Exceptional film

Rating: 9/10 (15 August 2009)

Saw it last night and understand some of the critiques about the handi-cam footage. I don't think it was overdone or too shaky but I did have a moment of doubt at the beginning on how long it would continue -- setting mood is one thing, a whole movie would have been overkill. I feel bad for the folks that gave up on that and walked out early; once it transitioned into mainstream shooting style the story really took off.
The plot was easy to follow, and was much deeper and darker than I had even hoped. The main character, much more like a real person than a Hollywood character, had a wide range of emotions and his personality wasn't clear-cut or overly predictable. The film gives you the feeling of someone really making decisions on the fly and reacting to the events in the best way he knows how (not THE best way). That might be the best aspect of the film (cookie cutters belong in the kitchen, not the cinema).
The CGI effects were done well enough to let me suspend disbelief and enjoy the story. The alien weapons impacts were definitely intense. Folks will either detest the gore or be awed by it... I was definitely awed and most of the audience at my screening seemed to be also.
Overall, it was thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi, with a lot more story than the average summer shoot'em up. Highly recommend to anyone looking for something fresh and intense.