Original and that's rare.

Rating: Null/10 (30 December 2012)

For this movie's budget, it was visually stunning and very impressive. Acting was good too. Plot was totally original which is rare these days. It was a good little movie, moved very fast, slightly absurd and darkly comedic in places. Special effects were top notch for what this movie cost. It ended with sequel potential. Characterizations were decent as later the focus shifted to one human and one alien.
About the only complaint I really had was they never explained the reason why the aliens actually came to Earth and were malnourished. Later, I thought they'd reveal it but it was just a plot device to drive the story. The 20-year timeframe wasn't well delivered either. Unless mentioned, the movie seemed like it moved in a few weeks or months rather than 2 decades. I saw no reason why the aliens had to live in squalor. Plus the language barrier, or lack thereof, was never explained as to how it was overcome as no human ever spoke alien language but could understand them fully. I'll chalk that up as one of the absurdities. Why'd the aliens stay for so long? 'Why' seems to be the big question that's never answered. But I don't think they really wanted to. Needed to, yes, that would've been nice. Wanted to; if they would have, the movie would've been a lot longer and a totally different experience. All the stuff that was left out because the movie moves so fast could be revealed in a retrospective featurette, possibly on the DVD. Then the 2nd movie, if any, could be the return of the alien species; either malevolent or benevolent. Either way, I'd like to know the answer to 'why.' It's the only headscratcher in the whole movie.
That aside, if you're a bonehead, like my friend who calls this flick "cinematic trash," who doesn't understand the type of story the director is trying to tell or needs a simple plot to enjoy a movie, then don't bother with this. You could get lost if your brain is slow because this movie does move very fast and uses very different expository techniques as it shifts from a documentary style at the beginning where the characters acknowledge the cam to traditional methods where you just kick back and watch things unfold. I liked it. Can't say I was expecting what I got and that's a good thing. It's original.