Goonies vs Alien vs Stand By Me *spoilers*

Rating: 8/10 (19 June 2011)

Saw this last night with high hopes. Movie gives what the trailer promises. Starts with a band of kids with the likes of a new Goonies but with a bit of broken home life reminiscent of Stand By Me. Story a bit wayward at times, spending a bit to much time slowly force feeding the viewer with indefinite character development and at times completely away from the surrounding story.
The ever present occupation by the USAF was also weakly written and at some times even silly. not funny silly, rather "Really?" silly. I believe they could have shortened the character development and put more effort into writing about the effects of occupying the town took place. However big PLUS was the portrayal of the focal creature. I actually enjoyed the fact that you really didn't see it till towards the end. Still don't get that with all it's collecting of town resources, how it got the engines out of cars, then closed the hoods without a mark. Finishing with a rather ET moment.
Directing was very good, The kids were great! I thought the crush relationship could have been written better. Something about the diner scene bugged me though.. cant really put my finger on it, but it just seemed to be put in weird, maybe at the wrong time of the film..
This could have been a 90 minute film that 'cut to the chase' a bit more. Supporting roles, Joe's father could have been written better. Alice's father was written well, you wont get that till nearly the end. The USAF roll as a whole really disappointed though, not the acting but the weak presence. AJ and the Stoner were a mild comic relief. All in All.. a good movie that could have been better. but was still worth the admission.