifs" The story takes a short peak at (What if the extraterrestrials we encounter to the first time and nothing of what we expect) they are lazy, gross, and don't enlighten our society - maybe even less of a race than we are.
So it is even more ingenious that this fill takes place in Johannesburg, one of the most racially and culturally historic place sin our world.
The CGI is absolutely incredible. The story is a little lack-luster, but the special effects are great enough to override the dull story.
The not so great: These aliens in the first few minutes are by far superior in physical strength - but at the end of the movie, they are being pushed around, jailed, and subdued like they can't fight back. I found myself saying "Comon, fight back aliens! 30 minutes ago you were kicking people to the moon and ripping the enemies arms off" - half way through the movie.
Secondly, this race - that is confined to slums typical of Africa - cant' do much put eat tires and jump all over the place. But all of a sudden, one of the members can make a super fuel and also have a supreme plan for getting his race back to the ship - so, 90 percent of the race cant figure it out, but one dude has all the answers - doest make much sense.
Also - the choice for some dork faced actor for the lead role is awful. I had no sympathy for the guy at all - and I lost interest in what might happen to him - I felt disengaged.
This is a good story as it takes a look at racial confliction and hate, and how unaccepting our society actually is - at a 3rd world level - and then adds some alien weaponry.
Still a good idea - but the story could have been enhanced. If Peter Jackson would have been the director, instead of taking a weak producer role - it might have made a better movie.
The alien weaponry is awesome, but th