Incredible Opening, Ridiculous Ending

Rating: 6/10 (1 July 2005)

The first 2/3 of the movie are quite good except for Dakota's incessant screaming and the absurdity of La Cruise and family being so lucky at every twist and turn. Still, the initial invasion and the challenges that follow are creepy and well-executed. Cinematography, editing and score are all solid. But then the script begins to suffer from myopia and the ending is absolutely laughable. There are aspects of the film that are classic and impossible to erase from memory. But one has to wonder how the decision makers thought the final ten minutes were the best they could provide to the audience. And what's up with so many critics lavishing praise on this film? Honestly, the way the story is wrapped up pretty much negates any of the tension that's been mounting and is far too soft a landing after some of the truly horrific set pieces that lead up to it. Ultimately, it's an enormous disappointment.