Reviews May Be Slightly Overboard

Rating: 8/10 (26 August 2009)

Because of my natural skepticism towards modern sci-fi movies, I went into this movie expecting SOME disappointment. I have to admit, I wasn't nearly as disappointed as I expected. However, I've read over a dozen reviews heralding this movie as one of the greatest the viewer has ever seen, and I just can't agree with that.
While I agree the movie offers a unique setting (something other than post-apocalypse USA or a futuristic NYC), it doesn't offer nearly as much insight or commentary into racism and class structures as I had been told it did. Typically when a sci-fi movie lacks special affects due to budget constraints, more effort will be spent on an engaging plot. Although compelling, the plot lacked what I think would make it a great sci-fi movie; a message.
On the other hand, it's tons of fun and very fresh. I love that this is one of the first movies that shows humans welcoming aliens to earth (albeit their attitudes changed quickly) and attempting to co-exist. I also enjoyed the human-like characteristics of the aliens. The story seems to suggest that in a slum-like environment, all species react the same way...leaderless anarchy, broken family structures (few exceptions), violence, gangs, crime, and drug abuse (cat food).
Despite how much I enjoyed the movie, I feel like critics that enjoyed this movie have gone way overboard. It was definitely entertaining and left SOME room for reflection, but on the whole, the movie must be taken for face value.